As 1990 was drawing to an end I was beginning a new direction in life. Tired of working 8 days a week in a very high pressure but lucrative industry I was looking for something different.
One can work hard and play hard but to do that you need to make time and that was something I did not have. With the upcoming birth of our first son just playing hard was not an option either so I decided to try and turn my interests and hobbies into a livelihood and started checking out the options.
Widerness tourism was just beginning and I started at the bottom as a freelance guide in Mitzpe Ramon. Back then there was no “training”, most of us had some kind of military background and we all shared a love for the outdoors. I too had the military background where I learned to love the desert and coming from an outdoor lifestyle in Africa with loads of bush craft experience I quickly found my footing and developed my own style and then struck out on my own founding Challenging Experience.
Now, 30 years later, the industry has changed but I am still here and still loving it. Being able to enjoy one’s “job” makes it so much easier to do it well.
All my staff is handpicked and apart from the experience they bring they also receive extensive ‘in-house’ training. I believe that a huge part of any visit is time spent with the ‘locals’ and while not all out team has been in the area that long they do all share a love for the area and for people. We are often asked if we ever get bored ? The simple answer is an emphatic NO – the reason is that no two tours are ever the same especially as meeting new people is also part of what we enjoy.
I always say that we are neither the best nor the cheapest company out there, but some things make us stand out.
We have a great office staff, 5 days a week, giving our clients good service pre-tour and freeing the guides up (especially me) to be with YOU and not with the next or last client.
Three of our five guides are volunteers in the regional Search and Rescue Team (I am one of it’s founders) and also volunteer as reserve Policemen and United Hatzallah medical first responders.
When you tour with us you help support voluntary non profit organizations in the area. We are involved in almost every single Search and Rescue scenario in the region using our extensive knowledge of the area, our specific skills and our company hardware to help bring people to safety.
All our vehicles are well equipped including high power 2 way VHF radios (linked not only to each other but also to national emergency services), tools, first aid packs and even a gas stove to brew fresh coffee or tea.
