EC2018 - Day 7a

Mzee pulled into Key Largo last night at around midnight wrapping up an epic Everglades Challenge for Team Kruger.  Congratulations!

However, the adventure continues for Bacon, who is paddling all the way around Florida!  He left early this morning looking to take advantage of favorable winds for a quick run up the east coast.

If you are on Facebook, he is posting updates here:

EC2018 - Day 6i

And now, even more Team Kruger finishers!
Finishing in the smokey haze are Whale, Bacon, HuronHugh and GitchyGoomy.  Congratulations guys!

EC2018 - Day 6h

Many finishers!

First Kruger of the day was SandyBottom at 2:30 this afternoon.

...followed closely by three Cruisers at around 4.  Congratulations to Mark, Lauren, Brian, Marissa, Mark P and Donna!

EC2018 - Day 6g

The Cruisers are on final approach to Key Largo!  LeewardLauren just sent in this great video of the action.

EC2018 - Day 6f

I love that there is good cell coverage in Florida Bay :)  It means we can get a glimpse of how trying the conditions are and how hard our intrepid expeditioners are working... or something like that...

EC2018 - Day 6e

It looks like Mark and Lauren's portage wheels can't take the stress anymore and are trying to get away!

EC2018 - Day 6d

Four SeaWind canoes left CP3 just after 9:15:

HuronHugh and GitchyGoomy - SeaWind catamaran

Bacon and Whale

EC2018 - Day 6c

Three Kruger Cruisers let CP3 this morning just after 8.

SandyBottom sneaked out before the other Krugerheads woke up, since she is already past the Dump Keys.  Looks like there should be lots of finishers today!

EC2018 - Day 6b

Direct from Facebook... a great account from GitchyGoomy:
"Day 5/6. 
It’s actually a blend of days because it’s been pretty continuous. This is a pic of our campsite yesterday. Left early and battled weather all down the coast. Dodging thunderstorms. Do you remember that scene in the movie ‘Last of the Mohicans’ when the doomed British dudes were being chased in a canoe by the really mean Indian guys? That was us. The British guys. Except we were fleeing a storm. And our canoes are smaller. And we have cooler paddles. And we’re not British. But you get the point.
We kind of freaked out when we saw lightning, ducked into a beach, put up a tarp shelter and built a small fire. Ready for the storm.
After about 15 raindrops the storm passed. So we pressed on. Some seriously scary following seas—constantly fighting getting swamped. Decided to cut the corner at the bottom of the state instead of go around to avoid that stuff at night.
After some seriously Jurassic Park-lookin’ river paddling for 8 more hours we got here at Flamingo at 3:30 am. Then had to break down the boats to do a small portage.
Then sleep for 1 1/2 hours. Then up and now getting ready for last 40 miles into Key Largo.
My body hasn’t ever been subjected to anything like this before. It’s been an interesting experience to find out what we are capable of.
I also learned it is possible to wash my feet in the sink here at the marina. I literally gagged at the smell from them being in wet suit boots for 6 days. Couldn’t deal.
Thanks for the prayers. They worked because the winds have been the right direction and we are almost there."

EC2018 - Day 6a

From our roving reporter in CP3, NiteNavigator:

"I fall asleep for 1/2  hour and 3 Kruger canoes show up.  I would have taken a picture of Kapakahi & boo but they already crawled in their tent.  All are going to sleep for a while"

Even more Kruger's had shown up by the morning.  

Whale and Bacon

Mark and Lauren's Cruiser

Brian and Marissa's Cruiser (front)
HuronHugh and GitchGoomy's SeaWind catamaran (rear)

EC2018 - Day 5e

Lots going on tonight!
CrazyWildFire and MateyThor (Greg and Thor) are at the finish after a blazingly fast sail across Florida Bay.

Back at CP3, a steady stream of arrivals...
First in was SandyBottom:

Next in were the two "outside route" Cruisers with Mark P, Donna, Brian and Marissa.

And just behind were Mark and Lauren who texted me from the middle of Whitewater Bay
"Skipped oyster bay and heading straight for cp3.  Sailing seemed promising but ended up going bare poles because wind is very strong and navigation is difficult.  One more jump and we'll be across whitewater bay.  Probably will spend the night at cp3.  Back near cell service but poor reception."

Meanwhile... Bacon, Whale, HuronHugh and GitchyGoomy are all in Joe River and will probably pull into CP3 in the early morning hours.
Mzee looks to be camping on Wood Key, waiting to finish the run into CP3 in daylight.

EC2018 - Day 5d

MicroTom and WaterLily finish EC 2018!  Congratulations to this father / daughter team!

EC2018 - Day 5c

CrazyWildFire and MateyTHOR (Greg and Thor) have arrived (in the rain...) at CP3!
The radar showed a line of storms moving through the area, but this doesn't seem to be slowing anyone down.  They plan on grabbing a bite to eat, then head out for the finish.

Checking the trackers, Mark and Lauren are out of the Nightmare and are headed up Harney River and about to make the turn down Shark River.  If the "outside" cruisers head in at Shark River, there is a small chance they all meet up again before CP3.

EC2018 - Day 5b

This just in... MicroTom and WaterLily arrive at CP3!  They are planning to head back out as soon as they can.

In other Krugerhead news...
Mzee left CP2 headed towards the Gulf.
It looks like Mark P, Donna, Brian, Marissa, and the Kruger catamaran of HuronHugh and GitchyGoomy are all traveling together currently near the Plover Keys.
SandyBottom is little farther south, near Highland Beach.
Mark and Lauren just headed into The Nightmare.
Whale and Bacon are on Broad River, probably headed into the Nighmare in a couple hours.
Greg and Thor are in Joe River, and should be to CP3 this afternoon.

EC2018 - Day 5a

First Kruger to the finish is BeaV, who finished at about 8:30 this morning!  Congratulations BeaV!

Mzee is into CP2 a little before 8am this morning.

EC2018 - Day 4d

BeaV is into CP3!  This is a man that knows how to portage!  He's planning a short break the heading out for this finish.

Mark P just sent me this beautiful picture... sunrise over Chokoloskee Bay, on the way into CP2 this morning.

EC2018 - Day 4c

HuronHugh and GitchGoomy have arrived at CP2!

In the meantime... Brian, Marissa, Mark P and Donna are lounging around CP2 waiting for the evening tide to carry them out to their campsite at Pavillion Key.  While they were waiting, Marissa rescued a boat that drifted off the beach!  It looks to me more like a pleasure cruise than a challenge...

From the tracker...
- Mzee is on the Big Marco River, headed towards Goodland.
- WindwardMark and LeewardLauren are on their way through the Wilderness Waterway, currently in Chevelier Bay.
- MicroTom and WaterLily are through the Nighmare and into Upper Broad Creek, which is usually more difficult to navigate.  Good luck!
- Greg and Thor are just off Highland Beach.
- BeaV is in Joe River, probably getting into CP3 late tonight.

EC2018 - Day 4b

More CP2 arrivals...
First in were WindardMark and LeewardLauren

Followed a few minutes later by SandyBottom, Brian and Marissa, then Mark and Donna.