Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 09:48:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: George Dyson <rowlf.cc.wwu.edu!gdyson@imagelan.com>
To: baidarka@imagelan.com
Subject: Re: Andy Wones; Bamboo boats
In-Reply-To: <9508012310.AA08628@hpbs1686.boi.hp.com>
Message-Id: <Pine.ULT.3.91.950802094001.381B-100000@rowlf.cc.wwu.edu>
One of the most daring (if not the most daring) kayak adventures was
Fridjtof Nansen's attempt at reaching the north pole with dogs and kayaks,
returning safely (barely) to Spitzbergen by kayak (after eating the dogs).
The kayaks suffered attacks by walrus, polar bear, and every imaginable
abuse. They were made of bamboo with canvas skin. The highlights were
excerpted in Sea Kayaker magazine vol 2 no 1 Summer 1985. I would not be
surprised if some remains of these kayaks exist in a museum in Norway,
Nansen (who won a Nobel peace prize) is a great national hero whose memory
is deservedly preserved.
George B. Dyson gdyson@henson.cc.wwu.edu
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