Alastair Humphreys and Leon McCarron Completed Trek Across The Empty Quarter

Adventurers Alastair Humphreys and Leon McCarron have completed their 1000-mile (1600 km) long trek across the Empty Quarter, arriving yesterday in Dubai. After spending nearly six weeks in the desert, the two men finished their expedition at the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which had to have served as quite the contrast to the environment they had been traveling through.

The Empty Quarter, or Rub' al Khali, is the largest sand desert in the world, stretching out across much of the Arabian Peninsula. This vast and largely unexplored section of the world covers parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, spreading out over some 225,000 square miles (583,000 sq. km).

Inspired by their hero Wilfred Thesiger, who made two famous expeditions into the Empty Quarter himself, Alastair and Leon set out in early November to explore that desolate place for themselves. Lugging all of their gear behind them in a cart that weighed 250 kg (551 pounds), the two men were able to navigate across the desert, using Bedouin watering holes to refresh their supply of drinking water as they went. Their no frills, grassroots approach to adventure has paid off, as they were able to make the crossing in a completely self supported way.

While out in the desert, neither Alastair or Leon shared much about their experience. Now that they are home however, that is likely to change. Look for updates to both men's blogs to find out what it was like for them on this amazing adventure.

Congratulations to both Alastair and Leon for a job well done. Now get home in time for the holidays boys.