A week ago Ripley passed the 1000 mile mark while trekking in the Altai Valley on his attempted solo crossing of Mongolia. Most of the way the terrain was a big challenge for him and his heavy trailer, and lately the worst he has ever seen, he reported.

Ripley was determined to manage, then things got out of hand; he badly sprained his right ankle and developed a tendon problem in his lower right leg after losing his footing on a steep slope causing him to slide down the embankment with the weight of the trailer and equipment behind him, reported his home team.

After consulting a doctor Ripley made the difficult decision to discontinue his expedition due to the injury so that he will not cause permanent damage.