Soloautocircumnavigation and more
July 21, 2012 11:26 PM Subscribe
Software engineer Erden Eruç left in a rowboat from Bodega Bay, California on July 11, 2007, after riding his bicycle from Seattle. The goal? Human-powered circumnavigation of the globe., including climbing the highest peak on each continent, in order to educate, inspire (and raise some money for) children's organizations. On the evening of July 21, 2012, he completed his trip, mostly successfully.
Archives of regular dispatches from the trip can be found on the project site, including visits from sharks and reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Records set include a new Guinness World Record for a solo ocean rower for longest time at sea: 312 days.
Archives of regular dispatches from the trip can be found on the project site, including visits from sharks and reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Records set include a new Guinness World Record for a solo ocean rower for longest time at sea: 312 days.
No motors. No sails. Erden Eruc used nothing but his broad shoulders and powerful legs to row, paddle, hike and bicycle his way literally around the world.
Elsewhere it says the goal is to climb the highest peak on each continent on which they land, which I guess is reasonable.
Amazing feat regardless.
posted by hattifattener at 11:59 PM on July 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Amazing feat regardless.
posted by hattifattener at 11:59 PM on July 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
I had assumed he was single, but he says he wants to spend more time with his wife.
For some reason, I have a feeling that if and when they get into arguments, it will turn into a variation of the Will Farrell Dodge Stratus skit. "I ROWED ACROSS THE OCEAN."
A pretty incredible feat.
posted by dismas at 12:16 AM on July 22, 2012
For some reason, I have a feeling that if and when they get into arguments, it will turn into a variation of the Will Farrell Dodge Stratus skit. "I ROWED ACROSS THE OCEAN."
A pretty incredible feat.
posted by dismas at 12:16 AM on July 22, 2012
Meh. Tell me when someone circumnavigates the globe by muscle power alone, while juggling. But seriously, accomplishment inflation is pretty crazy these days.
posted by Chekhovian at 12:41 AM on July 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Chekhovian at 12:41 AM on July 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
While he rests up, I can undertake the equally challenging task of nitpicking the interpretation of "human powered"...
I assume he ate at some point during the voyage. If so, the ergs being expended ultimately derived from the solar power that drives the photosynthesis at the bottom of the food chain. And if he could freeload on the sun, I don't see why he couldn't freeload on the wind by using sails - especially since he was already using the even more sophisticated technological crutch of a bicycle.
posted by Egg Shen at 6:04 AM on July 22, 2012
I assume he ate at some point during the voyage. If so, the ergs being expended ultimately derived from the solar power that drives the photosynthesis at the bottom of the food chain. And if he could freeload on the sun, I don't see why he couldn't freeload on the wind by using sails - especially since he was already using the even more sophisticated technological crutch of a bicycle.
posted by Egg Shen at 6:04 AM on July 22, 2012
That's not a very convincing nitpick. Are you just being silly? "Human powered" means "eating food". That's how humans work. "Wind-powered" is different. Yes, the power ultimately comes from the sun in both cases. But the same is true for gasoline.
What an amazing accomplishment. Hats off to Erden Eruç.
posted by crazy_yeti at 6:33 AM on July 22, 2012
What an amazing accomplishment. Hats off to Erden Eruç.
posted by crazy_yeti at 6:33 AM on July 22, 2012
if he were truly bad ass he would have only eaten human meat.
But seriously that's fucking awesome, and I too thought he was single. I'm sure his wife is happy to have him back
posted by zombieApoc at 7:41 AM on July 22, 2012 [2 favorites]
But seriously that's fucking awesome, and I too thought he was single. I'm sure his wife is happy to have him back
posted by zombieApoc at 7:41 AM on July 22, 2012 [2 favorites]
The financial side of this always amaze me. I mean, how do you raise enough money to travel (or do anything you're passionate about) for five years?
posted by underflow at 8:19 AM on July 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by underflow at 8:19 AM on July 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
...the "he completed his trip" article just goes ahead and pretends there are only six continents.
Aren't we all pretending there are 7 continents? Europe and Asia are the same land mass, and Australia is just an overgrown island with a toad problem. What Eruc did is pretty mind blowing even if he didn't tick every box on everyone's checklist.
posted by fzx101 at 9:29 AM on July 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
Aren't we all pretending there are 7 continents? Europe and Asia are the same land mass, and Australia is just an overgrown island with a toad problem. What Eruc did is pretty mind blowing even if he didn't tick every box on everyone's checklist.
posted by fzx101 at 9:29 AM on July 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
Europe and Asia are the same land mass
As were North and South American before we dug a hole right between them, no?
posted by kenko at 9:42 AM on July 22, 2012
As were North and South American before we dug a hole right between them, no?
posted by kenko at 9:42 AM on July 22, 2012
In other news, today in Virginia, 4ster helped remove all of the carpet from three rooms, five closets, and a hallway in his house.
Wow, I obviously have a long, long way to go.
posted by 4ster at 4:44 PM on July 22, 2012
Wow, I obviously have a long, long way to go.
posted by 4ster at 4:44 PM on July 22, 2012
The problem with Eurasia is it is the only case where a continent separation is based on a chain of mountains. All other cases are separated by water or a narrow isthmus (ie, Panama & Suez).
But that's just geographical fun, and in no way detracts from this guy's activity. But I can't help but wonder, is this really more than some guy finding a justification for spending a few years having fun, in spite of the fact he's a married adult?
posted by Goofyy at 2:29 AM on July 23, 2012
But that's just geographical fun, and in no way detracts from this guy's activity. But I can't help but wonder, is this really more than some guy finding a justification for spending a few years having fun, in spite of the fact he's a married adult?
posted by Goofyy at 2:29 AM on July 23, 2012
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I don't want to nitpick his amazing accomplishment, but apparently he didn't even attempt Antarctica. I was curious how someone could possibly row to Antarctica, and I guess the answer is, "they can't," because the "he completed his trip" article just goes ahead and pretends there are only six continents.
posted by drjimmy11 at 11:55 PM on July 21, 2012