Land Rover Global Ambassador Bear Grylls Takes Winner of the Land Rover Discovery Adventure to New Mexico

Land Rover Global Ambassador Bear Grylls takes winner of the Land Rover Discovery Adventure Challenge, Alex Woodford, on a two-day expedition in the Gila National Forest, New Mexico

First official role for Bear Grylls after being appointed Land Rover Global Ambassador

Land Rover’s inherent Above & Beyond spirit embodied by the combined efforts of Ambassador Bear Grylls and Young Explorer Alex

Both explorers challenged by tests of strength, stamina and resilience in a variety of physical tasks in the wilderness

WHITLEY, UK -- December 19, 2014: Land Rover Global Ambassador Bear Grylls led an expedition into the Gila National Forest, New Mexico, for the winner of Land Rover’s Next Generation Explorer challenge, Alex Woodford. Alex was guided and mentored by Bear on a two-day experience in the wilderness.

The prize was awarded to Alex as a reward for her triumphant effort in the six-part Discovery Adventure Challenge, which took place in the mountains of Megève, France earlier this year. The event sought to find the next generation of explorers by providing the perfect platform for the world’s leading and most experienced explorers to share their vast knowledge and inspire future generations.

Judges included Sir Ranulph Fiennes, polar explorer; Hannah White, sailor; Kenton Cool, mountaineer; and Eric Loizeau, sailor and mountaineer. Alex was chosen for her display of strength, technique and courage throughout each challenge, as well as showing a true sense of adventure and going Above & Beyond, in the spirit of the Land Rover brand.

The expedition led by Bear was a test of determination, skills and resilience, with an array of physically and mentally demanding activities. In addition to a difficult trek across five miles of challenging terrain, Alex was faced with repelling down a 250ft sheer drop, a Tyrolean Traverse, river crossings, and hemp rope climbs, not to mention a one-to-one combat session with Bear himself.

Alex explained what she had learnt from spending time with Bear and the team: “You have to follow your dreams. If you love adventure then just keep going along that path. Just do what you love and you can make it into a career.” Alex acquired a range of skills and techniques from the activities to create a foundation for becoming a future explorer.

Bear concluded the experience with his thoughts on his and Alex’s first adventure, “She’s thrown herself into it right at the deep end; you name it, she’s done it.

“She’s really shown that Land Rover Adventurer Spirit, being a pioneer, a boundary-pusher, a risk-taker and full of positivity, so good on her.”

Bear has previously spoken about the close link shared by Land Rover and adventure, and his personal connection with the brand. "I've used Land Rover vehicles throughout my life…They always deliver a rugged reliability that you can always count on when the chips are down in hostile environments.

“Land Rover is all about adventure, and adventure has always been in my DNA. For the toughest challenges, a Land Rover is always my vehicle of choice, which is why I'm so proud to be associated with the brand."