Day 180 - Evil Current Mk2
November 4, 2009 – 8:35 amThe data link is still down - Chris sent this as a voicemail which I have transcribed. Apolgoies to Chris for any words I’ve mis-heard!
Yesterday afternoon we started to feel the effects of a particularly evil current dragging us South (it later changed course to South West) at over a knot. We plugged away all through the night in perhaps the most morale destroying 12 hours of my life, but finally late this morning we seem to be edging out of it.
Food continues to be very tight and our new regime of one meal a day, a ration biscuit, a chocolate or cerial bar, and 2 coconut bars each plus 4 hot drinks is somewhat short of requirements. Imagine eating under half of what you did today then ask your body to do 12 hours of exercise (half of which at night in cold conditions) and then try doing that at the end of 6 months of hard exercise (again 12 hours a day) and an extended period of food rationing for the last month or so - tough doesn’t quite describe it.
Mick has been the most amazing team mate and is virtually always perky. Perhaps it comes from spending so much time in the water on his Marine training camps.
Whatever happens now it can’t be too long until we get to land.
38°52′58”N 125°26′50”W
Chris & Mick travelled 28.5 miles South (heading 174.3°) on day 180
They ended 176.9 miles from San Francisco (15.6 miles closer than yesterday)
They covered miles 4889 to 4905 of the trip
Their average pace so far has been 27.2 miles/day towards San Francisco
They have 6.5 days remaining at this rate, so would arrive in San Francisco on 10 Nov 2009
Their target heading for the shortest route to San Francisco is East-South-East (heading 113.6°)
See where the boat is
Welcome the crew to San Francisco
Sponsor Thanks
Thankyou Helena Smalman-Smith for sponsoring mile 4900. The boys covered this yesterday evening around 11pm as they battled their way out of the evil current.
Would you like to sponsor a mile?
Click on Mick and Chris to see where the boat is
39 Responses to “Day 180 - Evil Current Mk2”
Hi guys,
Glad you managed to get out of that evil current and be on your way again.keep plugging on you are almost there…You are the bravest of all and words cannot express how proud we are of both of you.Not long now,take care.PEACE!!
By Grace Dawson on Nov 4, 2009
Spoke to both the champs last night. Mick said we should all be very proud of Chris who is doing a sterling job. I would like to extend my thanks to Mick for continued cheerfulness in the face of adversity and a real display of what being a royal marine is all about. Despite food shortages and conditions not working in their favour the guys are doing incredibly well. They remain rational and determined. They’re both my heroes!
By Margaret on Nov 4, 2009
Hope you are still out of that current and another one does not pop up out of nowhere (unless it takes you straight to land, of course). Everything is crossed and our thoughts are with you both constantly wishing for good wind and weather to bring you in safely. You need some good luck after all your struggles.
By Mum Martin on Nov 4, 2009
Keep pushing on - we are all thinking of you and willing you on. I imagine that there are a fair few people ready, willing and able to buy you guys slap up meals for the next 6months.
By Boozy Bird on Nov 4, 2009
Margaret got in just before me.
Many thanks for your comment, Margaret. Glad you have talked to the boys. Another experienced ocean rower talking to them about their situation will be excellent support for them, and is certainly a comfort for us.
By Mum Martin on Nov 4, 2009
//tough doesn’t quite describe it.//
Tough doesn’t quite describe you two either. Just as well really.
You’ve already run up the side of the Rock of Gibraltar (why would you do that?) Just one more little hill; just one more small ridge; just one more slight incline.
Less than 1 week and you’ll be “westering home with a song in the air” (usually played by the Band of HM Royal Marines as warships enter harbour returning from long deployments)
By Typical Lightweight Matelot on Nov 4, 2009
Chris WHEN you and Mick make land these last 12 hours and the next few days will be worth every sinew of the effort you have both put in. This voyage is amazing, the fact you are doing this on such little rations for this last stint is to tough for any of us to imagine. With Mick I know you will make it.
By the way, how come in both your radio interviews the line sounds better from the Pacific via space than my mobile line speaking to somebody down the road!
By Biff on Nov 4, 2009
Oh and I’ve always thought currents were evil. Stick to sultanas.
By Biff on Nov 4, 2009
The tanker Sierra is currently NW of Bo and is bound for San Francisco. Her course is pointing right at our boys and she could be in their area at about 1300 UT. Bedtime for me in NZ but others may want to track that vessel on marinetraffic.com. Night all.
