After 21 days and 1,100km of relentless desert terrain, Mission Spiritus Oman has come to a triumphant conclusion. This journey, the second of seven major scientific expeditions, took the team deep into the Empty Quarter and Wahiba Sands, pushing the boundaries of human endurance while collecting groundbreaking research on the deposit of airborne nano plastics across the shifting sands – one of the most remote environments on Earth.
With 52 sand samples collected for Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, this mission has accelerated research into airborne nano plastics by a decade, saving millions in funding that would otherwise be required to collect such crucial field data.
The journey was defined by extreme conditions, resilience, and the unwavering determination of the expedition team – led by Alan Chambers MBE, alongside Billy Perham, David Segel and Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Segel. From battling sandstorms to adjusting to the punishing desert climate, this expedition was a true testament to human spirit and scientific pursuit.
A Journey Across Oman’s Most Extreme Landscapes
Phase 1: Into the Empty Quarter
The team assembled in Salalah before embarking on a grueling 370km trek across the vast Rub’ al Khali – also known as the Empty Quarter. Facing towering dunes, harsh winds and temperature extremes, they quickly learned the desert’s unforgiving nature. With a pre-dawn start each day, they covered up to 35km daily, navigating shifting sand and dehydration while collecting the first crucial samples for Columbia University’s study.
Read the full Phase 1 summary
Phase 2: Sandstorms and Survival
As the team moved northeast towards the Saudi border, they encountered their first major setback – communication failures, support vehicle issues and an unexpected sandstorm that left them stranded in the blistering heat for hours. They reinforced emergency protocols, adjusted their trekking hours and streamlined their sample collection process to maintain efficiency.
Despite the challenges, mental resilience and teamwork prevailed and they reached Muqshin on schedule, marking the halfway point of the expedition.
Read the full Phase 2 summary
Phase 3: Covering Ground and Unexpected Encounters
Phase 3 marked a dramatic change in landscape and pace. Transitioning from deep desert trekking, the team relied on 4x4s to cross 500km of terrain while gathering samples from a diverse range of desert environments.
A standout moment was an unexpected rendezvous with British explorer Mark Evans and the Jewel of Arabia Expedition – a team retracing the historic 1928 journey of Bertram Thomas. The two expeditions shared a fireside evening on the beach, discussing their shared goals of exploration, science and environmental advocacy.
Read the full Phase 3 summary
Phase 4: Camels, Sandstorms and a Grand Finale
The final phase of Mission Spiritus Oman took the team into the Wahiba Sands, where they travelled by camel alongside local herders and expert desert survivalists. The vast dunes and increased vegetation – due to an unseasonably wet year – brought unexpected challenges, from biting insects to desert vipers.
The expedition culminated in a ceremonial arrival at the Outward Bound Oman Desert Center, where they were greeted with traditional drumming, a firearm salute and a gathering of dignitaries, environmentalists, and researchers. Dr. Beizhan Yan of Columbia University flew in from New York to meet the team, solidifying the expedition’s scientific importance and its role in shaping the future understanding of airborne nano plastics and their presence in desert environments.
Read the full Phase 4 summary
Scientific Impact: A Decade of Research Accelerated
The 52 sand samples collected during the expedition will be analyzed by Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, helping scientists trace the movement of airborne nano plastics carried by wind systems and gain a deeper insight into their presence in remote desert landscapes.
The hard work of collecting these 52 samples across the vast and unforgiving terrain of Oman has now paid off, as they have arrived safely in the laboratory of Dr. Beizhan Yan at Columbia University, ready for the next phase of scientific research. This milestone showcases the success of Mission Spiritus Oman and the expedition’s critical role in advancing our understanding of airborne nano plastics.
“The significance of this mission extends far beyond Oman. We now have critical data from one of the most remote environments on the planet, allowing us to deepen our understanding of the deposit of airborne nano plastics on a global scale. Alan’s work with Mission Spiritus is accelerating our research by nearly a decade and saving millions in funding that would otherwise be required to collect this level of field data.” said Dr. Beizhan Yan, Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Mission Spiritus?
Following the Antarctica (2023-24) and Oman (2025) expeditions, Mission Spiritus now turns its sights to the Northwest Passage, the next chapter in its seven-part global mission. The goal remains the same:
- Pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery
- Testing human endurance in the planet’s most extreme environments
- Advancing climate and health research for a better future
With corporate partnerships and global sponsors, Mission Spiritus continues to lead the charge in real-world, evidence-based environmental research.
Follow the Journey
This expedition blog series has documented every step of the Mission Spiritus Oman Expedition, from preparations to final arrival in Muscat. Missed any updates? Catch up below:
For additional updates, footage and news on upcoming expeditions, follow us on:
- Instagram: @MissionSpiritus
- LinkedIn: Mission Spiritus
Interview Opportunities & Media Enquiries
Alan Chambers MBE and the Mission Spiritus team are available for interviews to discuss:
- The expedition’s scientific discoveries and their global implications
- The physical and mental endurance required to complete such extreme journeys
- The next phase of Mission Spiritus and partnership opportunities
For interviews, sponsorship enquiries or additional press materials, please contact:
Billy Perham
Operations Manager
billy@missionspiritus.com
+44 (0) 7809 138219
