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WEEKLY NEWS 1: Americans Complete Nile Journey

On Wednesday, April 28, 2004, two Americans completed an epic four-month expedition. They were the first people ever to complete a full descent of the Nile river from source to sea.

Pasquale Scaturro of Colorado and Gordon Brown of California reached the mouth of the Nile on April 28th. That was 114 days after their journey first began. They started at the legendary Springs of Sakala in Ethiopia, which is where the Nile river originates. They finished at a spot by the Mediterranean Sea, into which the Nile river flows. In total the two men traveled 3,250 miles!

The trip took four months, during which the two men and some support crews traveled in two sixteen-foot inflatable rafts and a kayak. In some spots it was very dangerous, because many wild animals--like hippos and crocodiles--live near the Nile river. During their trip the two men filmed their experiences and made a documentary that will be released in February 2005.

The men's journey took them through all types of terrain, including plains, jungles, waterfalls, canyons, rapids and cities. They faced other challenges, too, including being shot by local bandits. They also had to deal with crocodile attacks, exposure to malaria and violent sandstorms.

But despite all the hardships, these men managed to finish their journey at the Mediterranean Sea. They are the first people ever to accomplish a complete descent of the Nile river.

--Written by Carla Shives

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