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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Jun 10, 2010 - 07:18pm PT
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This is very troubling.
I've been following her blog daily, and what has been going on the last few days has been problematic. She has been in heavy seas, and is now suffering from fatigue. As people do, they make mistakes. Two days ago, she went to bed with moderate winds and seas, hoping that things would stay the same, or get better, and did not shorten sail. They got worse, and knocked the boat down (when the mast hits the water). This is a rookie mistake, and is what happens when you get people who don't have sufficient experience in the situation.
I differ with the earlier poster who says that age doesn't matter. Experience matters, and age contributes to that. Strength matters, and what a 17 year old boy can do, may not be possible by a 16 year old girl. It is a matter of the extra strength giving an extra margin of safety to do things. 16 year olds typically think "what could go wrong?" When you start to tell them, they think, "whatever" and tune you out.
Abby left about two months late, because the boat wasn't ready. She should have waited another year, but that would have endangered the record, which is what it is all about.
They attempted to make up for her deficiencies with hi-tech electronics and backups. This is the perfect setup for disaster.
Jessica Watson completed this voyage last month, and immediately got a $800,000 book deal. Look for more of this, when that happens.
Let's hope she is well.
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Slakkey
Big Wall climber
From Back to Big Wall Baby
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Jun 10, 2010 - 07:47pm PT
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Ken, there is no question that experience can be key to any type of situation such as this. However as for the rookie mistake comment well that too would apply to a number of well seasoned sailors in the IMOCA 60, Class 40, former ORMA 60, Classe 6.50m and G Class Cats not to mention numerous so called experienced sailors who have taken on the challenge on their own. Yes they are they pushing the limits of their craft and themselves but in many ways Abby is pushing her own limits. The question is I feel who are we to judge? There have been numerous skeptics regarding Abbys effort but I am not one of those persons. Be it the record, Fame or a future Book Contract that is her own personal choice. This however is not the time to be critical.
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Jun 10, 2010 - 07:57pm PT
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It is not Abby I am being critical of.
What she is doing/has done is nothing I wouldn't expect of a 16 y/o. However, that is the point. A 16 y/o, no matter what her experience, is not the equivalent of a Robin Knox-Johnston, who did this in a much smaller boat, with no electronic backup other than his radio that did not work mostly. He was a professional mariner before his attempt. Abby was a 16 y/o schoolgirl, with little life experience behind her.
The people with the life experience to make the decision were not her.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Jun 10, 2010 - 08:01pm PT
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Positive energy on this for Abby-She has gained plenty of experience to handle most any situations that may arise, so let's pause and fire out all the good vibes into the Indian Ocean for Abby.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Jun 10, 2010 - 08:02pm PT
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As a serious off shore sailor this was very disturbing and I agree that probably too much of the motivation was the "setting the record" The forces exerted on a boat in even minimally snotty conditions are huge...let alone the conditions she was in. To me the movement of the spirit of being in the mountains is similar to the spirit of being way out on the ocean...even in less than ideal conditions. But then being older my primary competition is only myself. One of the graces of garnering many life experiences. I hope for her the same that she will have the same chance to have many more life experiences. I worried too about Jessica. It's awful young, sailing isn't totally dependent on the youthful and strong body like so many other sporting activities are which means there are many many years available for serious sailing. And actually the "record" is only recognized in the popular press. The international sailing organization doesn't recognize records set by sailors this young.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Jun 10, 2010 - 08:18pm PT
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You need to question the parents motivation in cases like this. The "youngest" to.....whatever seems to be a powerful pull for people.
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Jun 10, 2010 - 10:08pm PT
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Sorry Ulrich, but while I sincerely hope for her safety, the southern ocean is a nasty place, particularly this time of year. She should have waited, or her parents should have made her wait.
Ken raises reasonable points, and we often discuss climbing epics and accidents in the same way here.
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Jun 10, 2010 - 10:50pm PT
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First off, I don't have kids.
"You need to question the parents motivation in cases like this. The "youngest" to.....whatever seems to be a powerful pull for people."
I often thought this myself, parents living through their children.
