Team Members Testimonials
Who goes on your expeditions?
This is a great question, with no simple answer as our team members are varied, which makes the expedition all the more interesting! Everyone, however, normally shares the following characteristics:
Adventurous spirit – the spirit of adventure is alive in all.
Positive outlook – look on the bright side of life, when the 4x4 breaks down, the rain comes early, the food is very average, it doesn’t affect the mood but adds to the character of the expedition.
Team spirit – Everyone clubs together and helps each other out, whether it be when people are struggling, helping to prepare meals, fetching water, we work together to achieve the common goal, the aim of the expedition!
Active – all are active and fit in everyday life.
Nationality – varied! We have had nationalities from all over the world join us including British, Canadian, American, Australian, Indian, German, Egyptian and Norwegian to name a few!
Mysteries of the Darien, Panama, Mar 2013
Name: Thomas Healey
Nationality: British
Occupation: Insurance Broker
Age: 35
Thoughts: A unique jungle experience which I will boast to friends and family about for years to come. I will never forget walking out of the jungle onto a deserted beach and then diving into the Pacific Ocean. Epic!!
Moa River, Sierra Leone, Jan 2013
Name: Nikki Germany
Nationality: Australian
Occupation: Manager
Age: 41
Thoughts: Loved being part of the Moa Expedition in Sierra Leone. A great mix of adventure and cultural interactions. Excited to have discovered Secret Compass as my passport to great explorations. Can't wait for the next journey!
Ice Caves of the Wakhan, June 2012.
Name: James Jewell
Nationality: British
Occupation: Nurse
Age: 27
Thoughts: Thank you for a remarkable trip that was challenging physically, mentally and professionally. I will gladly reconmend future trips with SC to friends.
Madagascar Coast to Coast, May 2012.
Name: Mohamed Choucri
Nationality: Egyptian
Occupation: Finance
Age: 36
Thoughts: I really want to thank you and everyone at SC for arranging such an epic expedition and making it turn into a great success!! It was a great challenge for me and I will never forget what a wonderful experience it was. Couldn't have made it without each and every member of the team. Congratulations on a job well done indeed!
Name: Helen Spencer
Nationality: British
Occupation: Vet
Thoughts: Thank you all SO VERY MUCH for making the expedition so amazing! A lot of hard work went into the organisation of it all from the SC team and Madamax crew...... really incredible especially without the use of mobiles or any communication whilst on the ground in Madagascar. It wouldn't have been nearly so much fun though without such a great team to keep up moral when things got tough, look after each other in times of need, as well as celebrate in style when necessary! I am really proud to have been part of it all, and so privileged to have been able to experience such a unique and special place that few outsiders have ever been to.
Name: Xavier Aubut
Nationality: Canadian (Montreal)
Occupation: Self Employed/ Business
Age: 29
Thoughts: What else to add ! This expedition has been fantastic a journey during which I have had the chance to meet the most incredible people. This adventure will never be forgotten. Also massive thanks to all the SC team for putting this challenging expedition together ! Very professional work.
Zagros Moutains, Iraqi Kurdistan, March 2012.
Name: Kit Monson
Nationality: Norwegian
Occupation: Hotel Manager
Age: 34
Thoughts: The great thing about Secret Compass is that is attracts people with the same mindset as you, and that always means you get along with everyone on the expedition. And the fact their expeditions take you to the most amazing places, gives you an experience of a lifetime!
Name: Dan Humphrey
Nationality: British
Occupation: Company Founder/self employed
Age: 28
Thoughts: From inital contact onwards I knew I was going on a well organised trip that had been well prepared in advance. This background ensured that that we were free to enjoy ourselves…which we did. Kurdistan is a beautiful and friendly region, with people who opened their hearts to us where ever we went – for me experiencing the country, culture and community made this a fantastic trip. The location cannot be matched, the mountain range we trekked within was a spectacular sight, made all the more special by it’s isolation. Finally and most importantly, the group was fantastic, I cannot wish to have been within a nicer team, that ensured no matter the conditions, location, etc we had an amazing time. This is a beautiful place and definately somewhere that people should attempt to get to. Thank you Secret Compass for giving me an amazing experience that I will treasure for years to come.
Lost Heart of Africa, South Sudan February 2012
Name: Glen Downton
Age: 40
Nationality: Australian
Occupation: Software Developer
Thoughts: In South Sudan in February 2012 we could well have been the only tourists in the entire country! Although to refer to a self-supported trek to the summit of Mt Kinyeti, and then five days rafting an almost-untravelled section of the White Nile, as “tourism” is a bit inaccurate. Secret Compass put together another fantastic remote expedition, this time to the world’s newest country. Once again an amazing and eye-opening experience. It’s about more than just the unspoilt environment, it’s also about getting a completely new perspective, first-hand, on a part of the world. Thanks again guys!
Name: Gareth Conde
Age: 40
Nationality: British, lives in Delhi
Occupation: Soccer Coach and Journalist
Thoughts: “The South Sudan trip was a totally life changing experience, it is very hard to do justice to it in a few sentences. The organization and leadership from Secret Compass was outstanding and I will definitely be doing something with them again in the future. Do not book with anyone else!”
Source of the Oxus, Afghanistan, July 2011.
Name: Glen Downton
Age: 40
Nationality: Australian
Occupation: Software Developer
Secret Compass’ expedition to the Wakhan Corridor in July 2011 was an incredible experience. We trekked in some of the most remote, spectacular and unspoilt mountains in the world; experienced local cultures which are so radically different from our own; and of course tracked the Oxus all the way to Lake Zorkul. Not to mention we made some great friendships with like-minded explorers, and had endless amazing photography opportunities! I consider all of this an incredible privilege, and I’m desperate to spend more time in this part of the world.
