Sarah Outen has been on her ’round the world journey for almost 1,600 days. She began her London2London: Via the World expedition on April 1, 2011, kayaking down the Thames River from London’s Tower Bridge.
She has travelled 35,000 kilometres since, by rowboat, bike and kayak. Now in the home stretch she has been in the Atlantic Ocean for more that 70 days.
“Contrary winds and mixed-up currents,”
In an interview with CBC Radio in Newfoundland, Outen said she was finding it tough to make progress in the North Atlantic without her rudder.
“I haven’t been able to replace the rudder. I’m going to have to just make do, and manage without it, she said.
“In particular, when I’m not rowing, that’s when it’s most frustrating. I can’t quite hold the course that I’d like to. I can use ropes to help with some of that, but it’s not the same as a rudder. It will be just less efficient and it will be slower — and it makes things more challenging. I have less ability to control my direction.”
Outen left Cape Cod on May 14. “I’ve had a lot of weather that’s pushed me back to the American coastline, or indeed up towards Canada. Contrary winds and mixed-up currents,” she said.
In June 2012 Outen was caught in Tropical Storm Mawar. Despite the setbacks Outen said she’s not tired.
“I’m really proud of the journey. Full of amazing new experiences. With all those experiences and challenges, come lessons and perspective on life,” Outen said.
“The people have really stood out for me on this journey. We’re all one, we’re all human. It’s humbling and beautiful. Seeing spontaneous generosity has been humbling as well. I’m really amazed and excited that we’ve made it this far.”
Sarah Outen will row across the Atlantic, and If all goes well, she should be kayaking back up the Thames sometime this fall.
Here’s an excerpt from a blog post of July 18, to give you an idea of what she’s encountering:
“I hadn’t slept well for a few nights and was exhausted, emotionally and physically. Wanting to sleep at day’s end, I noticed a tanker drifting towards me at three miles away. I spent the next three hours pulling for all I was worth in the fog and rain to try and avoid it. United Hope, she was called. I spoke to the Captain but didn’t ask why she was drifting. Satisfied we wouldn’t collide for now I went to bed atmidnight and slept sporadically, being woken by my AIS alarm regularly as we danced with United Hope.”
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.