The 434‑mile trek through the Congo Basin's remote waterways has long been plagued by weak signals, making satellite gear the team's lifeline.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, a team member named Matt posted an Instagram update noting that more than 16 hours had passed without contact. He wrote, "ATTENTION. It’s been more than 16 hours since we last heard from Ash and the team which is concerning. We will endeavour to keep you posted and let you all know as soon as we hear more. Thank you."
The outage occurred as Dykes’ Starlink unit and power bank ran out of charge, leaving the Garmin satellite device as the only viable link. The Garmin can transmit short text messages but not video, and the team can only send updates when the signal comes back.
Speaking to People earlier, Dykes said, "There’s definitely the fear that anything can happen," and he stressed his confidence in surviving the journey. He added that his experience helps him anticipate and react to sudden changes in the wilderness.
The expedition will pause until the satellite device recharges, after which Dykes will push toward Mossaka, where local support is awaiting him. The next checkpoint involves crossing the inland river that borders the Congo and Central African Republic, a stretch known for its unpredictable currents and dense forest cover.