Inexperienced Tour Guide's Mistakes Lead to Death in the Sahara

This is the wild story of Alan Cooper and the 1955 Sahara Desert drive. Check out this other wild adventure! 🛑 • Overconfidence Leads t... 🛑
Alan took a group of 3 strangers on a drive from Africa to England. He was overconfident and refused to listen to others advice. That turned this epic adventure into a story of tragedy and survival.
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[@Cocktailkatze]

I have family in the Sahel desert region in Burkina Faso and Niger. On top of everything mentioned here I just want to tell everyone something to keep in mind if you attempt this. The desert robs you of your cognitive ability. The heat literally makes you dumb. When I’m out during the day it feels like a dream sometimes and my thoughts only clear up after a long time in a building with AC. Plus the insufferable headaches ! You literally become like zombie.

[@lacountess]

This. I once visited a dry salt lake in a desert and it felt like my mind was in another place. It could be the uniformity of the landscape, the eerie silence punctuated by wind, the extreme heat, or a combination of all those things.

[@Zodroo_Tint]

You literally don't became a zombie. Zombies literally don't exist. Literally.

[@elpatudo3670]

Heat stroke.... literally

[@terraplane1116]

@@Zodroo_Tint They wrote 'like' a zombie. Jesus; do you really think the world's that desperate to hear from you?

[@e-curb]

@@Zodroo_Tint Figuratively

[@GodiscomingBhappy]

What a perfect example of a grandiose narcissist..... never trust others better than your own judgement. Great story.

[@k_j_n1242]

💯💯💯

[@peppepstep9542]

I think the opposite lesson is applicable…at every turn Alan trusted his own judgment over that of the people who lived in the Sahara, the French authorities, and the objections of his passengers

[@paulbriggs3072]

@@peppepstep9542 Quite so!

[@paulbriggs3072]

No mention that any of them ever prayed to God. In his hand is the life of all mankind.

[@skateboardingjesus4006]

@@peppepstep9542 That not the opposite. That's what the OP said.

[@I_luv_french_fries]

Wow, lost count on how many times my jaw dropped at Alan's horrible choices. Fantastic adventure story.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Same when I was reading about him.

[@eucliduschaumeau8813]

It would make a good drinking game. Drink every time Alan does something to undermine their survival.

[@jimshelley8831]

Why didn't the rest of them just tell Alan way before NO.

[@GoodieWhiteHat]

You’d think they’d have all ganged up and drove the hell back when they found out he didn’t take the stove like he said he would, then searched the gear to see what else he lied about. Conmen have got some mad ability to excite others into doing things against their better judgment, it seems.

[@paul9156c]

​​@@jimshelley8831Because narcissists are pathological liars good at convincing others that they should be trusted because they are very stable geniuses. When you consider the average IQ is 100, this means it's easy to find gullible people who will follow.

[@michaelbiggs1254]

Most people know an Alan. They are to be avoided.

[@skylined5534]

Look up a British bizarre comedy programme called 'Modern Toss' and a character called Alan 😂

[@shawnkilpatrick4839]

In my life even they are right occasionally like a broken clock. This guy puts in the extra effort to be wrong even more than that. Like a student who gets every multiple choice answer wrong it's actually impressive.

[@newgabe09]

ya reminds me of that guy who 'bonded' with bears and got eaten alive.. also his girlfriend...

[@alidaweber1023]

70F here. I've met more than one.

[@xochilguevara3429]

“No shovel” would have been my tipping point.

[@Itried20takennames]

This story is like the recent “See No Evil” movie, where a couple keeps being polite to and going along with another pushy couple, despite their growing red flags. Not a victims fault, but after the 4th red flag with someone….best to just bail.

[@abrahamedelstein4806]

Oh, you wouldn't have gone off with the truck after the moron scraped the oil pan open and proceeded to fix it with adhesive, braver man than me.

[@EShirako]

@@abrahamedelstein4806 Yeeeah, that would have been my "Nevermind!" moment, but also finding out about the stove would have been a huge red-flag moment too, but the first time they got stuck in the sand and had no sand-mats would be the point where the next TOWN that we passed through, I would get out if I had to jump out the back or a window if Mr. Arrogance couldn't be convinced to let me out. There's no way they wouldn't have been stuck AGAIN at some point, and Alan Cooper had repeatedly proved himself to be uniquely-incapable in many regards.

[@Alsatiagent-zu1rx]

Inventory checks should be done by two people with no monetary conflicts of interest. @@EShirako

[@ThatTaRaGiRL]

​@@Itried20takennamesNO honey, not the 4th. I have seen to many of these stories, the FIRST would have been the biggest because he didn't have sufficient supplies, despite everyone else's warnings, everyone else who had more experience and wisdom. This guy let his ego and greed kill him and was perfectly fine with it putting everyone else's lives in jeopardy!

[@pozzee2809]

I like how he painted the cars roof white and then put the roof rack.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Ha good point! 😂

[@cyb3rDracul]

my thoughts exactly lmao

[@Zodroo_Tint]

Probably didn't think through what he want.

[@GeminiMoon926]

My thoughts exactly 🫣😂

[@funwithphobias]

Ha, great observation!

[@shinywarm6906]

My brother in law owns a vintage Morris Traveller. Once every 6 months or so, he spends about a week preparing it for a 50 mile road trip to keep it in running order. If someone told him he had to cross the Sahara in it, he'd have a stroke.

