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Ed StaffordFeat: Trekked for 859 days from source to sea on along the Amazon River In a time when there are few great expeditions to still be completed, British adventurer Ed Stafford found one. On April 2, 2008, he set out to travel the entire length of the Amazon River, from source to sea, on foot, a distance of more than 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometers). Along the way, the explorer faced hostile locals, drug runners, disease, lack of food, and a host of dangerous animals and insects. He also picked up a companion, Cho Rivera, who joined him on the trail for much of the trek. On August 9, 2010, after 859 days in the field, the journey was finally complete when Safford and Rivera plunged into the Atlantic Ocean, bringing an end to one of the most difficult expeditions in modern times. In the Field: April 2, 2008 to August 9, 2010

—by Kraig Becker

Photograph by Keith Ducatel

Ultimate Adventurers 2010

Ultimate Adventurers 2010: See photographs of the best adventurers and feats of 2010.

June 16, 2010
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