Helen Thayer has had Indiana Jones-caliber adventures, but her story will likely never be captured on film because she’s a) female; and b) elderly. Too bad, because Thayer’s tale of her epic 2001 walk across the Gobi Desert in Mongolia could be an amazing movie. For now, her well-crafted book Walking the Gobi: A 1600 Mile Trek Across a Desert of Hope and Despair will have to suffice. Thayer’s dream to walk the Gobi began when she was a schoolgirl growing up in New Zealand and became captivated with the concept of the desert environment. It took half a century for her dream to become reality, and Thayer was admirably prepared for the journey. She and her retired pilot husband, Bill, began planning 5 years ahead. They flew to Mongolia to travel, make contacts, and study the language. They mapped out a route, hired a pilot to bring supplies at two points along the way, and rented two camels to carry their gear. Then, a few months before the trip was to begin, they were in a car accident that seriously injured Thayer’s leg. Rather than give up, the 63-year-old became more determined than ever to complete the trek and decided to walk with the pain. Her fortitude and positive outlook—plus a delightful humorous streak—carry Thayer through the months of 100+-degree desert heat, encounters with smugglers, incarceration by hostile border patrol guards, overnight visits with generous and hospitable Mongolian nomads, and finally an unexpected disaster that spells almost certain death for the couple. Thayer’s longtime passion is bringing her discoveries to life for schoolkids, and you can find out more about her Adventure Classroom program here.
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