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Alumnus Dr Alan Crofts, a biochemistry undergraduate at Bangor, went onto seek adventure after leaving the University in 1990.

Having an interest in desert lands from an early age, Alan organised his first independent expedition in 1995 and crossed the Western Sahara desert from North to South (via Mauritania and Western Sahara. Since then, and taking advantage of skills learnt as an Intelligence Officer in the Royal Air Force, he has organised and embarked on numerous independent pathfinding expeditions across the world as well as taking part in a desert survival programme in Jordan run by the Royal Marines. He has been sponsored by industry to path find routes and water sources throughout the Eastern Sahara and the Central Asian Kyzl Kum. Alan is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and has presented at the desert workshop at the Society’s annual Explore congress on a number of occasions.

In May 2024, Alan will be leading a six-person team to cross the Nefud desert in Northern Saudi Arabia by pathfinding a new route across this remote and vast arid area. The Nefud 2024 “Striking the Sun’s Anvil” team plans to be the first to demonstrate the use of alternative power as a viable option for expedition vehicles to transport the team, supplies and equipment across this tough, challenging terrain. As well as using cutting edge solar mat technology to power equipment the team intends to use electric and biofuel powered vehicles in order to mitigate the carbon footprint of the expedition. This is the first time that a remote desert will be crossed using a comprehensive carbon saving strategy.

The route of approx. 700km from Ha’il to Ar’ar is expected to take the team three weeks to complete, through the shifting sand desert. “The Sun’s Anvil” is an area of the northwest Nefud where the sun relentlessly beats down on a vast plain of white sand. Because of the heat, glare and lack of available water, the local Bedouins consider the Anvil as impossible to cross by camel in the daytime. This remote, mystical area is characterised by the mirage and sand-devils conjured from the land by the rising breeze.

The team is supporting the UK Charity, “Action for Stammering Children”. The expedition has been logged with the Royal Geographical Society and has full support from the UK Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and his Royal Highness, Prince Khalid, the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the UK.

Alan very much valued his time at Bangor and in particularly the biochemistry department and went on to gain a PhD York before taking his post-doctoral studies in Baltimore USA.

More details of the expedition can be found at:

Or email Alan at alancrofts928@icloud.com