Lonely Planet’s Year of Adventures

with Ben Fogle

Saturdays 18.00 from March 10, BBC Knowledge

BBC Knowledge proudly brings you Year of Adventures, BBC Worldwide Channels first ever global original commission. Based on the Lonely Planet book of the same name, this inspirational television series takes viewers to spectacular locations across the world, bringing the adventure guidebook to life on the small screen.

Starring British adventure traveller Ben Fogle, this series follows the fearless explorer as he goes to the ends of the in pursuit of action and adventure, which anyone can do; the world is his and your thrill ride. BBC Knowledge viewers to the most extraordinary and unexpected places on our planet as we watch Ben’s pursuit of heart-in-the-mouth adventure. Ben’s exploits include competing in a 24-hour bike race across the US Moab desert, an off-road race across ’s outback, para-gliding in Italy, diving in Iceland and “coasteering” along the jagged cliffs in Wales. Ben is both guide and crash test dummy as he shows us how it’s done. Episode 1: All Terrain

Alcatraz swim (USA) Rat race (UK) Kayaking (UK)

Anaconda (Australia)

Introduction

In this ground breaking first episode, fearless adventurer Ben Fogle tackles extreme challenges across every kind of terrain in order to prepare for the

world’s largest adventure race in Australia.

Adrenaline junkie Ben Fogle will need strength, endurance and to learn some new skills on the way. His goal is to take part in the world’s largest adventure race, the Augusta Anaconda in Australia – where the meets the Pacific at one of the Three Great Capes on the globe ( Leuwin).

To prepare for this Australian challenge of a lifetime Ben begins his training in California. He throws himself in to the legendary mile and a half swim from the notorious Alcatraz Prison, through the icy waters across San Francisco Bay. This epic swim attracts solo swimmers, racers and military training camps from all over the world. Swimming these deadly waters requires supreme strength against the strong tides and Ben overcomes his fears as he takes to the shark-infested waters for his Alcatraz-style escape.

From California to the centre of , Ben’s next challenge is to take part in one of the world’s most unusual races – an urban assault course across London known as the ‘Rat Race’. This urban adventure provides BBC viewers with a unique experience seeing one of the greatest city’s on earth from a totally fresh perspective. ‘The London Rat Race’ offers urban adventure with unprecedented access to some of the most famous venues in the UK. Featuring a city-wide, eclectic mix of adrenaline, action and adventure on foot, by bike and in a kayak; Ben takes a roller coaster ride across one of the coolest cities on the planet.

Ben’s next UK adventure takes place just off the coast of St Justinian in Wales where he kayaks “The Bitches”. Ben’s training session sees him fighting waves which can reach up to three metres (9 feet) in height near to St David’s; a favourite with rough-riding kayakers. Named for its habit of destroying ships, “The Bitches” offers up an amazing adventure park and water rodeo for dare-devil and confident surfers and kayakers. Ben throws himself into kayaking, tackling the infamous and treacherous white waters off the Welsh coast.

And finally with Ben now trained to the max, he is ready for his ultimate challenge – The Anaconda Adventure Race team event. This gruelling 60km (37 miles) cross country course involves mountain biking, off-road running, ocean swimming and kayaking and Ben is competing in all four disciplines on his own against 1,800 other competitors. The Anaconda Adventure is the largest adventure race in the world and attracts riders from all over the globe who need sheer bravery to take on the challenge, as the course runs along the wild and spectacular South Australian coastline. After six gruelling hours, Ben crosses the finish line after one of his greatest ever physical challenges, but BBC viewers will just have to wait and see to find out how Ben fares in this unbelievable race.

Episode 2: Pushing Limits

Tree Climb (USA) Iceland Glacier and dive (Iceland)

Via Ferrata (Italy)

Introduction

Episode two sees our expert, host and crash-test dummy Ben Fogle tackle his greatest weakness – heights. Ben’s put to the test by scaling one of Italy’s highest mountains without ropes. To prepare he also braves the freezing depths of an Icelandic glacier – and the dizzying

heights of a Giant Redwood Tree.

Ben Fogle steps out of his comfort zone as he takes on three very different challenges.

He begins first by tackling his vertigo head on, scaling one of the world’s largest Giant Seqouia trees along the stunning Northern Californian coast in the Humboldt county, home to the world’s tallest trees. These trees are living giants and are the Earth’s largest and oldest trees, with some towering more than 110 metres (370 feet) high.

Following on swiftly, action man Ben teams up with pal and polar explorer Patrick Woodhead for some team bonding and more practice amongst the glacier fields of Iceland. It’s where adventure addicts gather to climb into crevasses which aren’t for the faint-hearted.

A stomach churning drop below, Ben finds himself being lowered into a freezing sinkhole in an Icelandic Glacier. This arctic expedition also takes in Iceland’s stunning landscape and a dive between two tectonic plates that separate the European and North American .

