Alaska - The First Step

Hi

My name is Tristan and I am writing to you on behalf of myself and my very good friend Ben Pike. Ben and I are searching for people who would like to become part of our next trip by helping us make it happen.

I am from Australia and Ben is from England. We met while working as zip line and night walk guides in Cape Tribulation, a small pocket of rainforest in far north Queensland, Australia. Since then we have collectively navigated over a thousand kilometres of the Amazon River in our own boat, traded supplies with local tribes for camping rights in Brazil, experienced armed robbery in Belize, driven dog sleds in Norway, walked beneath glaciers in Svalbard, navigated Sri Lanka and India by tuk-tuk, built a boat and sailed the length of the Caribbean, worked on a commercial fishing boat in New Zealand, and hitched, hiked, and hopped across more than 100 countries.

Ben is an inspiring and adventurous traveller, with whom the journeys are never boring. A few years ago Ben told me about one of his many ideas for an amazing trip. He wants to be the first person to kayak from the Arctic to the Antarctic. While living together in Tasmania, we decided the time has arrived to put action to words and make this trip happen. Ben will kayak the length of the Americas, and I will accompany him for the first part of his journey, 8500kms around Alaska.

Ben recently completed a cycle trip on an old tandem bicycle from England to China – over 10,000 kilometres. His trip led him through central Asia, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. He met hundreds of people, many of whom joined him on the back of his bike for a stretch. For my part, I have just completed a nursing degree, which I plan to use to work in remote and outback locations in Australia, and then around the world in places where there is a need. Before that however, I will join Ben on another great and wonderful adventure.

Ben and I arrive in Anchorage in May. From there, we will fly to Barrow with equipment and supplies. We will begin paddling by the end of May or the beginning of June. One of the most difficult barriers we face is financing the expedition. Ben and I have made a budget for the trip around Alaska that includes kayaks and the equipment we will use while paddling, camping, and filming, as well as flights, food, and internet resources. Ben and I need to raise $20,000 each to fund this expedition to its fullest potential - $40,000 in total. It's a massive amount, and daunting to say the least. So anything that helps make this trip happen is enormously appreciated!

Sitting at home and reading about some of the horrible things that are happening in the world between human beings makes us feel two things - one, that we are so fortunate to have the freedom we do have, and two, that connecting with people who are different and beyond our current realm of understanding is crucial in combating attitudes and actions based on fear and ignorance. This trip, with your help, will allow us to do exactly that. By reaching out to us, we will be able to connect with even more people, and we will share every moment of the journey with you because we wouldn't be there without you!

A boat in harbour is safe. But that's not what a boat is for. We intend to leave the safety of harbour and live life to the fullest. But we want to be prepared and give ourselves every chance of success. The funds raised through your contributions will have a direct effect on our success. Embarking on a trip of this magnitude is an incredible process and when people like you show your belief in us it not only helps make it happen, but it shows us that its worth doing! Please help us spread the word even further by sharing the campaign with your friends. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Ben and Tristan