Prince Harry launches gruelling 240-mile desert trek for injured military personnel

Britain's Prince Harry reacts as he attends the launch of 'Walk Of America' at a hotel in London on April 11, 2018. Prince Harry became Patron of 'Walk Of America', the latest expedition from the armed forces charity 'Walking With The Wounded', and met with three of the British team members. This summer a team of six veterans from the USA and the United Kingdom will walk 1,000 miles from the west to the east coast of America in 14 weeks. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Chris Jackson        (Photo credit should read CHRIS JACKSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Harry has been patron of the expedition in previous years. (Getty Images)

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.”

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 1: Prince Harry poses with Kirsty Ennis, Andrew Bement, Matt Fisher, Alec Robotham, Scott Ransley and Stewart Hill as he meets with members of the Walking With The Wounded team in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace after their latest endeavour, the Walk Of Britain on November 1, 2015 in London, England. Six members of the Walk of Britain team concluded their 1000-mile trek, which began on 22 August in Scotland and continued through the length and breadth of the country to London. (Photo by Heathcliff O'Malley-WPA Pool / Getty Images)
Prince Harry with members of the Walking With The Wounded team in 2015. (Getty Images)

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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.

as Prince Harry joins Walking with the Wounded's Walk of Britain at Ludlow Castle on September 30, 2015 in Ludlow, England.
Prince Harry joining Walking with the Wounded's Walk of Britain in 2015. (Getty Images)

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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.