PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Grand Canyon river guide is attempting to become the first American woman to row solo from the California coast to Hawaii—a roughly 2,400-mile journey across the Pacific.
Kelsey Pfendler is also aiming to become the youngest person to complete the crossing and to finish in record time. She has been documenting the trip on social media, sharing the highs and lows of life alone at sea.
Pfendler says she has long been drawn to difficult water-based challenges—and has the experience to match.
She worked for eight years as a boatman in the Grand Canyon and has competed on the USA Women’s Open raft race team. She has crossed the Pacific twice before, but never alone.
“I wanted to do it alone and do it by myself and make it possible,” Pfendler said.
Pfendler is working to beat a women’s solo world record of just over 86 days. She says every day brings new obstacles.
“Last night was pretty big,” Pfendler said. “The waves got even bigger, and they were a little bit more confused. I spent most of the night rocking, rowing through it.”
Weather remains one of the biggest factors, along with the physical grind. Pfendler says she has developed dozens of blisters from rowing but continues to mark milestones along the way.
Pfendler expects to spend weeks at a time on her boat with a strict routine designed to keep her moving and safe.
She is surviving largely on dried and dehydrated food cooked over a small flame. For water, she uses a reverse osmosis system to turn seawater into drinking water. She also relies on solar power to keep key equipment running and charged, including her water purifier.
Sleep comes in short bursts. Pfendler says she rows for a few hours, then naps for about an hour before repeating the cycle. When needed, she uses a makeshift cot.
“I lay down and then there’s this hole where your legs go underneath the deck,” Pfendler said.
Pfendler’s land liaison says the U.S. Coast Guard is aware of her journey. She also has multiple tracking devices on her and her boat at all times.
Pfendler’s progress can be followed in real time through her social media updates.
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