Two years ago I was introduced to the Kimberley region in far North
Western Australia. If there was an edge of the world, the Kimberley
would be damn near it.

A truly wild landscape that is largely untouched by man. The Kimberley
becomes even more remote in the wet season when it is inaccessible for
months on end, the only access to the remote aboriginal communities is
by air. A savage and inhospitably dry climate means that when cyclones
hit during the wet season, the rivers go from being dry as dust, to
raging torrents that significantly outdo rivers such as the Zambezi
and Nile for volume.

Gorges in the Kimberley are littered with paintings from the oldest
recorded culture on earth and after two trips to the remote area I
have often wondered what the native aboriginals felt when they were on
their solo “walkabout” for months on end.

In February 2011 I will put onto the largest river in Australia, on a
solo expedition. I plan to be the first to solo paddle the mighty Fitzroy
River in the peak of the wet season.

I am no stranger to the river. In February 2010 I lead 10 international paddlers down the Fitzroy and spent 23 days living on the river and recording rapids, notable features and other information that I will use for a successful solo descent.
In 2011 I plan to finish the Fitzroy in 5 days.

Although I will be paddling alone, I will not be doing this just for
my own personal satisfaction. As on previous trips, I will once again
be aiming to raise awareness and funds for the only people standing
in the way of the industrialization of the Kimberley. Although remote
and inhospitable, the Kimberley is home to large deposits of bauxite,
uranium, coal and natural gases.

Click Here for Information on the Enviromental Issues faceing the Kimberley

Over The Course of the Expedition you will be able to hear daily
Satphone updates from Lachie in the Latest Section