By Ned on Nov 4, 2009
Hi guys, is ocean rowing like biking? Can you get in the slip stream of a tanker? Stay safe, focus on that bridge and what is beyond it… Amazing
By Dizzie Blonde on Nov 4, 2009
only 176 miles left, sounds fine when you say it quickly but still a lot of hard work and effort for you, but you are nearly there, so good luck and hope you make good progress today
Linda xx
By linda on Nov 4, 2009
Ned and all hoping for a resupply
Unfortunately ocean rowing records, unlike most other expedition records, are not split into assisted and unassisted crossings. If you don’t row land to land with no assistance (ie. a tow or a resupply) then your attempt isn’t recognised by Guiness. Now that they are so close and are surviving okay there is a strong argument for not taking a resupply and going for the record. But ultimately that decision is down to them and I know that they will work together to choose the best option for them within safe paramaters.
By Margaret on Nov 4, 2009
I like you’re thinking Dizzie Blonde, maybe ride the wave, Chris being an ace at surf boat rowing!
Well done lads, unbelievable effort, praying you’ll get a nice tailwind, under current and incoming tide to help you gobble up those last miles in quick time. Keep safe!
By Beckers on Nov 4, 2009
Another unassisted world record from the Guiness World Record site:
“The most live rattlesnakes held in the mouth by their tails without any assistance is 10 by Jackie Bibby (USA) for 10 seconds as part of Guinness World Records day on 9 November 2006 in New York City, USA”.
Quite how you could hold rattlesnakes in your mouth assisted is not explained.
By Biff on Nov 4, 2009
So there you are guys, it could worse. You could have had to complete the last twelve hours with rattlesnakes in your mouths!
Well done, and keep it up. SO NEARLY THERE NOW!
By Max on Nov 4, 2009
Come on guys you can do it! Says Katie.
You will be alright and think of the meals you can have when you get home! says Emma.
Why don’t you do some fishing? says Jasmine
Just try your best you are nearly there says Natasha.
Keep going we know you will do it.
Hope to hear on Monday that you have made it - WOW!!!!
Class 4 High Bentham Primary School
By Class 4 (used to be Class 5) High Bentham Primary School on Nov 4, 2009
Biff, in answer to your question you’d probably have some certifiable loon looking after the lairy end for you.
In my humble opinion that would be much more sensible than the unassisted option. Not that I’d be that keen of holding either of the records. Maybe I could try the unassisted record for the number of evil currants in the mouth? I tried digestive biscuits yesterday, as I was bored, but ended up getting crumbs everywhere.
Chris & Mick, if my sums are correct, you now only have the equivalent of 35 trips on the Molesey reach left to go…you just need to picture the landmarks…Bird Sh#t Island, Pink Floyd, Thorneycroft, Aquarius, Naked Lady and then home for tea & medals!
I can’t put into words how impressed & amazed I am by the herculean effort that you guys have put in over the last few months…you are an inspiration to us all.
I found these quotes which seem to fit you two great Britons, from a couple of quite good Americans:
“Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom” (General George S. Patton)
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” (Abraham Lincoln)
I know you two will bounce very high indeed and that your resolution to suceed is second to none.
Good luck for the next few days.
PS - it’s Wallace & Gromit’s 29th birthday! today
By Higgsy on Nov 4, 2009
Hi Chris and Mick
Wonderful to see so many bloggers supporting you today, and I second what everyone has said, in great admiration of your stamina, strength and utter determination. My thoughts are with you all the way, wishing you safe and well and hoping that the weather and sea will behave kindly to help you to reach your your goal before too long. Thank goodness there are two of you so you can support each other through thick and thin. Keeeeeeeeeeep smiling, keeeeeeeeeeep rowing when you can and please keeeeeeeeeep safe. xx
By Sue from Cornwall on Nov 4, 2009
Correction - it’s Wallace & Gromit’s 20th birthday today.
Sorry.
By Higgsy on Nov 4, 2009
In the words of Lance Armstrong.
I’ve read that I flew up the hills and mountains of France.
But you don’t fly up a hill.
You struggle slowly and painfully up a hill,
And maybe, if you work very hard, you get to the top
Ahead of everybody else.”
Keep up the amazing stamanner and good work guys and may the currents turn in your favour.
Tanya and George
By Tanya and George on Nov 4, 2009
Watcha lads ,keep digging deep ,you both continue to inspire,amaze an make me so proud just to have been a “blogger”p.s. in honour of you both i am now wearing my ggb tee -shirt every day till you get there,it has to have a quick rinse out at night.You both ROCK ,be safe an love to bo.xx
By jenny b on Nov 4, 2009
Pure Awesomeness! Keep smiling and sticking two fingers up at the adverse currents and other nasty things Neptune might choose to throw at you guys and Bo.
As Higgsy said you guys are truly inspirational.
Bring it on!!
