For the first Scholars' Masterclass of the academic year, scholars and members of the College community were once again delighted to welcome back adventurer, writer and speaker Charlie Walker, who this time spoke about his extraordinary expedition to Papua New Guinea: one of the most remote and challenging places on Earth.
Charlie is no stranger to Shiplake, having previously visited to share his 1,600km trek along the frozen Lena River in Siberia. Across all of his long-distance, human-powered expeditions, Charlie seeks to develop an intimate understanding of the world’s most remote communities, and his Papua New Guinea journey was no exception.
Charlie began by setting the scene of a country that is roadless in many areas, dominated by mountains, dense forests, and rivers, with communities living much as they have for centuries. Papua New Guinea is also famously diverse, with hundreds of distinct tribes and languages, and even pockets of uncontacted peoples.
His own journey started with a setback: he broke his foot just before the trip, forcing him to miss a white-water kayaking course that would have been invaluable for what lay ahead. Despite this, he pressed on, travelling the Highlands Highway - the only major road in the country - before venturing into areas where he relied on guides, boats, and sheer determination to keep going.
In a talk filled with images and videos, Charlie described staying in villages built entirely from natural resources, meeting families who welcomed him into their homes, and learning about cultural beliefs such as the mountain spirits that shape local traditions. He also explained how pigs, a central marker of wealth and status, form an important part of social life in the highlands.
His expedition was not without peril. He dislocated his shoulder falling from a tree, had near-misses with drowning during kayaking sections, and capsized multiple times while battling powerful rivers. Yet the hardships were matched by moments of awe, such as climbing Mount Wilhelm, the country’s third-highest peak, and emerging through the clouds to spectacular views.
The final weeks of his journey were spent paddling downriver, where he encountered stilt villages built to withstand floods, and where hospitality was again extended by people living in some of the most isolated conditions imaginable. After two months, he finally reached the river mouth, marking the end of a remarkable expedition.
In a lively Q&A session, pupils asked Charlie about everything from raising funds for such expeditions, to his favourite past journeys, and where his next adventure might take him. His answers highlighted not only the physical endurance required, but also the importance of curiosity, resilience, and cultural exchange.
Charlie left his audience with a lasting impression of what it means to set ambitious goals and to pursue them, even in the most unforgiving of environments. Thank you, Charlie, for visiting us and we can’t wait to hear about your next adventure!
