I know most of you probably heard of this long long ago, but I have to pass this story on. Ed Gillet, fairly normal Joe paddled across the Pacific from Monterey California to Maui. Absolutely amazing feat, 2200 miles in 64 days on a stock Necky Tofino double kayak with no mast, sail… alone without a support crew.
http://www.canoekayak.com/features/stories/gillet/
http://mwatton.customer.netspace.net.au/pacific.html
http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/HPB/photos/10-01-06/gilet.jpg
Submitted by truckstop13 on Thu, 04/10/2008 - 8:16pm.
645 Posts
WOW !! that was an amazing feat of survival, seamanship and luck, thanks for that Truckstop.
It never ceases to amaze me what human beings are capable of pulling off and living to tell the tale.
Ever read Steve Callahans
book "Adrift" its an awesome read about one sailors very close brush with death while struggling to stay alive adrift in the Atlantic.There are many others too, like the story of Howard Blackburn, hero fisherman from Gloucester. Google ,” lone Voyager” if interested in the Blackburn story.
Captain Blighs` epic story of survival on the sea was amazing too. After the “Bounty ” mutineers left Bligh and the loyal sailors in a small boat at sea , Bligh and his crew made one of the most awesome voyages ever accomplished in a small boat . The book is called ” Men Against the Sea”
Fri, 04/11/2008 - 1:13am
344 Posts
and Louis Zamperini “Devil at my Heels”
Shawn Michael
Fri, 04/11/2008 - 1:32am
140 Posts
By most observations Ed is a normal everyday guy … and quiet @ that. but you gotta get him talking to see the whats inside. A true modern day explorer and gentleman.
Anyone thats knows him also knows behind every good man is a great woman.
Most people that ever went on one of his trips would talk of him as much as the destination / location.
pog
Fri, 04/11/2008 - 2:06am
430 Posts
thanks trukstop13
Listen….I can hear the water calling.
Fri, 04/11/2008 - 4:41am
896 Posts
Absolutely incredible! That’ll make the next 15 miler seem waaaaayyyy easier. I love these stories.
Fri, 04/11/2008 - 4:44am
570 Posts
Anyone who can seriously consider something like this is definately not your average person. Talk about mental toughness.
Fri, 04/11/2008 - 5:27am
168 Posts
I admire the skills and perseverence, but there’s something slightly “off” about someone who would attempt that. Luck was a huge factor in addition to toughness and preparation.
…misspelled, catchy phrase to make me look cooler…”
Fri, 04/11/2008 - 5:42am
115 Posts
Truely incredible what humans can do. Think about the Polynesians who discovered Hawai’i…amazing!
Here are two more incredible humans who like to paddle the Pacific ocean. Even tho they are facing the wrong direction (rowing) these are incredible stories. (I was just kidding about “wrong direction” by the way!)
The first website is about a guy who has been at sea for 9 months trying to paddle from California to Australia! Due to the currents he has missed Oz and is maybe going to land in Papua New Guinea. He is on the water right now!!! His blog is really inspirational.
The second website is about a courageous lady who will be attempting to paddle from California to Hawai’i very soon. Roz’s blog is also inspirational and I am looking forward to her daily entries as she begins her trek here, to Hawai’i nei.
Mikala
http://www.humanedgetech.com/expedition/ano/
http://www.rozsavage.com/
Fri, 04/11/2008 - 6:28am