[@JackAttak]

Honestly one of Alan's craziest choices was not bringing any oil for the car. These old British cars would leak and burn oil from the factory.

[@jguenther3049]

@@JackAttakYes, and it would have helped if he hadn't bottomed out and scraped a hole in the crankcase. I drove a Morris Minor with "the big engine" (1000 cc) for several days. The electric systems were prone to multiple failures, too. In the UK, Lucas Electric was known as "The Prince of Darkness."

[@Dilley_G45]

@@jguenther3049 I watched the series about the downfall of the British motor industry and quality is a big issue

[@primesspct2]

@@jguenther3049 I was wondering why I had never even heard of this cool old car!?

[@matthewjenkins1161]

@@primesspct2 Who has not heard of the Morris Minor??? Designed by the great Alec Issigonis who went on to design the Mini (ADO15), Austin/Morris 1100/1300 etc (ADO16), Austin 1800 (ADO17) and more. First production car to use rack and pinion steering. "Prince of Darkness" moniker comes from the USA I believe, where patriotic folk have always feared "exotics" from Europe. The quality issues of the British car industry started in a big way in the 1970s with industrial action, from unions seemingly intent on destroying their members jobs. Even today one of the most commonly seen classic cars still on UK roads.

[@AmityAmy]

At 17 I might have followed but I met someone like Alan and now, not a chance, he's the Stockton Rush of the desert.

[@paul9156c]

Mad Mike Hughes

[@gregoryabbot420]

Maybe Alan Cooper and Stockton Rush are an example of reincarnation?

[@tootsie3612]

Yup. I commented on that guy, but I couldn't remember his name. I called him the submarine guy. The both of them, were absolutely insane.

[@TheCosmictadpole]

I came here to say this!

[@Tina06019]

That’s a great description of that guy Alan.

[@shawnaweesner3759]

I’m sure Alan did NOT feel any guilt, whatsoever, for anything he did to any of these 3 people. I love your storytelling! You have a wonderful gift.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Maybe at the very end, but the fact that he wanted to keep going after he was rescued blew me away.

[@whitedragoness23]

I have to agree, mentally he wanted to keep going until he couldn’t. I don’t know if he grasped the severity of traveling in the desert. It’s no game and I wished the whole group had refused to go on more. It seemed like he would cave in and listen to them more if they had been assertive. He may had grumbled about it but he probably would of been forced to take better actions such as not being separated.

[@jennypeek5441]

I felt most sympathy for Peter, to have done some reading on such a trip and yet understandably defer to the adults. I can't imagine being stranded in either sea or desert, though the sea frightens me more.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Yeah poor Peter! He knew what was up early on.

[@sandpiperr]

Given that it was the 1950s, I'm sure he also gaslit Barbara quite a lot when she brought up safety and logistics concerns. I can just see him having the "who does this broad think she is?" reaction to very rasonable questions and concerns about the trip.

[@yzer]

Especially with how little money he probably had after paying Alan. Bailing out at a small village without a clue how to get back

[@snowangelnc]

I remember at age 17, having it drilled into my head that my peers and I think we know everything but in reality we know nothing and need to trust the adults in our lives because they are older and wiser. As hard it would be for those adults to believe because they were convinced that we were hardwired to ignore whatever said; I actually listened to that advice and followed it. Actually, a lot of us teens did. Now that I'm in my forties I've made the discovery that being the older one in a disagreement doesn't automatically make you the one that's right.

[@i_love_rescue_animals]

I'm just so glad Peter and one of the women (sorry, I forget if it was Barbara or the other woman) survived. So sorry for the one woman who died. But for Alan - he won the Darwin award. He was probably ADD, maybe narcissistic and who knows what else. But his choices and decisions got 2 people (including himself!) killed - and only by a miracle did 2 survive.

[@SeldomAloof]

“Mix of charisma and carelessness” was a great description

[@adventuresgonewrong]

He was SO charismatic, really sucked people into believing anything!

[@vanzell1912]

Beware of the man who uses only his tongue to get through life.

[@Jonah-720]

Me when Alan finally dies, “good, now maybe the others actually have a chance” 🙃

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Aw poor Alan, he just wanted a grand adventure! But yeah, poor Freda. :(

[@theresachung703]

@@adventuresgonewrong Right?!!! How can one person be so wrong?

[@tombombadil3185]

I have very little patience with stupid. If I was forced into a situation like that the heat would not be what killed Alan.

[@anthonybasiliere9366]

Exactly!

[@bettyegilliam]

It’s hard for me to understand why they kept doing what he wanted when they had so much proof that he was not to be depended on.

[@cinnamongirl5410]

It's such a maddening thing to suffer a fool. I'm surprised the group didn't take him down and leave him under the sand to save themselves after they got into the desert early on. The writing was on the wall very early on.

[@k_j_n1242]

💯💯💯

[@k_j_n1242]

Right. Why the hell did they continue to follow this guy, very nearly to their doom. I always, always listen to my gut. Nothing can sway me from my own internal risk gauge. Some risk, sure... Life and Death at the whim of an imbecile... categorically, nah!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Part of it was their gender/age dynamics. In the 1950's, women didn't speak up and question men as much as they would now and a teenager definitely didn't.

[@iskuhiboyadjian3495]

So many red flags!!!

