BIOGRAPHY
Mark Kalch is an audacious explorer who specialises in planning small, unsupported expeditions into the wilderness. In the last thirteen years he has walked the length of the Omo River in Southern Ethiopia, rafted down the mighty Amazon River from its source in the Peruvian Andes to the Atlantic Ocean, trekked in the Andes of Peru, forged trails through dense jungles in East Africa and walked solo from the northernmost point of the Islamic Republic of Iran to its most southerly border in the Persian Gulf.

Journeying deep into some of the most remote landscapes on the planet with only a small team to rely on has given Mark an extraordinary insight into successful team dynamics, leadership and risk management.

During his Amazon adventure, Mark and his team faced acute mountain sickness, dysentery, turbulent whitewater, 30 km wide tidal river waters and being shot at by both the military and narco-terrorists. After the team medic was struck down with a mystery virus and forced to return home, Mark and his remainging team mate were left to row the final 4500km between them. At times, they rowed twenty four hours a day, in alternating six hour shifts to reach their goal.

Mark is currently planning is next expedition, the 7 rivers, 7 continents project – an attempt to make human-powered descents of the longest river on every continent.

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING
Mark’s experiences of planning small, unsupported expeditions into the wilderness, far from any help and with only himself and his team to rely on, has given him an incredible insight into successful team dynamics, leadership and risk management.

“I love taking people away from the world they know, on a journey to unknown lands - be it the dense jungle of Southern Ethiopia, on the mighty Amazon River or across the globe. More than anything, I love being able to share the insights, strategies and lessons I have learned from these expeditions. When I take the stage, my goal is always the same: to give each audience member a bolstered sense of what is possible, what they can achieve.”

WHAT OTHERS SAY...
"Amazing! Risk management takes on a whole new meaning when your very life is on the line.  The parallels you drew were simply outstanding and thoroughly examined.  Bravo!"
Alan Tait, Rio Tinto Limited

“Thank-you for presenting to the company yesterday. Your expedition and adventure down the Amazon seemed almost impossible to believe! What an experience for you and your team and a great success to top it all off. The team here at Swift Engineering greatly enjoyed hearing about the expedition and I am positive, if nothing else, it will have them in a "can do" frame of mind for a good long while. With the current economic position any motivational talk at this level will be of benefit. On your next visit to Australia I would like to invite you back so that you may give the same presentation to new employees.”

Jon Readdy, Swift Engineering Company