(Post 1 of 4) The goal is to score a world first–the first circumnavigation of Svalbard’s four main islands by kayak. This is the team: Per Gustav Porsanger (Norway), Jaime Sharp (New Zealand), and Tara Mulvany (New Zealand). I met them in the Longyearbyen campground to learn about the imminent journey. They planned to leave…
(Post 2 of 4) Jaime Sharp has spearheaded this journey and worked closely with the team to pull the plan and the sponsors together. His boat is looking ready, and he’s really excited about the seat. It’s an inflatable bean bag, which sounds pretty cushy for long days in icy water—as long as it doesn’t…
(Post 3 of 4) Tara Mulvany’s show and tell was all about the chocolate. Bags and bags and bags of it. She has an impressive paddling record (around New Zealand, around Vancouver Island) but she told me, “I’ve been nowhere cold.” Fortunately, her teammate, PG, is an Arctic expert. Check out the next post.
(Post 4 of 4) Per Gustav (PG) showed off the polar bear fence they will use as a camp perimeter. He spent 15 years in the military and is “very used to the winter aspect.” He mother is from a family of Saami reindeer herders, and his father is Norwegian. “I’m not an experienced kayak…