Ben and Patrick end episode two on an epic high, conquering the dizzying heights of the Dolomite Mountains in North Eastern Italy - without ropes. Battling his vertigo throughout, it’s a journey that will push him to the limits of his technical abilities and mental resolve. The Via Ferrata, literally meaning Iron Path, is a fixed protection climbing route created during the First World War, but now used by climbers from all over the world. Protection consists only of a steel wire, fixed to rock with thick metal bars, with eyelets on the end. Ben’s climbing skills are seriously put the test as well as his fear of heights as he reaches the summit many thousands of metres up, constantly aware of the sheer drop below.

Episode 3: Endurance

3 Peaks (Italy) Coasteering (UK) Moab 24 (USA)

Introduction

Building strength with every challenge, episode three sees Brit adventurer Ben Fogle endure a 17km (10.5 miles) running race through the towering Italian Dolomite Mountains and takes part in a challenging 24-hour mountain bike race through the sand

covered wastes of the Moab desert in Utah, USA.

Ben Fogle is now ready to take on heavy duty endurance events around the globe and begins by travelling to Italy to complete in a race so tough - breathing is virtually impossible in the thin air, as the altitude takes its toll. The Three Peaks Alpine Challenge is one of the most scenic and challenging Alpine running events and attracts competitors from across the World. Ben takes part in the 17km race testing his physical stamina and endurance.

From Italy to the Welsh coast, Ben joins up with his friend and ex-SAS soldier Bernie Shrosbree. Ben and Bernie use their time back in the UK to bond as a team, in order to prepare and ultimately succeed in the 24-hour US bike race. What better way to build team spirit and mentally prepare for the Moab desert, than placing your faith in each other whilst “coasteering” in Wales. This unique sport involves rock-hopping and cliff jumping along the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline. Coasteering couldn’t be simpler than squeezing in to a wetsuit, wearing a safety helmet and jumping off a terrifying cliff. BBC viewers will be amazed as Ben faces up to the dare devil challenge, and a 10 metre (32 feet) jump in to the face of danger.

The main event of episode three arrives in the form of Ben and Bernie travelling to the US to pedal like they’ve never pedalled before. For 16 years The Moab’s unique combination of red rock scenery has hosted one of the greatest mountain bike races in the history of the sport. Ben and his fellow competitors take part in high desert racing, where they must cycle through the sand covered wastes of the Utah desert to complete the 24-hour Moab mountain bike race. It’s a world class course and Ben finds it as scenic as he does challenging as they cycle through the night relay-style to reach the finish line.

Episode 4: Speed

Jet (Czech Republic) Silverstone (UK) Hovercraft (UK) Gascoyne (Australia)

Introduction

The global travel odyssey continues as adrenaline junkie Ben Fogle pushes himself faster than he’s ever been before in machines built for speed across very different terrains. Episode 4’s big challenge sees Ben taking part in the Gascoyne Dash, an off-road race through ’s outback. Preparation for this beast of a race takes place in the form of Ben experiencing the ultimate rush in a jet fighter plane high above the Czech Republic; Ben also learns essential rally driving skills at Silverstone race track in the UK and skids and slides around on land and sea in a sport hovercraft.

Ben Fogle begins his latest adventure by soaring through the skies and pushing his tolerance to G-forces in a military training jet. He travels to an ex-Cold War airbase in the Czech Republic to take a training flight in an L39 “Albatross” jet fighter. On the ground he is taught safety basics including the ejector-seat evacuation procedure. Ben then takes to the air for a stomach-churning sequence of rolls, loops and low passes, which culminate in him almost blacking out at 5G!

Following on at a fast pace, Ben tests out his first ever attempt at high speed handbrake turns on an extreme rally driving course at the infamous Silverstone race track. Ben drives a course of natural obstacles, mud and shale whilst speeding over the terrain of Silverstone’s unique rally course in order to gain the skills he will need in Australia and to pass his rally driving licence.

Skimming from land to water and back again in a racing hovercraft, Ben Fogle next tries his hand at hovercraft racing and attempting to master the art of vehicle control. Ben learns the basics before he’s let loose to slide and power his way around a course, piloting a racing hovercraft and seriously struggling to stay on course. Ben finds himself flying over land and water in search of the ultimate lap time.

And from rattling around in a hovercraft to rattling across the rugged Australian outback – Ben speeds off to his next challenge with a brutal 500km (310 miles) two day off-road rally Down Under. The Kickstarters Gascoyne Dash is where Ben learns to love the adrenaline rush extreme speed gives. Situated between the seaside town of Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction Western Australia (WA), it’s held in the desert by the sea and pits cars against car, and bike against bike. The Gascoyne river rarely flows now so cars and bikes have replaced boats. The Dash is long and tough – a mighty challenge for Ben coping against the brutally hot, dry and inhospitable conditions.

