Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 16: Fishing on the Zambezi

You may notice that there isn't really an abundance of fish in any of the pictures below, that'll be because all we caught today was the Sun. And I'm not kidding.









So, after being in the boat from 7:30 this morning - the lads decide to call it a day at lunchtime and go exploring instead. To where?

Victora Falls.

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 15 - Kicking back to relax

After a long day rafting, we're all back to the hotel to chill out and discuss the days' events. The rapids we faced today were on the low part of the river. According to Hippo the upper rapids may well be open for Monday. So until then, we chill out and relax.

Later that night Brent introduces some of us to the team we're racing on Monday. Oh yes, that's right - did I not mention? Today was just a practice run for the BIG RACE on Monday. Us. vs Them.

...and they are equally as up for it.


But until then? We FISH! :D

Winners Announced

Congratulations to Chris, our fifth challenge winner! He and his friends, Mark, Lee and Paul are getting ready to leave this Saturday to start their exciting adventure!

Read just a bit more about them below – we’re sure you’ll get to know them better as you follow them here on the site through photos, videos, tweets and Facebook status updates.

Chris Greene
Age: 29
Job: Works in IT for Land Rover
Hobbies/Sports: Mountain climbing, Trekking
Anything Interesting: Recently climbed Pyrenees twice in order to accomplish the trip which they had to abandon on the first attempt. In between climbs he climbed Snowdon and was able to complete 5 peaks in just 1 day. by at 5am and finishing at 10pm. He is climbing Kilimanjaro next month with Mark.

Mark Hipwell:
Age: 39
Job: Works in IT for Land Rover
Sports/Hobbies: Mountain Climbing / Walking
Anything interesting: Completed each of the mountain climbs with Chris. Both guys completed these climbs as training for their Mount Kilimanjaro climb next month.
How does he know the winner: Workmates

Lee Chaney:
Age: 27
Job: Steel Erection Engineer
Hobbies/Sports: Plays rugby and rides motorbikes.
How does he know the winner: Old school friend of Chris.

Paul Esherwood:
Age: 32
Job: Runs a recruitment company
Hobbies/Sports: Martial arts
How does he know the winner: Childhood friend

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 14 - They did what?!

So there we are, cruising along the Zambezi nice and slowly, heading from one rapid to the next when all of a sudden some bright spark comes up with the idea of doing a cliff jump...

Yes. That's right. A CLIFF JUMP.

"Oh, it's perfectly safe..." says Hippo "...just be sure to jump AWAY from the rocks."



Well, that's nice and clear then. Jump AWAY from the rocks. Just in case you had any intention of jumping TOWARDS the rocks, here's a nice friendly reminder not to do that.

Just watch this already...

Challenge: Yacht Boat Racing Post 0 - We're on hold!

Yes, yes. Under normal circumstances (me, along with) your Lucozade Energy Competition winners would be winging their way to the Caribbean right about now to take part in the next challenge presented to us all - Yacht Racing.

However, these are not normal circumstances, hence the blog post number '0' I guess.
Basically, word reaches our ears that there is a storm coming and - what with these America's Cup Winning F1 Yachts being worth a few million dollars a piece...

The team at St Marteen have reported that a ‘tropical depression’ (e.g., a hurricane) is due to hit the island mid next week. They are unsure of the severity as yet, however as the yachts the Lucozade Team racing are F1 and of high worth they can’t risk taking them out on the water. The insurance terms are so strict, that even if the weather warning is only mild – medium, the boats still have to be removed from the water 3 days before the storm is due to hit and placed in a safe location.

So basically, the yachts have to stay safe. Damn.
We're currently working with the organisers to re-schedule the challenge for the middle of next month but in the meantime, we're going to push on with the updates from Zimbabwe while we look forward to the next challenge in the competition - Glacier Climbing in The Alps!

Watch this space - more updates to follow :)

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 13 - Time to hit the rapids!

The top top part of the Zambezi is closed (at this moment in time - more on this later) so we're, today at least, only attempting the high numbers

That means rapids 11 through 23. Needless to say, these rapids are just as hardcore as the lower part...

Check THIS out

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 12 - Heading down to the river

Something they don't tell you about the Zambezi is that it's in the middle of a gorge, which of course - you have to traverse to get to.

This video kinda says it all.

WOW.

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 11 - The Middle of Nowhere

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 10 - 6am WAKE UP CALL!

We're to be in the truck for 7:30 where we're to meet Hippo, our Zambezi boatman guide for the week.



Driving through the town we ponder what lies ahead. The anxiety is building and there's a real sense of trepidation as we pull into Savannah Lodge, the place where our guides are to meet us.

