The Arctic Cowboys’ journey is nothing short of groundbreaking as they venture through the iconic Northwest Passage. Charting a course solely under human power, we traverse the vast expanse of the Northwest Passage. Our progress is steady and methodical, forging ahead with each paddle stroke. Gazing at the map and tracing the path we’ve covered so far is a humbling experience. The distances we’ve conquered and the challenges we’ve overcome serve as a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
The Arctic’s stark beauty envelopes us as we paddle through uncharted waters. Our encounters with arctic animal life, from majestic polar bears to elusive seals, remind us of the delicate balance that exists in this harsh environment. The communities we’ve met along the way, with their rich cultures and deep connections to the land, provide a unique insight into life at the edge of the world.
As we navigate this legendary route, we remain mindful of the history woven into these icy waters. The Northwest Passage has long captured the imaginations of explorers, and now, we are making history by completing this remarkable journey through sheer determination and physical effort.
Our mission is clear: to conquer the Northwest Passage solely through the power of human paddling. The distances we cover are vast, but our spirits are unyielding. We carry the legacy of past explorers while carving a new path for the future. Each day brings us closer to our goal, reminding us that the human will knows no bounds.
8-19-23 Cat Ears Cove 40.0 miles—The team experienced great weather getting to Cat Ears Cove, aptly named because of its likeness to a set of cat ears. They did not see any wildlife on this part of their trip. The cove where they set up camp is very nice and calm.
8-20-23 Neuron Camp 33.0 miles—Neuron camp “looks like a neuron.” Today is the day we can see Cambridge Bay in our headlights. We label Cambridge Bay as a “halfway point” in the expedition, while not exactly halfway. It’s a place to resupply, thanks to our contact Andre Otokiak. He’s been gathering and holding all of our packages since last year.
8-21-23 Beacon Point Camp 16.0 miles—We named this camp after, what appears to be, a beacon situated on the far most west point on the Royal Society Island before the team crosses over to Victoria Island, the home of Cambridge Bay. It was a short day because the team was just getting in place before making the crossing over to Victoria Island. They wanted to be well-rested before tackling a challenging day.
8-22-23 De Haven Camp 30.0 miles—The crossing from Beacon Point Camp to De Haven Point was the hardest crossing thus far. The waves initially were challenging along the shoreline and were expected to decrease as the team made their way across Victoria Strait. Unfortunately, as everchanging weather would have it, the waves grew to 3-4 feet about halfway across. There was a light drizzle the entire way across along with gusty winds. Despite this, the team was able to cross safely and get in a 30-mile day.
Our expectation is The Arctic Cowboys will arrive in Cambridge Bay on Friday, August 25, 2023. They will stay a few days, rest, resupply, and then get on their way before the winter starts to set in again and ice starts reappearing. While in Cambridge Bay, they will be waiting for one more very important package to arrive. Unfortunately, flights are on hold in and out of Cambridge Bay due to wildfires in the Yellowknife area. All flights are being used to assist residents to evacuate. They are expected to resume on August 27, 2023. While, obviously, our safety, care, and concerns are with the residents of Yellowknife, we are cautiously optimistic our package will arrive within a few days. If not, it may hold the team up. Decisions will have to be made as to when they will continue on their way, based on the expected arrival of our package.
Total: 853.11 miles Today: 30.0 miles Expedition: 791.11 miles