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

@@adventuresgonewrong I do not think this women had any problem with speaking up... not sure if people in those days would murder as easily as it seems people these days, but the bigger issue was, very few could actually drive. as bad of a leader as he was, it is unlikely that the other two could accomplish the feat of getting to safety without Alan, once they were stuck, she sent him away which was likely a death sentence... remember, they believed someone will come looking.

[@wendysmith6372]

I never heard this story, but wow. I never could understand people like Alan, who always think things will just work themselves out. Naive and wreckless.

[@Marionna811]

Naive and wreckkess he was alright.... Also naive and wreckless where the ones following him .. even when it was getting obvious, that this isn't safe and ill prepared....

[@pavlinas3422]

Exactly! I never believe this kind of people with important things

[@angusmurray3767]

Wreckless! LOL!! You mean reckless! Your spelling is reckless!

[@jguenther3049]

Alan was barmy in the crumpet, 'e was.

[@gregsmith6756]

Isn't that what we call a teenage mentality? "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it" type of mentality.

[@chocksaway100]

I have met a few "Alans" over the years they generally have small private incomes ,just enough to get by on ,grandiose ideas ,and work shy, avoid at all costs.

[@davidhoward4715]

Yes.

[@user-uu1gk4ed1c]

Oy! My name is Alan and I found your comment most insulting, sir. But mmm I am work shy and I do have my own income and...wow! 😂

[@poetcomic1]

I knew an "Alan" years ago with a 'bucket list', grandiose ideas, and worst of all a 'Mrs. Alan' who had to walk on eggshells all the way to her destruction.

[@kristengottula9337]

That Alan... what a piece of work. Glad the kid survived, I wonder what became of him. Kids should hear this one, its great example of unpreparedness and recklessness. Excellent storytelling as usual AGW!! I choose desert!

[@jimbeau2692]

I did some Googling and it appears that Peter (53) and Barbara (76) were still living in Kenya when the book was written in 1991. Another article written in 2015 makes the same claim, but since Barbara would be 100, I'm assuming they just cut and pasted the fact from the earlier article.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

I found Barbara's obituary, she died a few years after the author interviewed her.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Interesting seeing the desert vs sea options lol!

[@jguenther3049]

I'll take dessert, instead.

[@gaebren9021]

I felt for Freda who died. :-(

[@bold810]

The Narrator all bundled up with a Desert background is grimly funny

[@adventuresgonewrong]

And it was -20C outside when I filmed this 😅

[@MareMarMarie]

She DID said at the beginning it surprisingly gets cold in the desert! Must’ve been one of those days. Side note: I do love learning little tid bits of trivia like that. I knew it could get cold at night but didn’t know about those cold spells. 😊

[@Duckling08]

Stranded at sea by far. So sad his lying caused innocent people to die. Never trust a stranger without verifying for yourself! Thanks for sharing this story!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

It's definitely a good lesson to know who you hire for these things!

[@davymckeown4577]

This story reminds me of the Monty Python sketch about the English, visually impaired mountaineering expedition to climb both peaks of Kilimanjaro. In fact Cleese and Chapman had a greater chance of success. Great storytelling, I love how you described Cooper.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Haha love Monty Python.

[@dontwanagivit1860]

Ha, haven't seen that but I feel I must find this skit now :D

[@Kalivahcide]

Ugh I KNEW Alan didn't register them! I think these people are afraid that alerting the authorities or taking precautions is the "easy way" and they should "rough it" as much as possible. The thing is, nature has a great advantage over us. We need all the help we can get when we adventure in her domain.

[@littleblackcar]

They don't want to be accountable to anyone. Rules and safety regulations are for suckers and sheep.

[@ak22gml85]

It seems not even a case of wanting to rough it. More of a feckless man determined to make some money out of his reckless plan and not wanting the authorities to thwart him by insisting on proper preparedness for such an unforgiving terrain. Can’t blame them as they’re the ones who have to go out and rescue nutters like him.

[@frankey2356]

The reason he didn't register them was that he knew the Authorities would have laughed in his face & said "Cross the Sahara in that?! Non Monsieur"

[@Maggie-tr2kd]

This story just goes to show that before embarking on an adventure like this, each person must do their own due diligence and listen to their own wise intuition. It seems as though Barbara was on the right track with her early questions and some of her early observations but somehow each of these travelers succumbed to the idea that Alan was experienced and would take care of everything. What an interesting adventure story gone wrong !

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Alan was SO convincing. As I was reading the book, I didn't know the ending so when he came back barely alive with the trucks and was trying to convince them to keep going, I was "Noooooo, don't go!!!!!" 😅

[@biazacha]

I think the time period also played a part; when you had to go after books to get any deeper knowledge the idea of “authority” had more weight. Now anyone could Google and do their own research, be in contact with others during the trip on the few places signal is present… not saying people couldn’t be as naive, but their options would be bigger.

[@Nannygoat]

No. I would not have followed that crazy man. Good story. Wow.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Good call, same here!

[@juliajohnson6022]

That author pretty much summed him up.🙌🏻. Wonder how Alan got the money for the vehicle? Barbara, was wondering what else Alan had lied about. “Well, quite a lot, actually, Barbara.”😮😢

[@Dilley_G45]

Yeah that last town in Niger before they left for the actual desert....I would have parted

[@ascensionvaldes1412]

🤦🤦🤦🤦

[@princesssolace4337]

Especially in a Moris Minor😂 .... at minimum a Land Rover, 2CV, Jeep in a 1 unit company, NOT to cramp everything/everyone in one vehicle

[@Kyoto_Ed]

This would make an awesome movie. It could start with the kid at home being harangued by his Mum for not having any direction, and this adventure could be what turns him into a man with purpose. Title: "Lost and found"

[@adventuresgonewrong]

It really would make a great movie.

