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Melodramatic title? Not really.
Today while cutting at the front, machete in hand, I unknowingly stepped straight over a muscular, coiled, pit viper. Pete, my sponsor who’s walking with us for three weeks, saw a flicker of movement on the floor, as the viper prepared to strike. The colouring of the brown and black snake is so similar to the forest floor that it was a miracle he saw it.
If you’ve been to the jungle before you might well say “hang on Ed, that’s fairly common” and you’d be right, it must be snake number 200-ish of the expedition.
The reason it shook me so was the fact that it was a reminder of how alone we are here. We have 48 hours of anti-venom with us and so could keep someone alive for that long in theory, but our self-evacuation time from here (if we could carry the third man on a stretcher) would be a week, absolute minimum.
Our insurance is working again but realistically how quickly is our four man ex-special forces team from Ex-Med in Hereford going to arrive? Under four days? I doubt it.
It’s a lottery, and one we’ve accepted that we are happy to take part in, but today Cho, Pete, or I could easily have been bitten. I’m far from 100% sure we would have survived it. Sobering.
We are still without internet and dictating this via satellite phone.
Ed
Thank god it didn’t bite any of you. A very sobering blog.
I hope you are all well and Pete isn’t finding it too strenuous.
As we near Christmas and certain anniversary’s I find it incresingly hard that you are so far away.
Stay safe and hurry home, we miss you!
AML Squeak xx
OMG Ed.
It certainly brings it all home doesn’t it? As Janie said thank God it didn’t bite!
Stay safe if you can
Lynn
I hope you never need to use the antivenom.stay sharp,and I wish you all good luck!
OMG…really thanks to GOD..must be more carefull…ok
HI Ed,
Please watch yourself. Have you recouped from the shock? I am glad you are sharing this with us, it gives you a chance to vent a bit and reflect like you said on the dangers you, Pete and Cho are exposed. Remain alert and patient. Your journey is coming along and you will have a wealth of stories to share at the end.
Beijocas e um abracao,
Marly
Literally, I was holding my breath while reading about he viper’s proximity to you. I know that you both are being careful but please be even more careful.
You are 21st Century explorers equaling early pioneers and discoverers.
Be safe.
remembering Fossett’s book you recommended at Pevas, perhaps that is what happened to him and his son? That is why we use a local guide when travelling in far and strange forrests, can you play any of your recorded music from computer? Try a British march to liven up the jungle & keep the vipers at bay. Best exploring and may tomorrow be safer than today.. CDR Condor
Great story keep ‘em coming
Hi Ed, Cho, and Pete,
Thank goodness you didn’t get bit. We hope that your expedition ends soon. We don’t want you to approach any snakes and get injured. We hope you are eating well. Is Cho’s piranha bite feeling better? If you see any tribes, hopefully they are helpful. See you next week!
http://www.sd25.org/~MarkNoltner/dryden/index.html
So glad to hear you are all ok!
I know it’s a treacherous journey for you boys but know you have many people sending safe wishes.
You are all amazing!
Montse
omg ed are you okay ? you’re doing really well hope you complete your journey… love you courage and your work, come on ED ! harveyyy sandham.
i fancy you ed your a sort
no way i love you so much more im your number one fann ! your a babeee. x
I endorse everything everyone has already written. Be careful wonderful and prescious boy. Much love
Tina xxxx
Spot the spelling mistake in the last one!xx
You rock! I love it! I will show all my students your site tomorrow.
600 plus days. Good show! And on to Manaus for R & R.
Hello Ed and co.
Have just read HELLO magazine where your adventure is featured and logged on to your website.
So glad you had someone who is experienced with reptiles! So glad you are all ok, but what a shock.
Good Luck! Lisa.