Another stupid believer...
Remember last year, the two women who wanted to trek to the Arctic believing it would be easy because of global warming...but then found it way too cold....
A BRITISH yachtsman attempting the first solo Arctic sea passage across northern Russia was examining his options after heavier than expected ice blocked his route, his manager said.
Adrian Flanagan is discussing with Russian authorities the possibility of using a nuclear-powered icebreaker to lift his boat out of the water and carry it round the most icebound stretch of Russia's Northern Sea Route.
“Basically it just means we're putting plan B into operation so if the worst comes to the worst and there isn't a break in the weather, we've got a plan,” Louise Flanagan, his manager and ex-wife said from Britain.
The 46-year-old entered the eastern end of the treacherous sea route that stretches from Asia to Europe across northern Russia in late July.
He had hoped that his 11m reinforced yacht would be able to get all the way to Europe due to lighter ice conditions observed in recent years, thought to be a result of global warming.
But after making his way through the Chukchi, East Siberian and Laptev Seas, Flanagan has been forced to a halt by heavy ice at the most difficult point in the route, the Vilkitsky Strait.
2 Comments:
But Fred . . .
All that extra ice is due to global warming isnt it?
Meanwhile the Star has a story on "Dryest August in history" neglecting to mention that in the Maritimes, Prairies and BC it was the wettest August in history.
As you have decided to publish your views probably based on other factually mis-informed blogs regarding Adrian’s Expedition I am taking the liberty of filling you in ..... that way if you decide to follow your last one up and write something accurate, you will be able to enlighten everyone else. 'Stupid' would be to undertake a voyage of this nature without expert advice. I think you will discover below that this has not been the case with Adrian.
Here is an accurate synopsis as published today at http://bsd.firetrench.com/
The Alpha Global Expedition has never had anything to do with a belief in Global Warming nor is he ‘an environmentalist’. Adrian Flanagan is not trapped in ice and has not pleaded for rescue by an ice breaker.
Adrian sailed from Britain in October 2005 in a titanium steel sloop Barrabas at the start of an epic attempt to make the first vertical circumnavigation by sea in history, by any sailor, or crew, in any kind of boat.
He sailed South down the Atlantic to Antarctica, rounded Cape Horn against wind and current into the Pacific.
He sailed North towards the Arctic.
Failure of the prop shaft cutless bearing approaching the Aleutians - can only be replaced by taking the boat out of the water, or using a diver - required him to divert to Nome, Alaska for the failed bearing to be replaced. That, together with early reforming of ice in the Arctic, meant the boat had to be stored ashore in Nome for the Winter of 2006/7.
Adrian returned this summer and put Barrabas back in the water, sailing to Provideniya, Chukotka Province, Russia.
Given the only permission ever for a lone sailor to navigate the Russian Northern Sea Route without even an escort, Flanagan sailed through the Bering Strait and turned West for home. He arrived at his planned holding point half way along the NSR three weeks ahead of schedule. He has been holding, waiting for a promised brief window of opportunity to pass through the PVK Strait. He, the Russians, and everyone else with any knowledge knew this section of the route would be extremely difficult. MDA/KSAT are providing daily high definition satellite images and the Russian Arctic Research Institute AARI is providing expert interpretation, with the Russian Western Arctic Marine Operations HQ in Murmansk providing NSR support.
Getting a lift (from whatever vessel is available) if conditions are not right is the sensible and responsible thing to do. Adrian does not want to endanger his life and he certainly does not want to endanger the lives of anyone else should he need to be rescued.
I hope this has clarified the situation for you.
Best wishes,
Louise Flanagan
Expedition Manager
Alpha Global Expedition
01844 202878/07710 577099
Skype: alphaglobalex
For all expedition news including background, photos and BLOG visit:
www.alphaglobalex.com
blog: www.agx.firetrench.com
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