[@cherfromtn8225]

Reminds me just a little of the young man who lost his life in that Titan sub. He didn't really want to go (allegedly) but his aunt thought it would be a good idea. The son went along just to be with his father, I think. Sad choice. I think he was only 18.

[@Alsatiagent-zu1rx]

I read a book in the 70s about several people who took a multihull out to sea. During a storm it turned turtle, upside down. They cut a hole on one of the hulls and lived inside. One of them was a religious nutter who began secretly sabotaging supplies as a show of faith to God. They survived and wrote an account of the disaster. @@adventuresgonewrong

[@GypsyGirl317]

​@@cherfromtn8225 yes, that was tragic. 😢

[@teijaflink2226]

I was surprised there doesn't seem to be a movie about this, it really was like a movie.

[@frankostmann]

We have been traveling in Botswana sand with a Landover. We noticed a Volkswagen kombi driving the same road. The secret for not getting stuck all the time is: in loose sand they drive on half deflated tires. It catches the sand in the sentre of the tire so the wheels don't sink into the sand. When driving on hard road inflate again

[@NickanM]

Smart! I've never heard of that, but it is logical when I think about it!

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

It doesn't "catch the sand in the centre of the tire". What it does is creating a larger contact patch to the ground, so that the weight of the car is displaced over a larger area. Like walking with snow shoes. However this puts more wear on the tire, so it only works in slower speeds and on loose ground.

[@margiewinslow872]

Twice someone came along when I got stuck in sand. Chile and the Outer Banks of NC. They helped half deflate the tires. Worked like a charm. But don't drreinstated. On a road before getting the tires reinflated.

[@Petra44YT]

Which also requires you to have a pump with you. I'm not sure Alan would have ...

[@andreamiller3097]

The way my jaw dropped and I literally gasped at the end with the reveal that Alan never registered the vehicle. Like I honestly should have seen it coming, but I did not. RIP to both of them.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

I was wondering if I was being too obvious about it early on, apparently not! Some got it, some didn't.

[@newgabe09]

@@adventuresgonewrong Well I can feel like a smartiepants in my comfortable chair but I 'knew' he hadn't registered when he rushed in saying hurry hurry...

[@Elderly-Marian-in-UK]

I've had a bossy passenger insist I kept on driving when I wanted to pull over and take a nap. I'd been driving for hours across country and I was so tired that it was dangerous for me to drive. However under extreme duress I continued driving and hated every moment. That person was a bossy selfish arse just like Alan. It taught me not to obey others when their demands don't feel right. It takes something like this to teach you to stand your ground regardless. Shame those who died because of Alan were browbeat like I was. Bless them. Thanks for a good story. Your content is great. Xxxxx

[@esecallum]

should havetold him to get out and walk.

[@steveshea6148]

what you do is make a rest stop, then leave without them while they are inside. They are a danger to you with their constant urging to do stupid things, which requires willpower to negate, instead of using that mental power to perceive things clearly and make good decisions.

[@earnold1896]

Only one died, Freda (plus inept Alan).

[@zoey6088]

Hubris, hubris, hubris. It never ends, does it? 🤦‍♀️

[@adventuresgonewrong]

He was a bit cocky.

[@judyproffitt5708]

Hubris definitely.. and maybe a solid case of ADHD!

[@michaelcliffe562]

I would say he was a narcessist of the worst kind.

[@sovereignjoe5730]

This Alan character sounded like a complete maniac. I think that the moral of this story is to get to know someone really well, before potentially putting your life in their hands?

[@annakeye]

Allan reminds me so much of Stockton Rush. He of the infamous and doomed submersible, Titan. No matter how many warnings, and how many educated people tried to give him good advice, he did not care. The ego can be a beast of a creature to reign in for some people.

[@Dark_Asteroid]

Agree. Also, it reminds me of the woman who just died on Mt Everest.

[@MusgraveRitual]

It's amazing that Sahara is on this planet, but it's like a completely different planet. I would never venture in. Those temperature oscillations are crazy! Mr. Alan is also crazy, but even more crazy are the parents of a 17 year old kid who sent him off into the Sahara with 3 older strangers. What in the..??? He actually sounded like the smartest and most pragmatic in the group. Glad that he was found and survived. Great story!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

I bet Peter's mom regretted it after that!

[@757Princess]

It was a different time for sure 😅

[@GypsyGirl317]

It was a whole different era, and was considered normal back then. Most people were basically decent, and it was definitely a different time! 😅 I'm a 1957 baby, grew up in the 1960s and 70s. It was a much more innocent and naive era for sure. ❤

[@TXMEDRGR]

Oh my goodness, what a tale. It is horrific and sad for Alan and his passengers and I'm glad at least two of them survived. Alan brought it on himself but he is still a pitiful figure. I would rather be stranded at a luxury resort with a no-limit credit card than in either the desert or at sea. Thanks!

[@katesmiles4208]

Aw spoiler alert!!!! 🤣

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Never come to the comments first here!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Now that option at the luxury resort is one I'll suggest next haha

[@jguenther3049]

@@adventuresgonewrongWho does that?

