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Expedition News Hotline September-October 2002 Print E-mail
Sunday, 01 September 2002 03:55
Bancroft, Arnesen Kayak Great Lakes
They skied and sailed across Antarctica—why not sea kayak the shores of the Great Lakes? That’s exactly what former schoolteachers Ann Bancroft, of Scandia, Minn., and Liv Arnesen of Oslo, Norway, are doing this summer as they tackle an 1,800-mile tour from the north shore of Lake Superior to Duluth, Minn., across the Great Lakes, and finally on to the St. Lawrence River.

In February 2001, Bancroft and Arnesen, hauling 250-pound. sleds, took 94 days to become the first women in history to complete a 1,717-mile trek across Antarctica on skis. Unlike their polar journey, in which their only contact with civilization was receiving over 20,000 e-mails from schoolchildren, their paddling adventure, only 83 miles longer, will allow them to interact with people and communities along the way, sharing their stories of inspiration and exploration. "Our Great Lakes adventure is a purposeful departure from our polar expeditions and combines our passions for exploring waterways and sharing stories with people," says Bancroft, whose trip is sponsored by DuPont and Big Spoon paddles of Redmond, Wash. "During the journey, we will encourage people to think about their dreams and make positive changes in their lives." Info: www.yourexpedition.com.

Paddler Sponsors Brahmaputra Expedition
Commemorating the International Year of Eco-tourism, Paddler magazine has signed on to co-sponsor The Great Descent expedition Nov. 22-Dec. 6 on India’s Upper Brahmaputra River. Working with India’s Aquaterra Adventures, the raft and kayak trip combines culture with whitewater in the remote northeastern tribal state of Arunachal Pradesh. From the put-in just below the Tsangpo’s famed Big Bend, the expedition will navigate 180 kms of Class IV-V, Himalaya-lined whitewater to the take-out eight days later at Pasighat. “This section is normally off limits to foreigners, due to its proximity to China,” says expedition leader Vaibhav Kala. “It’s been run a few times by the armed forces, but it’s never been properly documented. Now, thanks to a special permit, it will finally be open to other adventurers and given the recognition it deserves.” Cost for the trip runs $3,000, including roundtrip airfare from New Delhi to Dibrugarh, lodging in Delhi and Dibrugarh, restricted area permit fee, royalty for rafting the Siang, road travel, tented and rest house/ hotel accommodation, all meals, guide fees and transfers. Info: www.thegreatdescent.com.

Originally Published, Paddler September-October 2002
 

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