When Kim & I were in Seattle in June, we met Nigel & Kristin’s friends Claudia & Russell. All six of the aforementioned could be described as certifiably crazy to some extent, but I think, right at this moment, Russell takes the podium.
To see what I mean, keep an eye on the trip-site http://devon.irvacationtohell.com/ over the coming weeks.
There are not many people daft enough to paddle in the Arctic Circle where the sea at the get-in is currently still frozen, let alone a 60-mile open sea crossing, then portage their kayaks & gear across a frozen island for a week before paddling some more, including either another 40 mile open crossing or a 100-mile detour. And all in a generally northerly direction. The trip is expected to take six weeks out of an Arctic summer window of only 8-10 weeks.
See the madman & one of his compadriates talking about the trip at http://www.immersionresearch.com/2008/03/21/interviews-with-the-sweetwater-crew/#more-114
If you still need persuading, further evidence, (along with the entry for next year’s competition if you’re completely crazy too), at http://www.irvacationtohell.com/