The Arctic Cowboys are making steady progress through the vast beauty of the Northwest Passage, carving their way through waters, one stroke at a time. Another day has come and gone on this epic journey, and it was a mix of triumph and tribulation.
Mother Nature smiled upon them today, offering relief from the high winds that had been dogging their every move. Instead, gentle breezes came to their aid, pushing their kayaks forward. But, as luck would have it, the heavens opened up just as they set up camp for the night. Rainfall in the Arctic is no gentle shower; it’s a relentless, soaking deluge that leaves everything drenched. Tents, sleeping bags, clothes – nothing escaped the damp embrace. And the biting cold, with temperatures steadily dropping into the mid-30s, rain only made matters worse. However, while paddling, the team manages to stay fairly warm, their exertion warding off the chill. It’s only when they come to a halt that the bone-deep cold sets in. This made for a miserable night.
Tonight’s camp, fittingly named Shipwreck Camp, offers a unique backdrop. They had seen this old wooden shipwreck on Google Earth during their preparations looking for cabins, fresh water sources, etc., never anticipating they’d find themselves stopping right beside it. Clifton Point, their intended destination, welcomed them right on schedule.
The day brought a few fleeting moments of wildlife encounters, with a pair of curious grey seals playfully swimming around their kayaks. Otherwise, the vast Arctic expanse offered no other signs of life, human or otherwise.
The team draws strength from the comments and messages they receive on social media and via email. The remote logistics and support team, Barbara and Tom, send these along via text messages to their GPS devices. Your support fuels their spirits, but the monotonous motion and consistency of daily paddling, going strong since the middle of July takes its toll and is hard. They’ve faced weather setbacks and challenges aplenty but remain focused on their vision: to become the first human-powered, self-propelled team to paddle the entire Northwest Passage in a single season.
So, keep those encouraging comments coming. Share their updates, and let’s rally together to help these Arctic Cowboys reach that finish line they’ve been striving for. Let’s mentally help get this team to the finish line. The end is in sight, but they need all the support they can get to make history.
Total: 1335.51 miles Today: 36.6 miles Expedition: 1273.51 miles
