My science advisors, Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation, just posted some updated details of the expedition's scientific connection.

Here's a link to the post on Facebook.

Things are hectic, but coming together. A large part of my food provision strategy fell apart completely, and I'm running around like crazy trying to piece together solutions at the last second. Fun!

My newly refitted expedition raft from Alpacka Raft arrived yesterday. Loving the new whitewater friendly cockpit design!

In other news... I'm pretty close to nailing down a deal that will allow me to make an exciting announcement related to filming and availability to watch video updates while the expedition is in progress. The documentary will still go down as planned, but this means you won't have to wait forever to get some idea of what's going on. I think this is a pretty cool development, and I'm looking forward to telling you more!

Minimum funding goal: SMASHED

Satellite phone goal: NAILED

And so the last day of the funding push begins. At this point I'm fluctuating between varying degrees of excitement, gratitude, and the lingering edge of raw nerves. The images of wild places are starting to gel more often -- built from memories, reverse-engineered distorted satellite images, and hazy imaginations. My dreams have started to leave my current latitudes behind as my mind attempts to prepare itself for the challenges of adventure though water conditions unknown and down trails unmapped.

Your support thus far has been surprising and a motivation. There will be moments on the trek where I'll be unable to avoid the inspiration drawn from the hundreds of people who backed this project in efforts to ward off isolation.

This will likely be my last update before time expires on this funding campaign. So for the last time, I'll ask you to share your excitement for the project throughout the interwebs. The countdown is on. We only have 24 hours to go.

I've raised the expedition funding target to $9624 to allow for the purchase of a satellite phone. There is a major problem with relying on only one method of electronic communication on an expedition like Fatbikerafting the Arctic. The combination of GPS tracking and communications (however limited) creates the side-effect of massive panic when a single device goes offline. My original communication strategy was what I considered minimal, but I always recognized it was problematic.

The addition of a sat phone will help prevent people (like my mom) from freaking out and launching unnecessary search & rescue efforts if an individual electronic device fails for whatever reason. The increase in the target includes $1,299 for the hardware, and $625 for 500 total minutes over 12 months. This is not an extravagant plan, but the minimum available that's long enough for the duration of the expedition. 

Adding a satellite phone to the expedition does not come without reservations. Not least of my objections is that I have to carry the thing -- it adds significant weight and takes up precious space. I'm also cognizant of the pros of disconnecting from constant communication. However, this expedition ain't just a weekend hike. There are serious challenges and real risks to consider. In any case, use of communication devices will be seriously limited by battery charging and the sheer amount of focus I must engage to travel such a distance in such a tight weather window. In other words, satellite stuff will be switched off most of the time.

What about cell phones? Once I cross over the Arctic circle, there will be only one tiny spot of cell signal in Canada, and one in Alaska. Both are hundreds of miles apart, and hundreds of miles from anything else. From the time I turn south from the Arctic Ocean until I reach Anchorage months later, there are zero cell towers on my route.

Cool Coincidence

Twitter just announced a partnership with Iridium, the company that provides the satellite service I'm using for the expedition. That's cool for a couple reasons. First, about 25% of the backers of the expedition project have come in directly via Twitter. Second, I've been asked quite a bit about how people can stay updated.

Here's a snippet of Twitter's press release:"Twitter began as an SMS service. Today, we continue to build out SMS capability because we recognize the importance and value of making our service available to every person on the planet. No matter what device people use — from the most advanced smartphone to the simplest feature phone — people around the world should be able to send and read Tweets. "

The addition of the sat phone will not only provide safety (and sanity to people who worry about me), but will allow me to tap into this new twitter development. Those wishing to follow along with routes and updates would be able to. A side-effect of this is that I can link the expedition facebook page to the Tweets. About 13% of you became backers through Facebook and I haven't forgotten you.

We passed the minimum funding goal! In celebration, I set things in motion on some important fronts since time is critical and there's much testing to be done. I've just begun testing on the satellite text messaging communications as mentioned in the video and pictured on the main project page.

I'm using a DeLorme inReach for the satellite uplink, and a Motorola Defy+ to feed the messages. Both are GPS capable so if batteries die in one or the other, I can still track location for future reference.

Other than keeping this sort of gear charged, keeping it not dead from the elements is another challenge. The satellite doohickey seems pretty well-built for outdoor use. The phone is built to be "dustproof" and waterproof at up to 3 meters for 30 minutes. I do have some reservations about its durability, but there aren't a lot of waterproof options in the Android realm.

Remember that Louis C.K. video where he's talking about how everything's amazing, and nobody's happy? He mentions how cool it is that our phone calls travel to space and back instantly. While that may or may not be true of a regular cell phone call, it's definitely true with this setup. We're going to space, baby! Such a cool capability.

Another things that's cool is that I was able to find the inReach on eBay... brand new.. for right about retail + ONE YEAR OF FREE SERVICE!!! It's not the minimum service level either, but their best plan. That buys 120 text messages per month. Unfortunately, texts coming and going count against that so it's still limited compared to a regular cell plan. Anyway, that saved the project $600. Always keepin' an eye on your investment!

Well I still have a zillion things to do, and a bunch of crucial purchases are awaiting the Kickstarter funding. Just to give you an example of how much every backer beyond the original goal helps... I've had some commitments fall through, and my food budget estimate will probably turn out to be $2,000 - $3,000 off in the wrong direction. Fun.