Not soon later, we've been briefed and the team are... Well, I'll leave it to them to explain how they feel:

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 9 - Entering Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls is situated along the Zambezi river which in turn separates Zimbabwe from Zambia, you can actually see the falls from either side but the Victoria Falls Hotel is situated on the Zimbabwe side (so not actually Zambia at all then).



So as we cross the Zimbabwe border (MORE VISA FORMS!) you can tell the excitement is building.



James - who if you remember was initially excited about the safari - now just 'can't wait to get there'. The amount of travelling these guys have done over the past 48hrs is immense alone, now we head to the Victoria Falls Hotel...



Our challenge, awaits.....

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 8 - Leaving Namibia

Early start this morning, before our transfer to Victoria Falls (we'll come back to this later - I guarantee) the winners have been scheduled some more safari action - this time via 4x4.



But first, something that is becoming a recurring theme in our time so far here (48hrs now?) we have to cross the border (again) back into Botswana - passport - stamped...



WE'RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF PASSPORT PAGES!

Safely across, we drive onwards into Chobe national park...









...AND A FRICKIN LION!!!!

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 7 - Speedboat Safari

Not too long after 'checking in', Ralph - our hosts tell us that whenever we're ready, we'll be taken back out onto the Chobe River for a 'Speedboat Safari'.

"Its 16:20, can you be ready for five?"
"Er... Speedboard safari? We'll be ready *in* five."

:)


No words. Seriously. No. Words.

Just photos!










Later, after watching the most beautiful Sunset...



...we head back to the lodge, for dinner, chat, laughter and thought ahead to the challenge that lies ahead.

"White Water Rafting eh? Good luck lads' our host says with a grin 'I'd love to just sit and watch you guys try that..."

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 6 - Ichingo Lodge

Tonight we're staying at Ichingo Lodge on the Namibian banks of the Chobe River.

A simple yet beautiful bubble of normality amongst the crocodiles and bush here and Kenny, the competition winner, is happy to show us around...

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 5 - Speedboats a go go!

To Namibia!

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 4 - Four Countries

So yeah, that whole "let's just get to Zambia" thing? HA!

Well first of all, we're not headed to Zambia. ZIMBABWE is going to be our final destination. But first, we're to spend a night in Namibia - more on that later...



We arrived in Zambia reasonably safe and sound, but it was the onward journey that we didn't know about. Our plane arrives in Zambia (fill out visa forms), we get picked up by coach and driven into Botswana (fill out some more visa forms) and then we catch a boat into Namibia (yet even more visa forms).

Before we do that however, we stop at the harbour where, from here - you can see four countries meet, but I'll leave it to our driver, Tiz, to explain

Winners Announced

Congratulations to Jon, our fourth challenge winner! He and his friends, Clare, Trevor and Al are getting ready to leave this Saturday to start their exciting adventure!

Read just a bit more about them below – we’re sure you’ll get to know them better as you follow them here on the site through photos, videos, tweets and Facebook status updates.

Jon Morris
Age: 33
Job: Marketing Manager for an industrial electronics firm
Hobbies/Sports: Windsurfing, skiing/snowboarding, mountain walking, tennis, archery
Interesting Facts: Nothing recent, I once taught the lead singer of Magnum how to do archery, does this count?
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Sailing in blue water and skies, learning how it's done from the pro's
Biggest Fear: Not afraid of anything, bring it on! (except spiders, and hoping there won't be many at sea)

Clare Stock:
Age: 32
Job: Credit controller for an industrial electronics firm
Hobbies/Sports: Pilates, yoga, walking, socialising, spending time with my daughter
Interesting Facts: Giving birth to my daughter a year ago was interesting, but I don't think you want to know much more about it!
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Getting away from grey England and trying something I've never done before
Biggest Fear: Hoping that I can be as much of a team player as everyone else

Trevor Hann:
Age: 36
Job: Travel Industry
Hobbies/Sports: Enjoy travelling, sailing, tennis, football and scuba diving
Interesting Facts: I started learning to sail in Sydney 2005 and have held an ambition to sail across the Atlantic ever since, so I really need the extra practice
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Hopefully winning the regatta and celebrating with some of the local rum
Biggest Fear? Losing the regatta, sinking the yacht and finding out they have run out of rum

Al Lawrence:
Age: 33
Job: House Husband
Hobbies/Sports: Kayaking, Walking
Interesting Facts: Not a lot recently I’m afraid until this!
What are you looking forward to on the challenge? Sailing on an Americas cup yacht!!!!
Biggest Fear? Sea sickness

Challenge: White Water Rafting Post 3 - In Transit

First stop, Johannesburg.



