Re: [Paddlewise] Book Review: Rowing to Latitude

Dave Kruger said:
> 
> Have not seen any reviews of books on PW in a while.  Here is one about rowing
> (not paddling) that I enjoyed:
> 
> Rowing to Latitude, by Jill Fredston, is an incredible narrative of successive
> explorations by her and her husband Doug Fessler, both Alaska residents.  In
> winter, they run avalanche training and rescue operations.  Summers, they ROW
> (not paddle) the waters of the Arctic.

I was meaning to post a review of this book also, as I enjoyed it 
very much.  However, you should note that Doug was in a kayak for most
of the book (as far as I could tell), and on the coast of Greenland they 
were joined by a kayaking friend.  So if the rowing part puts you
off, you can read it anyway! :-) 

However, I don't think the boat is so important, as the heart of the book
is about the journey.

There isn't much chest thumping ... however 50+ miles, no matter how
good of a day, blew me away, especially as she was rowing and
Doug was in a kayak.  Only once did she mention the forward facing
kayak (with Doug in it) gave any advantage,  when it provided the 
navigational aid necessary to get them both safely to shore.

She also admits to portions of the trips being ugly and painful and full
of bugs - how many authors have that honesty in their tale?  Also, she
gives a different picture of Greenland than you see from all the lovely
photos (which she says are true as well).

jen

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