[@user-ut6nu8ey4j]

The test drive would have been my "no thank you, I changed my mind" moment😅

[@judyproffitt5708]

Fascinating adventure story .. well illustrated and narrated, as always! Nooo .. I would have left that horrible road trip at first opportunity, after traveling 14 hours/day and seeing how unprepared Alan was!! Thank Heaven that Peter’s young life was saved at the last minute. 🙏🏻

[@adventuresgonewrong]

And it would be absolute torture to get stuck that many times. I had to leave out so many other times they got stuck or this would have been 2 hrs long.😅

[@robinputnam2569]

I am so glad you told about this "Adventure Gone Wrong" because it is such a cautionary tale about knowing who you are going with and making sure they are qualified to get you there safely. I would have to say the desert, i get sick at the thought of being at sea...☺

[@Kualabear02]

During the 1950’s and 60’s this particular vehicle was the car of choice for the many district nurses that pootled around the towns and villages of the English countryside. Not the first choice for a Saharan adventure.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Interesting!

[@juliebrady8583]

My Mom had one. We pootled around Birmingham. Not suitable for the desert or anywhere not paved as far as I'm concerned.

[@jguenther3049]

They were about the cheapest thing on four wheels.

[@skylined5534]

​@@jguenther3049 They really weren't. We had one, a traveller. Great little car and did plenty of impromptu 'green laning'... The chunky Colways helped out there though 😂

[@jguenther3049]

@@skylined5534 On this side of the pond, they were. I actually drove one for a day or two, a shop loaner from the dealer.while my MG was being worked on. The dealer's son used to drive the Minor instead of a Jag.

[@troutfisher7182]

If it weren't for Alan's arrogance, and his moronic lack of preparation, that trip could have been a total blast, and the trip of a lifetime. I like the thought of women back then, having the pluck to go off on an extreme adventure with a reluctant teenager tagging along. I just wish they'd both survived. I wonder about Peter's mother encouraging him to go off with a stranger who ran an ad, on such a trip.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

It was really cool of the two women and a teenager to have the guts to go on this trip, they were all true adventurers!

[@skylined5534]

Even a little moggy like used if prepped properly could have made it. We are of course talking an extensive service with a spares back up pack, tools, chunky tyres, a lift kit and some heavy duty drive line components. Pretty much the standard for not so suitable cars made suitable for extreme adventures.

[@eyetrollin710]

I wouldn't cross the Sahara unless it was with a very large Caravan or preferably a nomad group that knew how to survive in the desert

[@adventuresgonewrong]

I would only go with the nomads!

[@dontwanagivit1860]

Poor Frida Taylor, I feel so sorry for her. 😢 Alan sounds like he had adhd but it's no excuse for endangering the lives of others. I'm glad that Barbara the flying worm expert survived though :D

[@jguenther3049]

There was definitely a screw loose. ADHD crossed my mind.

[@whitedragoness23]

@@jguenther3049what makes you think ADHD would cause Allan to make poor choices and be stubborn?

[@mikaross4671]

Adhd? No, he was a grade A male narcissist. He thought he knew better than anyone else

[@nukeputin420]

As someone with ADHD, no. This was textbook narcissism.

[@CraftyLurex]

It’s a miracle Alan made it to the age that he did.

[@denlaf]

I love your narration SO MUCH! Your sense of humor, research, and focus on the people are the best!!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Thanks, I really enjoy everything about it so having people watch and enjoy is worth all the work!

[@philipdee1415]

No way....'fail to prepare ....prepare to fail'...very sad story extemely well narrated. Well done...

[@ZebaKnight]

Alan had a fatal combination of character traits. He found people whose own character traits led them to join him on this deadly trip to nowhere. If there is a lesson here, it's for those who might be drawn into a scheme by a person like Alan. Alas, there is no getting through to someone whose nature is impervious to sensible cautions. I'd rather be stranded at sea (assuming that's where I'd be taking my last breath). Thanks for telling this chilling story so well.

[@mynameISsky]

We were offered a safari trip out into the Saharah when we were in Siwa, Egypt. After my adventures in the Arabian Desert I don't leave sight of "land" anymore- so we turned down the trip to the dunes.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Ooh it would be SO tempting.

[@paulperry7091]

The first car I was in, was a Morris Minor, in 1955, as a child. I would not pick it for rough terrain - it aws so gutless that my grandfather had to reverse it up some hills, to get the lowest gear possible. And this was on major roads!

[@Woodman-Spare-that-tree]

My father had a Landrover . He had to start it by turning a starting handle ! Or sometimes we got it going by pushing it downhill.

[@dianadenman5637]

I love a good adventure.....but I only trust myself for my own safety. After this guy was caught once, twice then three times, lying I would have put an END to association with him. No way do you want to go on a life or death adventure with a liar in charge, regardless of how "charming". Thank you for your videos! You're a great storyteller and the cases are fascinating!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

I actually thought as I was reading it that they were going to go back out there with a half-dead Alan in that piece of crap car. I kept telling them "Don't go back out! Don't trust him!!!!" 😂

[@thexxit]

The moment I knew he didnt have a shovel, I would have stopped. I know hindsight is 20/20 and we can never know the exact circumstances that would cause 3 rational people to follow a madman but what a story! So many opportunities to realize something wasnt right. Great retelling.

[@BreakingFreeOffGrid]

Those poor people! They saw the red flags but unfortunately listened to Alan anyway. Great story as always!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

He was soooo convincing!

