Mark Evans has been leading purposeful expeditions to the polar and desert regions for more than 40 years. In 2005 he was cited by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth as a Pioneer of the Nation for his work in outdoor education, and in 2012 was awarded the MBE by Her Majesty for his work using challenging outdoor journeys for peacebuilding and learning.
In 2016 he led a team of Omanis to become the first people in 85 years to retrace the first crossing of the largest sand desert on earth-the Rub Al Khali, a 49 day journey on foot and by camel from Salalah to Doha; in 2022 he completed a 28-day east west crossing of Saudi Arabia in the 1917 footsteps of explorer Harry St John Philby and in 2025 completed the 30-day Jewel of Arabia Expedition in Oman, the patrons of which were HRH The Prince of Wales, and the Crown Prince of Oman-see www.jewelofarabiaexpedition.com
His current project involves a 70-day solo kayak expedition along the 3,165 km coastline of Oman in winter 26/27, from the Strait of Hormuz to Yemen see www.oman3165.com
Gathering eDNA and acoustic records as he goes, a key aim, as well as working in close partnership with the RGS education team and Durham University to engage with schools, is to support Oman’s efforts to shift shipping lanes further offshore to create space for the endangered Arabian Humpback Whale.
In March 2028 Mark will be walking with Saudi explorer Reem Philby, and camels, from Baghdad to Mecca along one of the most significant and ancient pilgrim trails in Arabia, crossing a desert known by the local Bedouin as the anvil of the sun.
Sessions at Explore Weekend
Saturday
3.30pm-4.30pm: Planning Desert & Savannah Expeditions
Sunday
2.20pm: Integrating education and learning into expeditions; why do it, how to do it, and how it helps!
3.30pm-4.30pm: Creating Educational Resources
