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To the Ice and Beyond
Kiwi yachtsman Graeme Kendall was the first person to sail the Northwest Passage solo non-stop. Sailing east to west, he knocked off the “Everest of sailing” in just 12 days - the fastest recorded - as part of his extraordinary solo circumnavigation of the globe.
This is a story of determination, meticulous planning and rugged courage. All alone for 193 days in his purpose-built yacht Astral Express, Kendall crossed 28,000 miles of ocean, facing some of the Earth’s most terrifying seas. An enthralling adventure, To The Ice And Beyond will inspire you to live your dreams, and to never give up.
This is a story of determination, meticulous planning and rugged courage. All alone for 193 days in his purpose-built yacht Astral Express, Kendall crossed 28,000 miles of ocean, facing some of the Earth’s most terrifying seas. An enthralling adventure, To The Ice And Beyond will inspire you to live your dreams, and to never give up.
- GenresBiography
Hardcover
First published August 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 18, 2018
Terse account of a solo circumnavigation via the Northwest Passage.
This is a very good book.
The author accomplished a record solo navigation of the fabled Northwest Passage with a boat design quite different from that of the typical long distance sailor. The timing of the voyage was critical to avoid the boat-crushing ice in the maze of channels and gulfs in the far northern hemisphere. The authors description of the race against the clock, storms, and ever-moving ice is gripping.
I have read many books written by those who sail the world's oceans. The typical circumnavigation by sailboat is measured in years, with each transit spent mostly out of touch with the rest of the world. Each landfall comes with a description of the people and lands visited. For those sailors life can be sedate, there is no real calendar to keep or schedule to fret over. For those sailors their deeply ballasted boat may be all the home they have. Mr. Kendall's voyage is different. His boat is a high-tech greyhound of the seas, built for speed and toughness against the inevitable ice he will encounter. While I might have liked a bit more meat on the day-to-day bones of the story, Mr. Kendall is on a mission not unlike a trip to the moon, his observations reminiscent of those of an astronaut crossing the void in a spacecraft. The monumental risks and rewards were the same. Bravo to Mr. Kendall!
This is a very good book.
The author accomplished a record solo navigation of the fabled Northwest Passage with a boat design quite different from that of the typical long distance sailor. The timing of the voyage was critical to avoid the boat-crushing ice in the maze of channels and gulfs in the far northern hemisphere. The authors description of the race against the clock, storms, and ever-moving ice is gripping.
I have read many books written by those who sail the world's oceans. The typical circumnavigation by sailboat is measured in years, with each transit spent mostly out of touch with the rest of the world. Each landfall comes with a description of the people and lands visited. For those sailors life can be sedate, there is no real calendar to keep or schedule to fret over. For those sailors their deeply ballasted boat may be all the home they have. Mr. Kendall's voyage is different. His boat is a high-tech greyhound of the seas, built for speed and toughness against the inevitable ice he will encounter. While I might have liked a bit more meat on the day-to-day bones of the story, Mr. Kendall is on a mission not unlike a trip to the moon, his observations reminiscent of those of an astronaut crossing the void in a spacecraft. The monumental risks and rewards were the same. Bravo to Mr. Kendall!
April 1, 2019
Interesting book. Stoic reading
The adventure is truly five star, the book itself lacks feeling and depth. Nevertheless, definitely worth reading, short and to the point.
The adventure is truly five star, the book itself lacks feeling and depth. Nevertheless, definitely worth reading, short and to the point.
July 5, 2022
In his late 50's, Graeme Kendall, an experienced sailor, decides that he could circumnavigate the world, solo, by sail. Things fall into place, so he very matter of factly, goes ahead. Going means building a yacht to his specifications, without the ties or distraction s of sponsorship, in two years. Well connected in the yachting world, he has access to a lot of talent, excellent advice and support. His planning is meticulous and off he goes. He sails past Australia, across the equator and into the polluted Northern hemisphere. To sail through the North Passage requires exquisite timing and luck. While his timing is perfect, his luck is not. The passage is iced over. He accepts this and stops. Now his luck changes as he sells his boat but is offered its use for the NW passage another time. Back in Auckland, now in his 60s, Graeme flies north again to continue his journey. Icebergs, northern lights, 9m seas, narwhals, Belugas, auks, dolphins, a 2m turtle, the green flash, polar bears, endless horizons and star scapes. Occasional humour and bad poetry. Happy hour, philosophy and living in the moment. Recognition and brief fame. I would have liked a few more descriptions of songs at sea and maps of places mentioned in the text, and perhaps Graeme just going with the emotion instead of allowing emotion. But that's me, not Graeme. Excellent book.
