Walking with multiple blisters in the blazing heat above 40 deg C on the Mongolian highway. It was simply too much to bear for Singaporean Scott Tay, 25 years old, but nevertheless, he pressed on as he remind himself of his mission – to conquer his own limitations while doing good for others.
Inspired by a story of Briton Ash Dykes, who spent 78 days walking through Mongolia in 2014, and encouraged by his girlfriend, who told him to “give it everything” he had, Mr Tay decided on a similar expedition.
He also decided to use it to raise $10,000 for the Singapore Cancer Society in memory of his grandfather, who died of lung cancer in 2006.
His journey involved walking 800km south from Ulaanbaatar, which took him through some of the planet’s most extreme climates.
Mr Tay chose the Gobi Desert, in northern Asia and the world’s fifth largest desert, for its harsh climate, and he chose July for the blistering summer heat. He decided on a trek of 800km covering about 40km a day, from July 2 to 23.
But the journey, more intense than anything he had ever attempted, took its toll. On day seven, after trekking 243km, he had to stop because of massive blisters and a swollen right foot.
On July 23, Mr Tay completed 802.51km, slightly more than his target.
He has raised over $8,000 so far and is unfazed by any criticism of his motives – for instance, seeking publicity – for embarking on such an arduous journey.
“This expedition is to convey a message to cancer patients and the less fortunate, telling them that there are always people going the extra mile to walk with them during their journey.”
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Source: The Straits Times, 10 August 2017