[@strattonskier7229]

I would have walked away from Alan after the first rest stop.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

And 14 hrs of driving a day! No thanks!

[@MrGoogelaar]

Going with him after putting the car into the bank on the first test drive was stupid.

[@oldwomanranting]

Staying n the hotel sounded like the answer, the only real answer.

[@kimberlycampbelllmt2960]

Getting stranded in the desert seems more terrifying than being lost at sea. Good storytelling.

[@veganatheist2126]

Dang I would have hopped on that bus! The driver must have quietly told Alan that his car wouldn’t make it. Cuz if the 3 passengers heard that they might have made a different decision….one of many missed opportunities to bow out.

[@myragroenewegen5426]

This is the sort of story that's well worth a full length documentary with dense interviews of everyone involved and expert context given at each step. It would be very engaging. I'm surprised Barbara didn't turn back earlier, since she mostly survived on her grounded instincts here and often challenged Allen at all the right times, but that may speak to how scary it is to reach out to a stranger to get you to safety when you don't know then, and also to what kind of manipulator Allen was. I feel especially bad about Frida, from the way this story is told here. She seems to have had the least knowledge or suspicion of the risks before things really went off the rails. It's incredible to me that two of the travelers survived. The dangerousness of this trip is pretty overwhelming. Also, the incredible usefulness of the nomad peoples in trying to steer these folk well and then noticing and reporting their distress symbol deserves the recognition it gets here. It shouldn't be surprising that they know the dessert best, but their notice of the lights really is the ultimate sign of that. Also - - there are two truck drivers in this story both of whom you just long to hear the reactions of, the first one and the one of the French rescue team.

[@unHingedOYT]

Wow what a story and the way you tell it too you’re amazing ❤

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@FeatheredLegs]

I love your storytelling! This is also a good reminder to trust your instincts. The first incident of getting stuck should have been a sign, as well as the lack of Alan’s preparedness.

[@cyb3rDracul]

and the fact that he kept getting stuck by the oil drums would've pissed me off no more than he already had with his decisions lol

[@mayav927]

Here’s a tip from a hobbyist mechanic: low oil = no lubrication for the moving engine parts = friction build up = it starts ripping itself apart. If you hear knocking (called a rod knock) you’re too late. In many cases, the engine is toast at that point.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

I think most of us know (except for Alan!) that knocking in a car is a really bad thing? But maybe not. Are you surprised the car kept going as long as it did?

[@mayav927]

@@adventuresgonewrong oh yeah. Mine is very finicky. If I started to hear a knock probably shoot something out of the engine block shortly after.

[@claudiabeckercb3]

You are an amazing storyteller 😊 I was surprised at how obedient they all were although they new Alan was constantly making the wrong decisions. They should have left him in that town in Niger and find another way of travelling back to England. Glad I found you here on KZbin 😊

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Welcome and thanks for watching!

[@KarenSmith-pc8ji]

Wow! That story was breathtaking. When you started describing Alan, the buffoon, I thought, hmmm he sounds like someone I dated once… ONCE only, being the operative word. I am a very cautious adventurer and I am diligent about checking credentials, etc of any guides. But even so I once had a local dive master (in another country) that literally almost got everyone on the dive killed during a night dive. Have fun but just be careful out there y’all! Since you asked, I’d rather be lost at sea than in the desert. And you? Thanks for bringing these amazing stories to everyone. Great job!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

It's a tough one but probably the sea! At least there is the possibility of rain there.

[@KarenSmith-pc8ji]

@@adventuresgonewrong That’s a good point. I’d rather float away to meet my demise than to bake in the sun on a hard desert floor.

[@ludar399]

Oh no,not me,I am afraid of big water .

[@em84c]

​@@adventuresgonewrongand you could catch fish and even eat them raw if you had to. And you would have more chance coming across other people eventual in the ocean than the middle of a desert.

[@mfsperring]

Never heard of this one before and it is was very intriguing. May have to look for that book now. Thanks

[@adventuresgonewrong]

It was really good! The author actually met Barbara so he was able to talk to her firsthand about it. There are many more interesting tidbits in the book.

[@mfsperring]

@@adventuresgonewrong well that seals it I'm going to look it up after I walk the dog.

[@susanbartlett-ye6476]

Wow, a true miracle Peter and Barb survved...

[@nokibin9676]

This should be made into a movie !

[@adventuresgonewrong]

I agree!

[@JadedBelle]

I'm sick in bed and this come out at a perfect time. Always excited to get these notifications. Thanks for making such riveting content!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Good timing, thanks for watching!

[@TheNadinucca]

Get better soon!

[@mikew3194]

Ugh me too, get well stranger.

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Same here, I hope that you recover soon...

[@petalgirl9960]

I swear these videos just keep getting better. Keep ‘em coming!!!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Thanks, I try haha!

[@mariannehettinger]

wow. kudos to your telling of the story which happened so long ago, yet it became vivid as if it was happening now. I'm so glad the kid survived and it turns out, the gravest danger was Alan, who had lied to his passengers over and over, not bringing the stove, mats to get out of sand when stuck and enough oil/ spare tire etc and too much stuff packed. His irresponsible, reckless, and selfish behavior cost one of his passengers her life. Terrifying and thank God the young man flashed the lights which ended up saving him. Is he the one who wrote a book about it? Thank you for another riveting story so well told and so detailed! I neither want to get stranded in the desert or at sea!!!

[@ll1881ll]

I sleep well at night after listening to your interesting videos. Knowing that I haven’t been subjected to any of this disaster.

