Sublime

As a storm raged across the Irish Sea, we’d sought refuge in the small Welsh harbour of Solva, renowned for its quaint cafes, craft shops and galleries.

William (Willi) F. Unsoeld, Ph.D.: 36, Corvallis, Oregon; Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religion, Oregon State University, on leave as deputy Peace Corps representative in Nepal; Climbing leader.

“Such tireless energy as Roosevelt’s I have never known,” said Captain Edward McCauley, Franklin’s naval aide, “except perhaps for his kinsman, Theodore Roosevelt. I thought I was fairly husky, but I couldn’t keep up with him.”

You must remain quiet, still and strong and any involuntary twitch of the cheek might split the mud and cause you to be branded a coward.’

A great diver learns to stand down his emotions. At the moment he becomes lost or blinded or tangled or trapped, that instant when millions of years of evolution demand fight or flight and narcosis carves order from his brain, he dials down his fear and contracts into the moment until his breathing slows and his narcosis lightens and his reason

Some of the trenails were started and beams buckled slightly under the terrific stresses. But the Endurance had been built to withstand the attacks of the ice, and she lifted bravely as the floes drove beneath her. The effects of the pressure around us were awe-inspiring.

‘The tide changes in five hours,’ Matt continued, now standing up from the ladder’s step. ‘I know the North of Scotland sailing authority states dangerous seas, violent waves and strong tidal races should be avoided by small craft, but you’re not a ‘small craft’. You’re a Viking warship making your way home to fulfil a promise made to your dad.’ I

Imagine what they could do to this lightweight, ramshackle raft constructed by a crazy Norwegian who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

It was determined that Göran Kropp, a young Swede who had ridden a bicycle from Stockholm to Nepal, would make the first attempt, alone, on May 3.