It's that kind of day

You know the kind of Sunday that feels like it is going slowly and yet, because you're not getting anything done, it is speeding by?  No?  You're lucky!

This particular Sunday is rapidly dissolving into very little of anything much at all.

Oh, well.  Back to the grind!

Getting down to business!

It's time to get serious.

I have been checking out the route and adding up the kilometres. Before calculating in any detours or back-paddling to avoid huge whales the kilometre total still stands at approximately 450km.

I have been looking into interesting variations on the route and emergency contingency plans should the weather or ice demand them. The most interesting variation is a portage of 3km (multiplied by the number of times I walk it!) to get from one fjord into another. I can pack the Kodiak into a large backpack and carry it overland to put in at a hunter's cabin opposite two huge glaciers. Jane and I visited this area a few years ago and walked the portage route. We didn't carry anything though. Jean-Luc Grossmann and his team portaged it on their 2007 expedition. I saw them off from Uummannaq that summer and wished I was going with them - this summer I will follow at least part of their paddle wake!

Jean-Luc's expedition comprised 4 guys in hardshell boats, paddling 600km over 45 days. I will be one guy, one folding boat and about 450km in about 30 days. I just hope I can take pictures at least half as good as Jean-Luc's!

Back to the drawing board ... I am also confident that I can get on the water at midnight on the 22nd June. Leaving Uummannaq and paddling an easy 8km over to Stor Øen. When I was reading a lot of desert literature in my late teens I came across a passage describing how nomads began long journeys by travelling just a very short distance the first night. In the event that they forgot anything when they struck camp, they could easily return for it. Whereas I don't intend to forget anything, I really like the camp on Stor Øen! Good memories of summer trips.

I will then paddle on to Umanatsiaq on Ikerasak island and then on, and on and on ...

Gram Kajak sponsors TSS2010!

Today I received an email from Lars Gram of Gram Kajak. He would like to sponsor one of his beautiful Greenland paddles to be used on the TSS2010 expedition. A very generous offer I simply can't refuse!

From a paddling perspective I should experience a more efficient paddle allowing me to eat up the kilometres. From an aesthetic point of view, it would be crazy of me not to use a Greenland paddle. I have previously thought of making my own but I seriously lack even the most basic carpentry skills!

Be sure to check out Lars' range of Greenland paddles.

I am very excited about paddling The Seven Settlements with a modern skin-on-frame kajak from Folbot and to use a Greenland paddle from Gram Kayak!

Thanks Lars! You made my day.