a recording breaking adventurer from north wales has claimed the title of national adventurer of the year following his epic journey across landlocked mongolia ash dykes, 24, who is nicknamed the 'lonely snow leopard', last year impressively spent 78 days alone, crossing 1,500 miles of the unforgiving gobi desert and the vast mongolian steppe the prestigious awards are a celebration of the most impressive international adventure, and ash beat 39 other competitors to take the title of wales' top adventurer ash dykes, 24, has been crowned national adventurer of the year for walking solo across mongolia  ash dragged a 120kg home made trailer behind him during his record breaking cross country journey  mongolia is the most sparsely populated country on earth, with just over three million inhabitants  famous english explorer sir ranulph fiennes, who was the first person to reach both poles, commended the welshman, saying his feat was 'an example of great determination' fittingly the award was presented by a mongolian dignitary, at the grand central hotel in glasgow, and the prize given was a traditional mongol bowl and framed certificate 'i thought it was really appropriate as i had walked across his country,' ash said mongolia is the most sparsely populated country on earth, with just over three million inhabitants in its vast land locked 604,000 square miles after 78 days of travelling alone ash became the first known person to walk across mongolia  ash, 24, battled raging sandstorms and crippling heat as he crossed the barren land  battling sandstorms, heat exhaustion and loneliness, ash completed the incredible mission on foot and unsupported, which helped him secure the top award he said: 'i feel humbled to have received the most votes i would like to say how proud i feel and i didn't expect such support from the public' his 'snow leopard' nicknamed was given by amazed locals who learned of his solo crossing and likened him to the resilient solitary creatures who roam the mongolian wilderness the young adventurer received his award from a mongolian dignitary and was given a traditional mongol bowl  ash is currently in the middle of a uk tour called 'ash dykes   breaking mongolia: the lonely snow leopard' for the duration of his mission from the western russian border, to the easterly chinese border, ash dragged a 265lb home made trailer containing food packs, water butts and camping equipment his perseverance even saw him travel 34 miles in one day, walking for 14 hours straight at an altitude of more than 8,000ft since ash left home at 19, he has embarked on more adventures than most people do in a lifetime ash dykes' longest day of walking saw him on his feet for 14 hours as he covered 34 miles  ash said he was humbled to receive the most votes and was surprised by the public support he received  ash's carrier, (left), contained dehydrated food ration packs, a 25 litre water butt and camping equipment  from surviving in the alps to living among a burmese hill tribe, his experiences have led to him becoming a motivational speaker   visiting 10 downing street and filming his own documentary along the way   and he even has a book deal ash is also currently in the middle of a 10 date uk tour called 'ash dykes   breaking mongolia: the lonely snow leopard', which began in march and continues into april 'i am in preparation for my next world first adventure now it is something no one has done before and i will be revealing it very soon,' he said the plucky explorer is opening up his next tour in july or august in northern mongolia source: ashdykescom 
wales 24 ash dykes first
ash dykes, 24, won the prestigious title for wales at a ceremony  he is the first known person to cross the vast country solo and on foot  ash is currently preparing for a secret adventure, to be revealed soon 