Young British explorer embarks on Guyana Kanuku Mountains adventure

Explorer and adventurer Lucy Shepherd takes on the entire width (and more) of the Kanuku Mountains, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Shepherd, who became a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society at 23 and is the youngest council member of the Scientific Exploration Society, will join Amerindian guides to trek east to west across the Kanukus, Guyana, one of the last remaining unexplored wildernesses on earth for non-Indigenous people. Anders Andersen, who has spent many years living in Guyana, is the Operations Manager for this expedition. Andersen has been looking after in-country coordination and contingency plans. Considered to be one of the most remarkable journeys through jungle territory in recent years, the expedition, endorsed by the Scientific Exploration Society, will follow the Kanuku Mountains over 200 kilometres as the crow flies from east to west through dense jungle, beginning at the Essequibo River and finishing at the most westerly point of the Kanuku mountains, close to the border of Brazil. Completed entirely on foot, Shepherd will be joined by Indigenous brothers from multiple Amerindian communities on a journey that is believed to have never been attempted before. The team consists of Lionel James from Surama village, Arron Bernadine from Sand Creek Village and Vivian Smith from Rewa Village. There will also be two rangers to be named by the Protected Areas Commission. The team will have to overcome mountain ranges as high as 1300 metres and navigate dense forest floor, all while staying vigilant to threats from jaguars and Bushmaster snakes on a journey as diverse as it is dangerous.

In a press release, Shepherd commented “I’ve spent the last year preparing and planning for this expedition and the physical and mental challenge cannot be underestimated and will require every ounce of my resilience. But to know I’ll be seeing such remote jungle is an honour and I can’t wait to share what I discover.”
Known locally as The Mountains of Life, on account of the sheer diversity of flora and fauna in the mountains, the Kanukus have been a protected wilderness since 2011, and this expedition is highlighting and celebrating what great things can be done when our natural wildernesses are protected. Having successfully completed a south-to-north trip across the Kanukus in early 2020, it became obvious to Shepherd that this diverse area within the Guiana Shield and the Amazon biome was something that Guyana should be incredibly proud of and Shepherd is humbled to have the opportunity to once again explore its beauty with such a great team alongside her.
Shepherd and Andersen wish to convey their thanks to the Government of Guyana and the several agencies and individuals who facilitated the permitting process, in order for the expedition to commence on schedule and in accordance with the relevant local regulations. Their particular appreciation is extended for the cooperation being given by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA); the Protected Areas Commission (PAC); the Guyana Police Force (GPF); the Guyana Defence Force (GDF); the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, as well as the advice received from Romel Richmond of the GTA and Major General (ret’d) Joseph Singh, himself a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Representative in Guyana of the UK Scientific Exploration Society.
On Monday, Shepherd met with the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller before embarking on her journey.