#TBT: Arctic Cowboys' historic journey: Conquering the Northwest Passage in a single season with human power alone
AUSTIN, Texas — In a historic feat of human endurance and determination, West Hansen, a 61-year-old endurance paddler from Austin, and his team, known as the Arctic Cowboys, have successfully completed the daunting Northwest Passage in a single season using only human power.
"We never felt like we wouldn't complete the expedition," said Hansen. "There was no option. There was no one to come get us."
The Northwest Passage, a remote and treacherous route in the Arctic Circle, has been sought after for trade and commerce for over 250 years.
Hansen and his team embarked on this extraordinary journey, covering a staggering 1,600 miles over 83 grueling days, facing challenges that included frigid temperatures, towering waves, and even encounters with polar bears.
"It's been sought after for the past 250 years through European travelers. It's all for trade, all for commerce," said Hansen.
The journey's significance is heightened because the Northwest Passage, a route Roald Amundsen navigated in 1906 and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police schooner St. Roch traversed 36 years later, has witnessed more explorations in recent decades.
However, no one had attempted to kayak or row the entire passage in a single season, primarily due to ice obstacles that are now diminishing with the warming planet.
RELATED |Iconic American masterpiece 'The Sugar Shack' arrives at the Blanton Museum of Art for a year-long exhibition
"We launched about the middle of July after about two weeks of waiting on shore for the ice to break up," explained Hansen.
Hansen, along with his team members Jeff Wueste of San Marcos, Eileen Visser of New York, and Mark Agnew of Scotland, embarked on this historic journey after meticulous planning that spanned over five years.
"We ended up with a couple of people with very strong tenacity, and they overcame a lot of barriers in order to finish," said Hansen.
A fundraising campaign, contributing $10,000 of the $70,000 adventure cost, helped make the expedition possible.
MORE | Fredericksburg to welcome holiday season with enchanting Light the Night Christmas Parade
The expedition, captured in dramatic drone footage, showcased the team's kayaking prowess as they navigated through ice and water, battling against the elements.
Hansen, a seasoned explorer who has previously paddled the entire Amazon and the Volga, described the harrowing final weeks of their journey.
"It was a struggle the last few weeks, and so the last few days were even worse. The waves were 23 feet high, and the winds were very high. I had this death grip on my paddle," said Hansen.
The Arctic Cowboys' strategy differed from previous attempts, as they departed from Baffin Bay on the eastern boundary of the Northwest Passage.
This decision, combined with a larger team and improved equipment, proved crucial to their success.
ALSO | Texas family dazzles with Barbie-themed Christmas card in annual holiday tradition
Hansen recounted a surreal encounter with a polar bear, emphasizing the importance of heeding the advice of local Inuit communities on how to coexist with the Arctic's apex predators.
Despite moments of intense struggle, including a polar bear ripping a shirt outside Hansen's tent, the team's tenacity prevailed.
"We had a lot of experts in Texas wanting to tell us how to deal with polar bears. So we thought, thanks, thanks. We'll listen to the locals up there," said Hansen.
As industries eye the potential for increased shipping through the passage, the Arctic Cowboys' expedition provides a firsthand account of the changing landscape and its impact on the indigenous communities and wildlife in the region.
Hansen, known for his adventurous spirit, emphasized the importance of exploring these pristine areas before they undergo significant industrialization.
The Arctic Cowboys' remarkable journey stands as a testament to the spirit of exploration and the need to adapt to the evolving realities of our planet.
If you'd like to learn more about the 'Arctic Cowboys' click here.
EDITOR NOTE: #TBT or Turning Back Time is an award-winning series of stories by CBS Austin This Morning Anchor John-Carlos Estrada. The series will focus on the history of Central Texas that impacts the community. If you want to share a story idea with him – email him (jcestrada@cbsaustin.com) or message him on social media via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.