Korean Completes Solo-Crossing of Taklamakan Desert
Nam Yuong-ho, a South Korean explorer, has successfully completed a solo-crossing of Central Asia's Taklamakan desert on foot.
Nam departed from China's Hotan Prefecture on the desert's southern edge on Oct. 3, walking 450 kilometers over 19 days to the city of Aral on its northern edge in Kazakhstan, Yonhap News agency reported. He returned to South Korea last Thursday.
The 32-year-old said his journey was the first time that a single individual crossed the arid wasteland on foot, although expeditions and merchant caravans have crossed the route using camels or vehicles in the past.
``I can't believe I walked such a tough route,'' Nam was quoted as saying. ``I tried to use my Global Positioning System in the beginning, but Chinese authorities confiscated it before starting my journey. So I had to rely on a compass and the knowledge in my head to cross the desert.''
The photographer and explorer said he plans to embark on another months-long exploration through Asia and the Middle East next year.