That’s probably 34 molesey reaches by now, it’s coming down all the time :o)
By Peperami on Nov 4, 2009
You both are amazing and an inspiration to more people than you can imagine, Godspeed
By Bill Fitz on Nov 4, 2009
Yeah and another thing before i go stand in the pool for hours me an Mr B (Henry) will not drink any more Bo beer till you have reached GGB.XX
By jenny b on Nov 4, 2009
This comment assumes Mick as an honoury Molesey Boat Club member:
M-M-M-M-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-L-L-L-L-L-E-E-E-E-E-S-S-S-S-E-E-E-Y-Y!!!!!!!!!!
By Biff on Nov 4, 2009
At the 38°55’03”N 125°28’35”W mark Mick and Chris lead Choshi Japan by 4,905 miles.
By Henley Commentary on Nov 4, 2009
We don’t know what Chris’ steering is like, but hopefully Mick hasn’t been to the Lea RC school of steering…don’t hit the booms!
By The Henley Stewards on Nov 4, 2009
I don’t want to get your hopes up but C Beebies have a new kids programme called Dirt Girl World.
I’ll leave The Egypt!an to that one, just to say it’s a place I’d visit.
By Biff on Nov 4, 2009
you boys remind me particularly of Capt Bligh (frm HMS Bounty)! when not if! and it will be any day now…
Go! Go!! Go!!!
By Kelechi on Nov 4, 2009
Immensely strong, i’m very happy that you’re seeing yourself off on a starvation diet to make it even harder for yourselves! I’ll donate some money to your cause once my kiddy bank account lets me do internet payments. Keep up the hard work, it’ll all be good memories and great stories in a few days.
By orlando on Nov 4, 2009
HI THERE LADS.KEEP UP THE FANTASTIC WORK WITH THAT LAST BIG PUSH.Looking forward so much to seeing you both once again,although we know it will be a somewhat slimmed down version compared to Japan.Setting off early in the morning for the airport with your mum Mick.Roll on the GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE at the weekend with you both bellow it getting a drink{maybe even food}.ALL THE VERY VERY BEST The Joker & Callum
By The Joker & Callum on Nov 4, 2009
a bit late I know, after 31 entries, ones’ scroll button has quite simply worn down to a useless nub.
the mental state is probably in a squishy enough way to find this funny.. had me in silent sobs
Q: what is the correct use of the “semi-colon”
A: a semi-colon is a partial removal of the large intestine
don’t forget we are all behind you.. about 6000 miles behind you ( actually, in front of you now ), but it all counts :@)
Huge hug X one of those big blue furry “cup-a-soup” hugs
By Cath on Nov 4, 2009
Ah, now it all becomes clear!
I got round the company’s draconian policy on accessing sports-related websites when I realised you could pass it though a translator.
So I can keep up with progress, but I was a little puzzled until I got home and could see the real text. For example, (translating back) the idea of ‘people willing to smack you in the mouth for 6 months at a meal’ seemed scant encouragement from Boozey Bird.
Oh, and the currents/sultanas joke (Biff) really doesn’t cut it in German, though well done anyway.
Still, a bridge is a bridge in any language, and you’re heading for the only one that matters at the moment!
By davidT on Nov 4, 2009
MICK AND CHRIS! HEROES OF OUR TIME!. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LABOUR OF LOVE. Lots of love from all Hearts of Gold. ***Lady Marina, Ajoke, Grace, Anita, Grandpa, Tammie, Pero, Senami, Temi, Petra, Elizabeth, Joko, James, Sarah, Esther, Tomini, Beauty, Blessing, Mandela, Ariike, Makeba, Fashola, Cobahms, Samson, Adesuwa, Isabella, Ore, Ernest, Alice, Temi, Funmilayo, Morenike, Oriade, Oyin, Margaret, Ife, Aramide, Annabel, Sewa, Amaka***.
By Theresa Hearts of Gold on Nov 4, 2009
Hi Guys,
Hope you are right out of that evil current by now. Keep your spirits up - not far to go. Fantastic effort!
By Alan in Wiltshire on Nov 4, 2009
Cracking stuff chaps, there’s nothing more for me to add.
Hang in there!
By Boing Boing on Nov 4, 2009
guys - you’re within touching distance of san fran. the last leg always hurts the most - but you’re almost there. there will be a big him! celebration when you cross the line and again when you get back to blighty. go boys go - dig deep and focus on the finishing line
By tom fender on Nov 4, 2009
Good luck for the last push guys, in my experience after prolonged periods of dieting beer tastes so much better afterwards. I may even be pushed into buying you a pint or two!
By Rich Hardy on Nov 5, 2009
My planning calendar reminds us that this Sunday 8th November is “Remembrance Day (UK).”
I can certainly imagine Mr D peering down (or up) from behind the bar of the new Cowbridge Inn and winking at both of you while sipping the first toast at the GGE GE [Guinness Experience].
Balls to the wall - pedal to the metal - In by Sunday midnight GMT: Row Hard, No Excuses
By Wanna Be on Nov 5, 2009