Ash Dykes
Learn about Water-to-Go ambassador, Ash Dykes
Ash Dykes is an extreme athlete and adventurer from Old Colwyn. Water-to-Go have been working with Ash since 2014 to help him stay healthy and hydrated wherever he goes. We are pleased to have sponsored him on three world-first expeditions.
“Big shout out to Water-to-Go. With their water filtration system built into their water bottles, this gave me access to fresh drinking water, any place, anytime, anywhere and also helped me to protect the environment by stopping me from using around 1,400 single-use plastic bottles, which cause harm to the environment, during the 352 days.”
Ash Dykes
Ash Dykes is not just an explorer; he is also a Motivational Speaker, Expedition Leader, Author & Ambassador. A man who sets his limits beyond what most would see impossible. Ash is known for his infectious enthusiasm, passion yet dangerous approach to life!
After conquering Mongolia and Madagascar, Ash has just completed his latest expedition which is something that has never been done before. The UK adventurer has become the first person to walk the entire length of the Yangtze River in China.
Following our recent launch in China, this has been the perfect opportunity to help promote Ash’s incredible new venture to a whole new audience. Sustainable travel is an important aspect of Ash’s expeditions which is why the connection with Water-to-Go is so poignant. We are only too aware of the effect that we have on the planet particularly when travelling and Water-to-Go is the perfect sustainable solution to the damage caused by single-use plastic.
Ash is not only a fantastic ambassador but a true inspiration to so many people by showing the importance of pushing your limits, dreaming big, having goals and staying persistent in achieving them. The 28-year-old is set to make history and Water-to-Go are privileged to have been a part of his journey.
“This isn’t an ad, this is a reflection, a proud one too.
@watertogo is my number one item on all expeditions.
I’ve hiked through the Gobi-Desert solo and unsupported, hacked my way through dense jungle, faced HALO and survived sub-zero temperatures.Through all of this, I’ve never had to worry about water, as long as there is a water source near by, this bottle makes it instantly drinkable. I’ve even scooped up mud puddle water in Madagascar and was able to drink it straight away due to the 3-in-1 built in water filtration technology.
If you’re interested in eradicating single-use plastics, protecting our planet and having access to fresh drinking water no matter where you are, even on holidays where you can drink straight from tap water using the bottle, then get yours.
I’m proud to say that during two world-first records and currently on my third – I’ve not needed to buy plastics bottles. “
Ash Dykes
Ash Dykes becomes the first person in recorded history to walk the length of the Yangtze River
It’s official, Ash Dykes has now completed his greatest challenge to date! Ash’s 4000-mile long trek over 352 days has finally come to its conclusion as Ash reached the Pacific Ocean in Shanghai on 12th August. Mission Yangtze is now complete! Ash has previously achieved two other world firsts being the first person to walk across Mongolia solo as well as a 1,600-mile trek across Madagascar via its eight highest peaks. However, this 4,000 mile trek is a massive step up from anything he’s done before. Along the journey, Ash faced a wide range of challenges and environments along the way. Starting in the Chinese Mountains at the source of the Yangtze, Ash faced an altitude of over 5000 metres. This posed potentially fatal challenges such as altitude sickness, sub-zero temperatures and dangerous mountain paths.
Ash would then have to face threats from China’s rural wildlife. He had to navigate his way around bears and wolf packs during the treck, finding bear footprints just centimetres from his tent on some mornings. He also had to manage a pack of hungry wolves following him for long periods of his journey. As he came out of rural China, Ash faced a completely new environment as he started to travel through some of China’s biggest cities. Temperatures were the complete reverse to the sub-zero nights he faced at the beginning of his journey going higher and higher as he progressed. Ash eventually acheived his goal in Shanghai on 12th August 2019 following an incredible almost year-long expedition in which he had to be prepared for anything. During a recent BBC Radio 4 interview, Ash described China as ‘a little bit of every country in one’, following his journey along the Yangtze.
One challenge that Ash would face throughout the entirety of his 4000 miles is how he would get access to clean safe drinking water. With the sheer volume of walking a physical activity Ash would be doing, making sure can stay hydrated wherever he is would be crucial to his mission. He would also need to avoid any waterborne illnesses, which alone in China’s rural environments could be potentially fatal. Thankfully Ash was equipped with his Water-to-Go filter bottle. The Water-to-Go filter bottle is able to filter 99.99% of contaminants from any non-salt water source. This meant that no matter where Ash was he could always rely on water from the Yangtze river or puddles, lakes and even bad tap water to stay hydrated. Ash’s Water-to-Go bottle has now accompanied him on all three of his World firsts.
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#MissionYangtze Expedition
Ash Dykes has recently completed his greatest challenge to date and has become the first person in recorded history to walk the length of the Yangtze River. The expedition saw Ash walking from the Yangtze’s source in the meltwaters of the Jianggendiru Glacier on the Tibetan Plateau to its delta near Shanghai, where it meets the East China Sea. His trusted Water-to-Go bottle was by his side every step of the way meaning he was able to stay well hydrated and healthy throughout his journey. Furthermore, thanks to Mission Yangtze, we were also able to provide our filter bottles to local communities, in order to reduce plastic and provide them with fresh, clean drinking water.
Walking the length of Mongolia
In 2014, Ash became the first ever recorded person to walk across Mongolia solo and unsupported, covering a distance of over 1,500 miles in 78 days. He trekked over the Altai Mountains, through the Gobi Desert and the Mongolian Steppe, all whilst pulling a wheeled trailer weighing 120kg, carrying everything needed to survive. Whilst this was hard going mentally and physically, Ash was able to complete this incredible challenge and stay hydrated by filling up from local water sources without getting ill.
Trekking through Madagascar
His next amazing challenge was in 2016 when Ash achieved his second world record by becoming the first person to walk the entire length of Madagascar’s interior, whilst summiting its eight highest Mountains. An expedition of over 1,600 miles, taking 155 days to complete where he faced many challenges from being held up by the military, contracting the deadliest form of Malaria, crossing crocodile infested rivers amongst much more
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