[@skatedd2451]

An Australian explorer drove a DAF 360. From South Africa to England.. back in the 70s well-known Australian explorer Alby Mangels quite an Adventurer

[@sjoanie]

Love your story telling!

[@MrOlgrumpy]

As an Aussie who has travelled across the centre of our country in a 4 x 4,preparation,adequate supplies,tools,spares,radio and notifying police at departure and expected arrival is common sense,Alan committed murder/suicide by neglect. Thanks for a well composed story,I'm looking for more.

[@HemiChrysler]

I've suffered twice from heatstroke. It's completely disibilitating, an experience of exhaustion, nausea, vomit, and migraine.

[@kimstephenson3876]

As always, a well written and excellently presented story. Such a harrowing tale! A couple of years ago I drove my van around the edge of Death Valley in the U.S.A., and that was plenty close enough to a desert adventure for me! Although I did enjoy the wild burros...so cute and so bold! But as for me, I'd rather be stranded at sea!!!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Team Sea!! 🙌

[@oftin_wong]

What a perfectly unsuitable car to take for such a journey

[@michaelw2288]

It was common to drive the Cape to Cairo route using small, light 2wd vehicles such as 2CV.

[@skylined5534]

Just about any car can be suitable for extreme work. What was 'perfectly unsuitable' was the preparation or therein lack of regarding every aspect of this doomed trip.

[@africadreamin]

Well done, what a great but tragic story, in late 2001 my son and I took an old abandoned LandRover from the Gambia back to the UK via the western Sahara, the Sahara takes no prisoners, you mess up and you pay the price, fortunately we are both engineers so we did our own repairs, the number of abandoned vehicles told their own sad story.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Sounds like a fascinating trip!

[@sydneyturner2334]

In 1970 I went to Morocco in a Ford transit minibus from the UK, I was 20 years old , what a trip . The tour leader wanted to go in to the Sahara to an abandoned foreign legion fort. It was August boiling hot no a/c and got lost in the desert, ran short of water, looking back it was a very unprepared trip and dangerous. The star filled nights in the desert were amazing We never did find the fort but we did discover some very kind people along the way. After that trip I appreciate how vital water is for survival, even to this day I take water with me even if it’s a 3 hour trip on the highway. Interesting story, great video

[@tonyrichardson2637]

taking a Morris to the Sahara is enough madness for a lifetime. glad the youngster survived.

[@IrishHamRadio]

I had never heard of this story…. Very enjoyable video and well told… Thank you 😊.

[@yoseflaurent3376]

Thank you for this very interesting story and you are very talented at telling it and keeping us interested troughout. I want to add a small piece of information here. In the hottest parts of Sahara, peak summer temperatures may reach beyond 55 degrees Celsius or 131 degrees Farenheit. Such temperatures are regularly observed in the southern parts of Algeria and Lybia and probably as well in some areas of other Sahara countries. 38 degrees Celsius or 100 Farenheit are ordinary warm temperatures that you will commonly get in summer months on the beach, nearly everywhere on the Mediterranean sea shore, including in some European countries like Italia, Espagna, Croatia and Greece.

[@raerae6422]

I really enjoyed your retelling. Loved the range of photographs from the trip, maps, articles and general pictures of the Sahara.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevengill1736]

The old knock the oil plug off trick - been there, done that....but we were able to follow the oil spill to the missing plug, and my friends had extra oil, so no worries.😊 This was back in the early 70s in the Kofa Mountains in a desert hardened VW Bug...man, those things really did an off road number, it was amazing. But I thought International Harvester 4WD trucks were de rigeur in that part of the world in those days?

[@mikereincastle9746]

That was a very difficult story to listen to. It’s easy to just blame Alan but all three passengers had dozens of opportunities to just stop. Putting Alan back in the car when he couldn’t even stay I still in the truck was just a whole new level of stupidity!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Barbara should have been driving that car, she would have stopped and not listened to Alan.

[@joanneginever1890]

I feel absolute contempt for this arrogant fool, Alan. What a drop kick. If you want to go and embark on a suicide mission in the desert go right ahead, but how dare you put those other people's lives at risk😠. Why on earth would he not take a small stove, and extra spare parts, and the mat. 🙄 I'm so glad the young lad survived. Your story telling skills are next level awesome. ☺️👏🌟I love the sarcasm. They say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but to us Aussies sarcasm is the backbone of our humour. Love your work. Thanks so much 💞👍🇦🇺

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Haha thx, I’ve been told to not hold back on the sarcasm and my take on the story, so more to come!

[@dipsy405]

Your sense of humour is impeccable. You're such an awesome human being. Good story told by a cute wonderful narrator.

[@pravinshingadia7337]

Brilliant story - really well told. Have a 19th year old son and couldn’t help but think of him stuck in that situation like Peter so pleased that he survived.

[@user-ut4zw6so6o]

Well told story as always. Sorry for these people snd what they experienced

[@shaunacotter4665]

Great story again, thanks. I'd have to say stranded in the desert at least you're not struggling to stay afloat BUT quite honestly neither! I did have the pleasure of travelling through the desert in Saudia Arabia back in the 80s when I worked there up north we would travel hundreds of kilometres from the town of Tabuk to Dhuba at the Red Sea for the weekend, what a paradise, it was real pioneering stuff in those days but we had good 4WDs and plenty of everything on board and travelled in groups so we were very well organised and equipped, great adventures we had. But knowing the harshness of the desert and the soaring temperatures in the summer around 50° Centigrade! I'd hate to have got stranded out there 😫

[@stevenbartlett2057]

Thank you! Its hard to find detailed yet consise content these days, you manage to offer personality and opinion whilst remaining on point and composed... What a great channel I've stumbled upon:)

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Thanks so much, glad you’re here!

