Cape Town - When it comes to walking the talk, former motoring journalist/adventurer-turned-environmentalist Geoff Dalglish can wear his blisters as badges of honour.
And he’s currently earning another badge to add to his collection – although probably metaphorically, as his feet are by now extremely well acquainted with the road – by undertaking a 2 500km 125-day trail from the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, to Salamanca in north-western Spain.
This is to promote the “re-wilding” of parts of southern Europe that is among the goals of Wild10, the 10th meeting of the World Wilderness Congress that starts in Salamanca in October.
Dalglish was one of South Africa’s leading motoring journalists until his Damascus moment when he decided to devote his life to helping protect the planet and its wild creatures and places.
It started with a promise prompted by a tree that saved his life while he was being chased by enraged elephants, he writes on his website.
“Intuitively I knew that to move and expose myself was suicide, instead sheltering behind the tree while trying frantically to quiet my ragged breathing and hammering heart.
“Elephants have notoriously poor eyesight, although perhaps it was my solemn telepathic vow that saved me. ‘If I survive,’ I silently promised, ‘I’ll devote the rest of my life to serving Gaia Earth and all the amazing diversity of life she sustains.’ And that includes us often-reckless and selfish humans, who are an integral part of the natural world, rather than imagining we have dominion over it.
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Having by his own calculation already walked more than 10 000km to promote his message about the need “to tread more lightly and lovingly upon our Earth”, Dalglish jumped at the offer to be the “walking ambassador” for Wild10.
The World Wilderness Congress is an initiative pioneered by the doyen of South African environmentalists, Ian Player, and his Zulu mentor and friend, Magqubu Ntombela.
Dalglish is currently hiking the Trail to Salamanca that was officially launched in Geneva on June 2, and various local groups and individuals are joining him to explore and celebrate the return of wildlife along the way.
The 2 500km route is taking him across six European countries – Switzerland, Italy, France, Andorra, Portugal and Spain – and through the “Great Ecological Corridor” that links four major mountain ranges – the Alps, Massif Central, Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Range – en route to the Wild10 venue.
The organisers of Wild10 explain that this route was chosen because millions of hectares of land here are no longer being used for farming as the younger generation opts out of the lifestyles of their forefathers.
“At the same time, the land is becoming wilder. But there is nothing like empty spaces (and) species such as wild boars, chamois, deer, wolves and lynx are recolonising. Many of them have not been so numerous for many hundred years, creating a wilder face of the European countryside,” says Vance Martin, founder and president of the Wild Foundation.
“But this is creating a new, economic opportunity for land owners and local communities that, so far, has hardly been explored in Europe. In the US today, wildlife-related recreation – wildlife watching, sports fishing and hunting – is creating a turnover of more than $145 billion (R1.4 trillion), or almost 1 percent of the gross domestic product.
“It’s time for Europe to wake up. The Trail to Salamanca will help people across Europe to discover this new opportunity – for the planet, people and prosperity!”
And Dalglish adds: “The walk is a celebration of a wildness that can still be found – if only we look – even in a densely populated continent like Europe.”
Soon after he started, he reported experiencing “a kaleidoscope of new faces, inspiring visions and breathtaking landscapes”.
“Walking at the time-honoured pace of pilgrims, we pass a beautiful landscape just 50km from Geneva, that is visited by thousands of city-based nature lovers in search of the wild presence of ibex, chamois and marmots.
“Lammergeiers soar on thermals high above and I’m reminded that these bearded vultures were almost extinct in South Africa during my childhood, and are among the species enjoying a healthy comeback.
“We’re enjoying a visual demonstration of how humans can successfully partner with nature to the mutual benefits of both…
“So many amazing people from around the world have joined forces to ‘make the world a wilder place’ and I felt awed and humbled by their love and commitment to this beautiful Earth we share with such a diversity of creatures.
“Seeing their passion convinced me that we can partner with nature to achieve the goals of Wild10.”
Last week, he had already reached the French Midi village of Montreal.
“I feel that familiar surge of excitement and recognition as I spot the scallop shell emblem that tells me I’m again on part of the Camino de Santiago – the first long-distance pilgrimage walk to be awarded Unesco World Heritage Site status for its historical and spiritual significance,” Dalgleish wrote.
“For a while… I’m not only following in the spoor of wolves and other wildlife migrating across Europe’s Great Mountain Corridor, but (also) walking in the footsteps of seekers who have followed more than a dozen routes that converge on… Santiago.” - Cape Argus
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