Prince Harry launches gruelling 240-mile desert trek for injured military personnel
Prince Harry has launched a 248-mile (400km) walk across Oman for veterans who are overcoming injury.
Harry is supporting this year’s Walking With The Wounded expedition, which will see a team trek between 12 and 13 miles (20 to 22km) a day across the Omani desert, while carrying a 660lbs (300kg) cart.
The trek pays homage to the travels of intrepid writer Wilfred Thesiger across the Arabian Peninsula in the 1940s.
Harry, expedition patron, said: “At the end of this year, a year that has seen unprecedented global challenges, a group of veterans will be tackling a challenge unlike anything they’ve faced before.
“Facing searing temperatures and pulling a cart that weighs more than three times their own body weight, these veterans will need to summon incredible physical and mental strength.
“I am proud once again to support them and support the veterans whose courage, determination and resilience is a credit to all of us who have served.
“To the men and women selected for this team, good luck. I know people all over the world will be cheering you on.”
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The walk will begin on 20 November and end of 11 December and will include part of the Empty Quarter, one of the toughest regions on Earth.
Temperatures on the walk could reach 35C.
The Walk of Oman will be in partnership with the Omani armed forces, and has support from the royal office of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.
The team will be made up of ex-service personnel, who have physical or cognitive injuries, picked up while serving their countries.
During the trek, they will battle hunger, thirst and extreme temperatures, showing the courage of other men and women who have served in the forces.
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In previous years, Harry, 35, has taken part in some of the walks, and spent four days on a trek to the north pole in 2011.
Two years later he joined the team trekking to the south pole, and in 2015 joined the walk of Britain.
It’s not yet been stated if he will join this year’s event.
The team will be followed by a support team, which will be on hand in case of emergencies.
Details of the selection process and expedition team will be announced in the next couple of months.