[@rivermoon6190]

Very well done on the excellent production and commentary. Unlike other such videos it was just the right length and kept me focused until the end. Thank you. ⭐️

[@ToddDouglasFox]

Something to look forward to!

[@Dan-xx5jq]

My father owned a Morris Minor in Kenya. It was an antique then. He ended up giving it to a mechanic friend. i wish he hadn't they are in great demand. They are solid vehicles and very, very heavy.

[@robt2151]

My father also had a Morris Traveller in Kenya in the early 60s. First car I drove, at age 10. Good reliable car even if it did from time to time require the attentions of bush mechanics. It was a time when driving across the Sahara was still a notable achievement but feasible given the right equipment. I recall one report of someone successfully completing the trip England to Kenya using a Mini Ant - basically a twin-engine Mini Moke. Nowadays the politics is almost certainly a greater challenge than the geography.

[@annoyingbstard9407]

No offence but they’re not at all heavy. My friend decided he wanted to upgrade the drum brakes on his MM to discs. We put an old mattress on the floor next to it and two of us tipped it onto its side. He sorted out the brakes then we tipped it back on its wheels.

[@trevorsmith7753]

@@annoyingbstard9407 Narrator said it weighed 600Kg. The average small car of today weighs 1000Kg, and electrics much more.

[@FranssensM]

I’ve never heard of this tale. Thank you for uploading.

[@wednesday8397]

Don't change a thing!! We are here because we love your stories and the way you tell them. We also are fascinated by both the known in regard to freak accidents and unsolved missing persons cases. I totally find myself empathizing with these dear souls who lost their lives and/or survived traumatic events because you tell their stories the way their stories should be told. Thank you!!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Thanks!!

[@josephnulley6808]

Good Story ....... Be careful who you trust

[@christopherthomas3403]

Good grief!! Sad to say, but Alan was a complete stubborn, arrogant and complacent idiot, engulfed in his own self-indulgence. Sorry that the others got embroiled with his shenanigans, but glad to hear two survived.🤦‍♂️

[@knucklescapricorn31]

When Alan's erratic behaviour at the beginning of the journey was mentioned, I knew that this was a man who was doing some dodgy shit and was willing to put others at risk to avoid getting caught. This man surely felt no guilt or regret. A true narcissist. I feel so sorry for the travellers especially Frida.

[@OfficialLeahJude]

You are an incredible story teller and so likable. I’ve officially made it through every video. Great job. Keep it up, and be safe.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Amazing, thanks so much for binging!

[@pakde8002]

Stranded at sea would be worse I suppose because at least on land there's a chance someone will find your remains eventually. Plus in the sea there's nothing between yourself and the elements but on land there's a chance of finding or making a shelter. To the first question I'm naturally cautious around charismatic characters who are full of energy and don't want to be bothered by details. Especially those who deride others who raise questions about their plans and bully the group into going along. Those people will get you killed.

[@Lisa1111]

No. Just no! Great video! My mama had a Morris Minor when i was little ❤ Seattle

[@adventuresgonewrong]

My thoughts exactly! Heck, no!

[@Lisa1111]

Moral? Choose intelligent companions!

[@sharonmcneil3545]

How horrifying! I imagine that he must have been a somewhat charismatic person to convince the others to follow him. The fact that he received good advice and just ignored it is so scary. I'm glad that Peter and Barbara survived!

[@a.walters123]

Thank you for these incredible stories! There are few channels like this, and it’s a nice way to fall asleep, listening to your tell these adventure stories from the safety and comfort of my bed. 😊

[@minorityofthought1306]

Peter would be 86 this year. I hope he's lived a long happy life.

[@melodymerritt8419]

You know the scariest thing about this story.... Allen reminds me of my spouse! LOL! No shit!

[@adventuresgonewrong]

😂😅😂

[@KillerQueensRyche]

Alan reminds me of my brother in law.

[@ctobolsk]

He reminds me of my ex husband, who happened to also be named Alan

[@ludar399]

And my spouse too!😀😀😀

[@BohoAstronaut]

Same here. Mine constantly bounces from project to project and I'm constantly having to subtly give him safety tips. Literally tonight he came home with a bag of berries he picked off the side of the road and mason jars.. completely out of the blue. He boiled it with sugar and poured into the jars without first sterilizing them or sealing them shut. I have never canned either so i had to a quick google search bc i was pretty sure the point of mason jars was to seal them and thats why they pop when you open them. But he won't hear of it. I did a little more reading that said you can make quick jam and not have to seal them as long as plan on eating them in the next few months and refrigerate them. I just got up to check and he left them all out on the counter so i put them in the fridge. I'm hoping he doesnt get food poisoning. I could give you a dozen more examples- some are small things but a lot are much more serious. It's honestly infuriating.

[@goat_hats]

Great episode! I love hearing your personality come out 😂 I was cracking up

[@glen6258]

I am so happy I found your channel. Awesome job putting together this video, I can’t wait to see what other videos you have made.

[@adventuresgonewrong]

Thanks and welcome!