He has an interesting point.
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TrundleBum
Trad climber
Las Vegas
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Jun 10, 2010 - 11:35pm PT
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It was ultimately her descision to make.
A little to much processing perhaps?
She was a sailor and had salt in her veins.
She did what sailors do. They go to sea.
It's that simple not really any more complicated than that.
Regardless of technicalities.
Who did/decided what, when or how is irrelevent to me.
Some one entrusted her the command of a fine vessal,
that's a lot of trust.
I envy her on so many levels.
I applaud her strength of character in getting so far.
I applaud her skills right there with Slocum, Chichester or any others,
of any time, skilled, brave and determined enough to make a go of it.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 10, 2010 - 11:42pm PT
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I agree with Trundle bum.
How many climbers were doing ballsy sh#t at 16? I can think of a few.
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Jun 10, 2010 - 11:56pm PT
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I dunno about that.
I'd would have to imagine that doing "ballsy shit" climbing is certainly bold enough, but being in the middle of the ocean, by yourself, constantly being bashed by bad weather and huge waves is probably worse and a whole different can of worms.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jun 11, 2010 - 12:00am PT
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Experience aside 16 year olds need more sleep than older people and will
suffer more from the lack thereof.
Hope she is lashed in her bunk with her dry/survival suit on.
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nick d
Trad climber
nm
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Jun 11, 2010 - 12:47am PT
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I'm certainly grateful that my parents allowed me the chance to bet my life more than a few times climbing.
They absolutely hated that I did dangerous things, they just thought it was stupid and that no good would come of it. And truth be told I got badly injured several times.
My parents really loved me, so they let me do what made me happy. I really loved them for just accepting who I was.
I don't think you guys bashing this girl have a fvcking clue what she was thinking. I had already told my parents by that age that if I was killed doing what I loved, no matter how bad it might look I was going full speed ahead living my life for all it was worth. I didn't want to die. But I needed to live. My way.
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FRUMY
Trad climber
SHERMAN OAKS,CA
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Jun 11, 2010 - 12:51am PT
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THANK YOU TOM - BEST OF WISHES TO HER -
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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Jun 11, 2010 - 01:03am PT
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I think that it is true that its better if the parents are actively involved in their childrens activities. But I don't think it is wrong to question whether it is wise to send a 16 year old out on such a tough adventure.
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nick d
Trad climber
nm
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Jun 11, 2010 - 01:04am PT
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Send her out? Did you ever think they couldn't stop her from going.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Jun 11, 2010 - 01:10am PT
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Yep, we all did "ballsy" things when young...much of it behind our parents' backs or in some cases we engaged in dangerous activities with some level of either parent support, or often just their resignation. However, most of these risky activities usually involve others being around to some degree or help available within a reasonable period of time. Strictly from a "Mom" perspective the thought of my child being at such high risk and so alone is the part that just twists my innards. No one can know the dynamics of the family's decision making but I think most can understand the unimaginable pain the family is going through knowing that Abby is so alone during this trying time.
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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Jun 11, 2010 - 01:10am PT
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They can't stop the drive, but they can help guide it. How many 16 year olds can afford that kind of boat?
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cragnshag
Social climber
san joser
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Jun 11, 2010 - 01:21am PT
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Sailing around the world is dangerous, yes. But are her parents any more "criminal" than the 100,000 parents of morbidly obese American teens? Aren't these parents guilty of supplying the junk food and video games....
This gal's got some serious gumption and I hope she pulls through. She'll have so many opportunities for success as an adult.
Kinda ironic that a group of ROCK CLIMBERS would lecture anyone about personal risk...
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nick d
Trad climber
nm
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Jun 11, 2010 - 01:23am PT
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I notice she had corporate sponsership, and I bet she worked her ass off getting it.
My parents hated what I did but they let me do it. And I did dangerous solo things all the time.
Please stop bashing this kid and her family. Unless you were personal friends with them all you are doing is bad-rapping them based on no knowledge.
My parents were so afraid of what I did climbing they wouldnt look at the pictures I took. And still they let me go.
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