Who is Ash Dykes?
Ash Dykes is a Welsh explorer, extreme athlete, author and presenter who grew up in Old Colwyn, North Wales. He funded his early travels with jobs such as lifeguarding, then made his name with a solo, unsupported crossing of Mongolia in 2014. In 2019 he became the first person recorded by Guinness World Records to walk the length of the Yangtze River.
- From
- Old Colwyn, North Wales
- Known for
- First walk along the length of the Yangtze (Guinness World Records)
- Awards
- Welsh Adventurer of the Year and National Adventurer of the Year, 2015
- Book
- Mission Possible: A Decade of Living Dangerously (Eye Books, 2017)
- Records
- Guinness lists his Yangtze record plus two team records from Suriname (2024)
Latest from his channel
ShortEpisode 1 of the Congo expedition is LIVE!!
Ash Dykes · Oct 22, 2026
ShortAnother night camping deep in the Congo Basin! ⛺🌍
Ash Dykes · Oct 20, 2026
ShortSomething’s decided to give me a nasty sting out here in the Congo Basin!
Ash Dykes · Oct 20, 2026
ShortWe saw monkeys as we were paddling down, they were swinging from branches on the bank next to us!
Ash Dykes · Oct 20, 2026
ShortDay 14 in the Congo Basin! 🛶🌍
Ash Dykes · Oct 20, 2026
ShortWe were lucky today, very close run in…
Ash Dykes · Oct 20, 2026
Expeditions
2014 · Completed
Solo and unsupported across Mongolia
About 1,500 miles · 78 days
2015–2016 · Completed
Madagascar traverse
About 1,600 miles · 155 days
2018–2019 · Completed
Walking the Yangtze
6,437 km (about 4,000 miles) · 352 days
2023 · Filmed journey
The Great Wall journey
100+ days of filming · 6 episodes, CCTV-9
2024 · Completed
Uncharted: Suriname and the Coppename River
37 days · About 600 km by boat (estimate)
2025 · Announced
Yellow River adventure
About 5,400 km (3,400 miles) · September 2025
2026 · Under way / unconfirmed
Project 6, mission 1: Congo Basin
700+ km on the Sangha River · Inflatable kayak
Shows
- Walking the Yangtze with Ash Dykes — National Geographic Asia, 2020/2021
- The Great Wall with Ash Dykes — CCTV-9; later BBC Player, 2023
- Uncharted Amazon — Prime Video, 2026
- Ash Dykes' Yellow River Adventure — CICC, CMG and Insight TV, 2026 (announced)
In the news
- Millions are watching this man kayak through the Congo Basin — here's what paddlers should know — Paddling Magazine
- Adventurer Ash Dykes tackles China's Yellow River — BBC News
- British explorer Ash Dykes and team set two records in remote Suriname expedition — Guinness World Records
When & where to watch Ash Dykes
Ash Dykes' documentaries air as specials rather than a weekly series; his site lists Ash Dykes' Yellow River Adventure as in post-production, with no premiere date announced.
His most recent broadcast, The Great Wall with Ash Dykes, ran on BBC Earth across Asia over six evenings, February 15–20, 2026, at 9 p.m. Singapore time.
Stream it on
- YouTube — his official channel, linked from his site
- EarthX — Walking the Yangtze programme page
- Now TV (Hong Kong) — all six Great Wall episodes; Hong Kong only, not a US service
- Prime Video — his press page links Uncharted Amazon here; US availability not verified
Availability checked October 22, 2026; services and schedules change, confirm with the provider.
Ash Dykes FAQ
What is Ash Dykes' next documentary?
His website names Ash Dykes' Yellow River Adventure and says it is in post-production; a release date has not been announced.
How many episodes is Walking the Yangtze?
The distributor offers it as two 60-minute episodes or a single 90-minute version — different edits of the same journey.
Is The Great Wall with Ash Dykes on BBC Earth?
Yes — Dykes announced a six-evening BBC Earth run across Asia in February 2026. That does not confirm BBC iPlayer availability.
Does Ash Dykes have an official YouTube channel?
Yes — the “Watch & Subscribe” link on his official site points to youtube.com/ashdykes. He doesn't publish a fixed upload schedule.
Wild10 is an independent fan hub and is not affiliated with Ash Dykes. Facts checked October 22, 2026; videos are embedded from his official YouTube channel. Like adventure TV? See our Alone hub.