Ten hours of flying South African Airways from London Heathrow whereupon we catch a connecting flight onwards to Livingstone, Zambia. At the time of writing we're on the second leg of this trip. It's about 11:30am local time and in about an hour we're to meet Cornelius, who will be our host and guide for the latter part of the trip.

I say latter, because the first two days we spend here we're going to be staying in Chobe National Park - which, according to the itinerary is...

"located in a unique setting where four different African countries meet, (Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe), the park itself boasts one of the largest concentrations of elephants and buffalos in Africa as well as other spectacular game viewing"...

'Magical' doesn't quite cover it.

I'm going to stop reading the information guide now, I can see what is planned for when we arrive and to be honest, I don't want to spoil the surprise.

:)

I'm glad the winners are getting a couple of days to relax, it looks like the tail end of the week is going to be *extreme*, in every sense of the word.

At this point I would normally write something typically get up and go like 'Bring. It. On.' but as I said, that can wait..

For now.. let's just get to Zambia!



See you all very soon.

Challenge 3: White Water Rafting Post 2 - Say Hi Guys! :D

Challenge 3: White Water Rafting Post 1 - Meet the winners!

Stuart, Kenny, James and Wullie (aka William, not Will. Not Willy. Not Wally. Wullie. Say. No. More.) We're just about to jump onto our South African Airways flight to Jo'burg.

We're headed (back) to Africa for Lucozade Challenge number three: White Water Rafting on the Zambezi.

This set of winners are - as you may've read already - are freshly graduated from Edinburgh Napier University and have already shown that they are well up for it, what with the amount of energy sparking around between the four of them...

It's actually a wonder we made it through customs..!



This is their next big challenge before they break into the big wide world after finishing Uni, so it looks like it's going to be a good one! :)

;)

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 22 - The Journey Home

"Let's roll out!"


Today we ride down the mountain.
Down, down, down, down down down down down down we go!











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There is an accompanying video to go along with this final post from Wyoming, but it seems to be having problems uploading... Stay tuned folks and we'll get it put up as soon as possible...

In the meantime...

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We arrive safely (just!) 'down below' just in time to make it for dinner...
Dinner reservations have been made at Trapper Lodge not far from The Hideout
The food is good, the wine is good and above all... the music is good.

I mentioned before that Llion was a touch shy when it came to being in front of the camera.
But..

When you give the man a guitar...?


VIDEO

Sorted. What a perfect way to end the perfect trip...

Nice work lads, Lucozade Energy Challenge: Cattle Ranching in Wyoming is finally at an end. Cattle Wrangling, Roping, Herding and Driving all COMPLETE.

Excellent work all round.

Remember people!

Do More.

'til next time! :)

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 21 - This isn't on the schedule!

If you're reading this, then you know why you're here.
You're here for the Lucozade Challenge.
The Lucozade Energy Challenge in fact.

The Challenge on this trip is Cattle Ranching. However, this group seem to be set on finding new challenges that simply go above and beyond that of the pre requisite demands.

In my previous post I mentioned the trek to Shell Lake.

But. As much as these photos feed my imagination - these are not why we are here.
Oh no. Shell lake. Remember that?

If you forget - 10,000 ft up in the Big Horns - Shell Lake is many, many things... however, 'warm' is not one of them. So when I talk about the 'extra' lucozade energy challenges that the group - and this part I cannot emphasise enough - that the GROUP insisted on fulfilling themselves was taking a dip in Shell Lake..





Legends.

That night Stewart tells us tomorrow we're riding back down.

"Ok, cool. How far are we driving down first?"
"Aww no, we'll ride the whole way. Head out about 10, we'll get down there for around 4ish maybe? Shower then dinner about 6? What' do you say?"

"Yeah*, dinner sounds nice..."

*Forget every part of the conversation that happened from this point forth, all we heard was six. hours. in. the .saddle."

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 20 - Wilderness Adventure

Today we're riding up into the wilderness. Stewart has told us about a place called Shell Lake, situated some 10,000ft above sea level, it's natural lake hidden away in the mountains some two hours away from the entrance to the wilderness. So we pack up the horses and set off..

We'll get to the good photos in a second but it has to be said that today we say our first MOOSE!

Amazing creature, so graceful...



We unload the horses and start riding, Shell Lake is hidden away up in the Big Horns and it takes some time to reach our destination.
We passed many, many other natural lakes on the way up, including this one that had horse-shaped rocks gently lapping at the water's edge.



Perfect or what?

When we arrive at Shell Lake it's gone 2pm and we're starving. As lunch stops go, this is by far and away one of the best ones yet...