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NAMIB550

Namib Desert, Namibia, 2015.

By Johnny Graham

September 10^th, 2018

the sun was blazing 40C+ from Luderitz to Walvis Bay through some of the most grueling and tallest dunes in the world

In February 2015 I had the opportunity to take on the full role of expedition photographer documenting two renowned Scottish ultra runners Donnie Campbell & Dr Andrew Murray in their 9 day successful effort to run 550 km+ while the sun was blazing 40C+ from Luderitz to Walvis Bay through some of the most grueling and tallest dunes in the world in the Namib Desert and Skeleton Coast. This was to be my second time in the Namib Desert, my fist time I had precariously balanced the role of trekker and photographer. This was a chance to fully take on photographer duties and put my previous experience to the test.

Donnie Campbell & Dr Andrew Murray Crossing the Devil's Workshop, Namib Desert.

oldest desert in the world

The Namib desert is arguably the oldest desert in the world and it has taken full advantage of that old age to develop the finest sand and it is literally everywhere including floating about the air as fine particulates which is the bane of camera equipment.

Donnie Campbell & Dr Andrew Murray running the Skeleton Coast with Cape Fur Seals on the Namib 550.

I had plans to combat this. A pelican hard-case I had used previously to keep out the sand and protect my equipment during transit made a return. Two main Nikon D800 camera bodies with two lenses attached I had no intention of changing unless I really had too, a plethora of dry bags after getting the advice of if it keeps water out it will keep sand out too.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Dead Gemsbok, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Dead Gemsbok, Namib Desert.

As Donnie and Andrew did their impressive feats of endurance and ate up the miles through some grueling terrain and conditions I also did my thing and documented them in their endevour. My days consisted of getting up at 6AM, doing a kit check, grabbing some food, several more kit checks and then getting allocated to one of the support vehicles and then I would spend the day covering the runners from as many angles and positions as possible looking for good composition and captures of the quite simply amazing landscape surrounding us. Our fantastic support team would head to the next nights camp and setup. We would finish several hours before sundown at around 6pm or after depending on the runners. I would again run a kit check and clean. Grab food, take some night and camp shots, and fall asleep instantly in my sleeping bag. Rinse, repeat for the next nine days and 500km+.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Towards the end my biggest problem was not so much the never ending presence and attrition of sand but more the cumulative effect of our camp fires smoke and with a greasy layer that had started to form on the lenses. It was insanely difficult to clean.

During the expedition we passed spectacular scenery and had tremendous access to places well off the beaten track of the normal tourist areas of Namibia.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray taking on water, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell, Namib Desert.

Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

You felt like you where in a maze made of sand.

One particular area of the Desert of note that has really stayed with me was called the Devils Workshop, a chaotic area where several winds meet and the dunes get to ever increasing crazy heights with no set pattern, so real hard for the support team to follow the runners. You felt like you where in a maze made of sand.

Donnie Campbell, Namib Desert.

Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell, Namib Desert.

As the runners finally reached Walvis Bay and mercifully solid non-sandy ground and enjoyed a well earned cold beverage I looked at a nearby satellite terrain map one of the support crew had brought that showed not only the distance but dunes so big that they are clearly visible from space, it made Donnie and Andrew's already amazing feat that ever bit more impressive to me. It was a pleasure and privilege to be there to document the adventure.

Highly recommend Namibia but one word of warning if you ever visit the Namib be prepared to find sand everywhere for the next few years, I still do.

A wee special thank you to Brian English and Gail English of BigShot Productions for being my media buddies on this adventure!

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

links of interest.

Dr Andrew Murray

Donnie Campbell

Running the Namib - Royal Geographical Society.

Crossing the Devil's Workshop - Run Ultra Magazine.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Skeleton Coast.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and r Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, early morning mist, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray Conquering the Devil's Workshop, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray discussing routes with guide Paul Lombard, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell being filmed by Gail English of BigShot Productions, Namib Desert.

Namib 550 signed t-shirt.

Sandgaiters, Namib Desert.

Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray running by the wreck of the Shawnee. Skeleton Coast.

Base Camp, Namib Desert.

Base Camp, Namib Desert.

Lunch Camp, Namib Desert.

Room with a View, Namib Desert.

Distant runners, Donnie Campbell and Dr Andrew Murray, Namib Desert.

Footnotes

Donnie Campbell & Dr Andrew Murray are sponsored respectively by Salomon & Merrell.

FootNotes

Donnie Campbell & Dr Andrew Murray are sponsored respectively by Salomon & Merrell.

© 2026 Johnny Graham

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