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Schedule as of 10/06:

• Arrive Dublin 5-27
• pickup boat
• customize it - foam, etc
• test and refine customizations
• purchase food & repackage it
• Launch 6-1
• head south, circumnavigate clockwise
• Arrive in Dublin by 8-24
• Fly back to the States 8-25

The numbers:

• Distance approximately 1200 nautical miles
• 84 days/12 weeks for paddling
• Paddling days - about 60
• Weather/rest days - approximately 24
• Average mileage per paddling day - 20 nautical miles
• Average mileage per week - 100 nautical miles

Of course, few things go according to plan. 84 days is a lot of time, 1200 miles is a large distance and many things can happen. A conservative plan provides a margin for the unexpected and unknowable variables of weather, conditions, health, etc while still allowing for the best case scenario, finishing ahead of schedule, to occur. The extra time also allows for being a tourist. Also, judgment, deciding to go or not go, is best done with minimal schedule pressure.

Nutrition:

There just isn’t data on trips like this or the sport of sea kayaking regarding diet, caloric intake needs, etc. Working with Donna Marlor of Endurance Sports Nutrition, she will be collecting and analyzing data during the trip to address this area.

Resupply:

  Tentatively I plan to carry a couple weeks worth of staples with me and resupply with fresh food along the way. Food can be bought in towns along the way. Some, areas such as the northwest, will have few towns while in the south, there will be more.

  It appears (as of 10/06) that I will have food drops along the way. Kevin Lehner of Milwaukee, WI has generously offered to do a food drop. Jukka Linnonmaa and his wife Anna from Helsinki, Finland can do that as well.

  Water will be carried along. From my research so far, it doesn’t seem I’ll need to carry more a a few days worth. Irelands long history of settlement has left wells in many areas and a damp climate is common, especially outside of the south.

Paddling partners:

The trip is a solo one. A friend from Helsinki, Finland, Jukka Linnonmaa, is planning on joining me during his vacation. It is possible that Nancy Uschold and Stew Joseph of Marquette may come over at different times as well.

 

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