Episode 5: Ultimate Heights

Sky diving (Australia) Para-gliding (Italy)

Canyoneering & Castleton Tower (USA)

Introduction

Ben Fogle finishes his Year of Adventures with a series of challenges to overcome his fear of heights, taking to the skies of Western Australia and Italy, before attempting one of the most challenging vertical climbs ever in the desert of Utah, USA.

Ben’s first ever solo skydive takes place despite his extreme vertigo. Ben takes an Accelerated Free Fall Course (AFF) in Busselton Australia, having only ever completed one tandem skydive. Just days after training with Southern Sky Divers in Western Australia, Ben’s ready for his first solo jump. The course is designed to teach the theory and practice behind the sport of skydiving with ‘Day 1’ involving comprehensive training on the ground and ‘Day 2’ being jump day. For Ben’s first ever solo jump, he’s assisted by two instructions who watch as he performs some basic tasks before pulling his own parachute at 4,500 feet (1371 metres). BBC viewers will be on the edge of their seats as Ben struggles to find his ripcord hurtling towards the earth at 120 miles an hour (193 km/h). It’s a happy ending though, as

Ben parachutes to the landing area safely.

Staying with the theme of high altitude, Ben’s next challenge is to paraglide over the Dolomite Mountains in Italy, in a tandem paraglide with one of the world’s leading paragliding champions. Disaster strikes when Ben suffers serious vertigo at 3,000 metres (9842 feet) and witnesses a fellow paraglider crash into the mountainside, but the day culminates in a long flight over the Sassolungo Mountain and the Marmolada Glacier.

And for Ben’s final test in this final episode, he takes on the dizzying heights of Castleton Tower in Utah, one of America’s classic American rock-climbs. Ben and companion, fellow TV presenter Kate Humble, prepare for the majestic 400 foot (121 metres) climb by going canyoneering in the nearby desert creeks and canyons made famous in the film “127 Hours” Ben’s truly challenged, passing through deep pools of freezing water barely warmed by the noontime sun, squeezing through confined spaces and completing a series of daunting rappels to reach the end of the canyon. With a small water catchment area for this canyon, rain is a serious threat, and a rush of water powerful enough to move boulders could soon flow. The final rappel is a huge 90 foot (27 metre) drop into deep water and Ben’s rope skills are tested to the max.

This preparation is definitely needed as Kate and Ben then face the daunting vertical climb up 400 feet (121 metres) to the top of Castleton Tower, a sheer sandstone tower standing alone in the desert and created by millions of years of erosion. This is not for amateurs and the sheer strength needed to pull yourself up by ropes almost defeats the pair, but the prize at the top is one of the most amazing views in the world.

Ben Fogle Biography

Name: Ben Fogle Birthdate: 3 November 1973 Significant other/s: wife, Marina (children, Ludo and Iona) Career highs: Atlantic Rowing Race and South Pole Race with Olympic rower Famous for: Appearing in the BBC reality show Castaway (2000) Website: www.benfogle.com / www.benfogle.com/videos/showreel Twitter ID: @Benfogle

Ben is an adventurer, presenter and writer. He has hosted a number of hit UK television shows including eight series of the BBC's Animal Park. He also presents Wild in , Wild on the West Coast, , One Man and His Dog and Crufts.

In 2005 Ben rowed the Atlantic with Olympic Gold Medallist James Cracknell, the five part BBC series, Through Hell and High Water, followed their efforts winning an RTS award. In 2009 Ben teamed up with Cracknell once again to race 500 miles on foot across Antarctica to the South Pole, the prime time BBC series, On Thin Ice. Ben's passion for adventure culminated in three series of the BBC hit, Ben Fogle's Extreme Dreams, leading ordinary people on extraordinary journeys around the world from the jungles of Papua New Guinea to the desert of Libya.

Ben has written a number of bestselling books including Offshore, The Teatime , The Crossing, and Race to the Pole. His writing has appeared in a number of leading UK newspapers including , the Daily Mail, and . Ben also writes a weekly column for on rural affairs and is a regular travel writer for .

Ben made the acclaimed BBC documentary, Make me A New Face about the facially disfiguring disease (Noma) in and a documentary about Prince William, Prince William's Africa in which Ben followed the young royal on his tour of . Ben returned to Antarctica in 2010 to make The Secret of Scott's Hut for BBC 2.

Ben currently presents films about Britain's Islands for and has signed a two year deal with NBC News in the US, and is a special correspondent based in UK. Ben’s most recent filming commitments include The Secret Life of Crocodiles in Botswana and Australia for the BBC and Dangerous Roads in with actor Hugh Dennis.

Ben has just finished working on one of his most exciting and exhilarating project’s to date: Year of Adventures - inspired by the Lonely Planet book of the same name. The five part series sees the action-man tackle a series of adventures and challenges in the US, Europe and Australia. As host, expert and crash-test dummy, Ben demonstrates how true adventure is done, transporting viewers to the most extraordinary and unexpected places on the planet.