From roughly 25 July 2024, Stefan will be part of an expedition team that will attempt to row the legendary Northwest Passage. They expect to reach Herschel Island, their finish line, next to the Alaskan border (see maps below), after 8 to 10 weeks. One member will always be on polar bear watch, because you don't want those pesky furries to dull the mood on board. The team will be completely unsupported.

[This map shows the route last year's team rowed.]

LAST YEAR'S FIRST LEG (OF TWO) OF THE EXPEDITION

Great thanks go to last year's expedition team, who successfully made it to the half-way point in Cambridge Bay. Due to work and family commitments, only two members of last year's team are joining again this year.

[This year's team will pick up the baton at last year's finish point, Cambridge Bay, and attempt to row to Herschel Island, almost all the way to Alaska.]

THE RISKS

Icebergs pose a very severe risk, especially because frequent occasions of thick fog mean that visibility might be down to two metres at times. There are no reliable maps. GPS and compasses do not work so close to the North Pole. And storms can be vicious up there. A separate expedition several years ago ended up with a heavily damaged boat, when the boat had been lifted entirely out of the water, then crashed back down into it in a vertical fashion. They were able to fix the leaks, reach the next settlement, and abandon. No fatalities.

[The world's largest land predator is actually a marine mammal: ursus maritimus]

STEFAN'S BACKGROUND

Stefan is an intermediate river rower and past adventures include Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, a descent down the deepest section of the UK's largest cave, a sump dive in another cave, and paddleboarding the Thames source to London. He is also a keen climber, long distance open water swimmer, and ultra-runner.

[Hermione's current location at Cambridge Bay.]

FUNDRAISING FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK

In 2007, Stefan's mom, who has always been very close to him, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at an advanced stage. After successful treatment, the cancer has now been in remission for almost 12 years. Together with Stefan's dad, she lives a full, happy life in good health, despite her advanced age of 79 years. The couple still live in the same house where Stefan grew up, in a small town near the Bavarian Alps.

[The picture above shows relatively calm seas. During a proper storm the waves get a lot bigger.]

WORLD'S LARGEST INDEPENDENT CANCER CHARITY SUPPORTS RESEARCH ACROSS THE WORLD, NOT JUST IN THE UK

As the world's largest independent cancer charity, there are few organisations who have done more to work on cures for cancer. Stefan donates to them on a monthly basis. As early as 1977, Cancer Research UK published pioneering research into non-Hodgkin lymphoma, that would change the game forever. There are currently several Cancer Research UK projects focused on finding more effective treatments for lymphoma. Even though Cancer Research UK is a UK charity, the research results are, of course, being made available to hospitals and scientists worldwide.

[Above picture shows Hermione being pulled to the starting line at Pond Inlet, a bit over a year ago.]

Any amount, no matter how small, will make a difference to reach the goal of raising £25,000 for Cancer Research UK, and every donation is hugely appreciated.