Day 131 - Adrenaline Overload
September 16, 2009 – 10:12 amOur second day of gale force winds has been a step up on the first. Whilst the hail subsided somewhat my adrenal gland has been in overload. There’s nothing quite so scary as seeing (and hearing) a 30ft wave that is just about to break off to your right. Just befroe it breaks over the boat you tense yourself ready for the impact of several tonnes of water moving at pace on you, the boat and oars. At the last moment dip your head to avoid a face full of water and allow the hood to take the blow. Then it’s past, the boat’s rocking around and it takes a few moments before you can get both oars out of the water at the same time again and start rowing again. Then you spot the next wave that’s about to break.
It isn’t so physically tiring as rowing in still conditions because you can’t put the work behind the oars that you’d like to but it is terribly mentally and emotionally demanding at each shift of rest is more welcome than ever. Last night it was still blowing very strong and we took the decision to take the night off the oars and wedge ourselves in the cabin with a drogue to keep Bo’s stern into the weather. It was beastly cold (even my neoprene sailing shoes weren’t doing enough to keep my feet warm) and with waves like that and gale gusts in the squalls in the dark it becomes somewhat less safe than in the day. We awoke this morning to find that the seas had only slightly calmed down and that the drogue that we had attached to the stern had broken free. We do have a spare though but it certainly hilights the fact that the North Pacific Ocean really is tough stuff. We’d only used the drogue about three times. Shame we can’t take it back for a refund!
Needless to say we’re back at the oars again and continue to push eastwards. Onwards men!
37°59′0”N 147°20′59”W
Chris & Mick travelled 39.2 miles East-South-East (heading 104.3°) on day 131
They ended 1352.0 miles from San Francisco (36.5 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 3693 to 3730 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 28.5 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 47.5 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 5 Nov 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East (heading 82.8°)
See where the boat is
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
12 Responses to “Day 131 - Adrenaline Overload”
Yes, I totally understand mate. This morning in a teleconference I realised I hadn’t produced a document that the costing and pricing guys needed.
That was pretty scary.
By Laser.Beam on Sep 16, 2009
Good effort lads. You dont seem to be letting anything phase you. Very cool.
Keep rowing hard.
By John Hanafin on Sep 16, 2009
Flipping heck guys, keep yourselves safe, night off was def the right call, hopefully you both feel a little more rested to contend with nature at full throttle….
Better than Alton Towers then eh?
By Dizzi Blonde on Sep 16, 2009
WOW! Sounds totally wild. I can picture it perfectlly and am feeling the madness. This is the stuff you’ll remember when you get home and is what true adventure is made of. It feels like so few of us ever experience something like what you’re both going through right now and it’s what makes you guys my heroes. Well, second after the illegal immigrants they IVd on Panorama the other night who walk across African deserts with only a few drops of water then stow away in the bottom of an already sinking boat to try and cross the great waters to Europe. And I thought you two were brave/bonkers!!!
Lots of love x
By Margaret on Sep 16, 2009
This weekend, Mum Martin told me it was time to throw out a favourite pair of loafers. As one of them had a dirty great split across the sole, I suppose she had a point. My mind went back to when I’d bought them, and I thought I’d like to share the story with fellow bloggers, especially as the lads are going through a bit of a testing time at the moment.
One of my few vices is a penchant for charity shops, and about 8 years ago, I found myself in the Oxfam shop in Kingston. Normally, I make a beeline for the second-hand books, but on this occasion, my eyes lit upon a pair of (sort of) blue suede shoes (cue, Elvis Presley!).
Thus came a totally chance conversation with the lady behind the counter, which I remember like it was yesterday:
Thinking about…..casual shoes…..suitable for use on the tow-path…..oh, I go there…..to watch my son row…..how old?…..which school?…..what’s his name?…..”Oh, THE Chris Martin! The one with the boat named after him?” (genuflecting in my direction)…..”Well, yes actually” (beaming with pride and grinning from ear to ear)…..”Wow! He is the idol of my son and all his fellow rowers at school…..”
Exit one proud Dad through the door…..floating about six inches above the ground!!!
By Dad Martin on Sep 16, 2009
Good on yer, Dad Martin!
Hi Chris and Mick
Non stop rockin’ an’ a rollin’ - phew you lads have incredible stamina - but then you have no choice as this is what one would call imperative survival. Do hope the seas settle down a bit to give you two amazing guys a bit of a rest! Oh for the peace and quiet of a millpond eh! We are all so impressed at your bravery. Keep going…. not too long now and you will be approaching the Golden Gate…. keeeeeep smiling, keeeeeep rowing in between monster waves and keeeeeep safe.
By Sue from Cornwall on Sep 16, 2009
BTW Chris I am eating one of your strawberry coconut bars - YUMMY. Can’t believe you hate them so much.
Dad Martin, Oxfam stores really are the best. I went on a shopping spree yesterday and £40 later I was the proud owner of a dress, 2 cardigans, a pair of trousers, a golf cap and a tech top. All looks brand new and all good labels. Nothing like a bit of rampant consumerism to benefit aforementioned illegal immigrants.
By Margaret on Sep 16, 2009
Well i have to say it boys you can keep those waves dont want any of them in Kona!!you are both so awesome an bo for getting you through just keep safe an warm an love to bo.
By jenny b on Sep 16, 2009
So there I was this afternoon, doing a spot of shopping in downtown Addlestone, when I chanced into Oxfam (where else?). The carousel by the front door had an impressive selection of cards for sale: you know the type, with an Edwardian/Victorian picture on the front, together with a witty observation.
The first one to catch my eye?…….”If you’re not embarrassing your children, you’re not enjoying yourself as much as you can.”
No further comment!
My next port of call was the public library. I’d only been sitting down for two minutes when a mother and toddler group behind the next partition burst into song:
“Row,row,row your boat, gently down the stream…..”
Aaaargh!
By Dad Martin on Sep 16, 2009
You will see from my new name I am still on hold in the south west and am full of pasties, cream teas and ale! As for the rowing I’m happy only ever having done the “demanding” flat water type as opposed to this easy crusing the Oceans!
(Chris, word of advice talk up the difficulty of this ocean rowing lark or else us river lot will stop being so impressed. Personally, although I’ve never rowed an ocean I think the Pacific may tougher than eventhe fours head in 97, bad year 97)
By Biff (still in Cornwall) on Sep 16, 2009
Those sound like some fairly knarley breaks, good to read you guys are sticking it to Neptune with another 32 miles in the bag.
Awesome!
By Peperami on Sep 16, 2009
Me & another school kid once rowed all the way across Hickling Broad, the biggest of the Norfolk Broads. It was about 3 miles, seemed forever when you were only about 11. ‘Borrowed’ the boat too - wonder what happened to it?
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Sep 17, 2009