January 28, 2021
Despite the small size of the book, this was a fairly detailed account of an incredible journey!
The author's writing is excellent. It's as though you're traveling right next to him from New Zealand, past the Australian reefs, off the coast of South Africa, passing through the glaciers bordering Greenland, and riding the Northwest passage into the Bering Sea. You're right there taking tea with him at midday and enjoying happy hour with him as the sun sets over the sea. You'll also enjoy some of the entertaining interactions between the writer and the indigenous aquatic life as they observed, and sometimes fearlessly inspected his boat.
To anyone who has ever wanted to travel the world on their own boat, this is the perfect book for you. Enjoy!
The author's writing is excellent. It's as though you're traveling right next to him from New Zealand, past the Australian reefs, off the coast of South Africa, passing through the glaciers bordering Greenland, and riding the Northwest passage into the Bering Sea. You're right there taking tea with him at midday and enjoying happy hour with him as the sun sets over the sea. You'll also enjoy some of the entertaining interactions between the writer and the indigenous aquatic life as they observed, and sometimes fearlessly inspected his boat.
To anyone who has ever wanted to travel the world on their own boat, this is the perfect book for you. Enjoy!
October 17, 2020
A great adventure but...
Recounting the epic undertaking by Graeme Kendall to sale single handed round the world taking in the fabled Northwest Passage, this book cant fail to be interesting. However, I never felt that I got under the author’s skin.
It goes without saying that in order to undertake such a voyage, the utmost research and preparation must be done and so it was. Mr Kendall certainly doesn’t labour under false modesty and he probably shouldn’t. This is a good read but not an engaging one.
Recounting the epic undertaking by Graeme Kendall to sale single handed round the world taking in the fabled Northwest Passage, this book cant fail to be interesting. However, I never felt that I got under the author’s skin.
It goes without saying that in order to undertake such a voyage, the utmost research and preparation must be done and so it was. Mr Kendall certainly doesn’t labour under false modesty and he probably shouldn’t. This is a good read but not an engaging one.
January 30, 2022
Riveting
Most sailing books I’ve read are about cruising types involving circumnavigation, interesting places, people and events and this is in a small way somewhat similar. However, the description of the design and build process of his boat is great in itself then, the relating of the storms, the wildlife and route information makes this book just wonderful.
A truly riveting read!
Most sailing books I’ve read are about cruising types involving circumnavigation, interesting places, people and events and this is in a small way somewhat similar. However, the description of the design and build process of his boat is great in itself then, the relating of the storms, the wildlife and route information makes this book just wonderful.
A truly riveting read!
September 12, 2020
Just concreted my plans to sail the Arctic!
This is one of the first long voyage books I have read, and i am now looking for more! The photos and the descriptions, some of the marvels of nature he got to see, im set to drift out to see as soon as my refit is complete. I cannot wait to go as one and return as another!
This is one of the first long voyage books I have read, and i am now looking for more! The photos and the descriptions, some of the marvels of nature he got to see, im set to drift out to see as soon as my refit is complete. I cannot wait to go as one and return as another!
May 14, 2020
Love the Ocean.
Planning and belief and courage in man and in his boat made the difference in accomplishing this feat. Both equally important.
Planning and belief and courage in man and in his boat made the difference in accomplishing this feat. Both equally important.
December 6, 2020
Inspiring and adventurous. Overall a good story.
Read
January 10, 2021Man overcoming tremendous challenges to sail al the oceans of the world, solo
February 21, 2021
An enjoyable description of Graeme Kendall sailing voyage from Auckland NZ to the Northwest passage and back.
July 20, 2021
So enjoyable!!
Keeps the reader involved, you almost feel as though you're taking the trip with him! Such an accomplishment and you're right there with him!
Keeps the reader involved, you almost feel as though you're taking the trip with him! Such an accomplishment and you're right there with him!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews