Armchair Explorer: Travel and Adventure Inspiration

Best of Explorer: Voyage of the Finmen: Kayaking from Greenland to Scotland with Explorer George Bullard


Listen Later

Follow world-record breaking explorer George Bullard on a world-first kayak from

Greenland to Scotland across one of the most dangerous stretches of water on the planet.

No one thought they could do it. Most people assumed they would die trying – and they

nearly did, more than once. But, despite the odds, over six weeks, George and his

expedition partner Ollie Hicks, crossed 1,200-miles of open ocean from the edge of the

Greenland Ice Cap to Iceland, then on to the Faroe Islands, and from there to the north

Scottish shore. Paddling through the night, sleeping out in the sinister dark of the polar

ocean, battling storms, exhaustion and raging seas – this is the story of the most dangerous

kayak expedition ever undertaken.


But it’s more than that too. Three hundred years ago a mysterious figure in a strange

shaped canoe washed up on the coast of Aberdeen, in northeast Scotland. He was alive,

barely. No one knew who he was, where he came from, what language he spoke, and he

died a few days later before anyone could find out. Since then, the myth of the ‘Finmen’ has

continued to grow. The historical records describe his clothing as similar to what we now

know as hailing from Inuit culture. But it seemed impossible. Did a Greenlandic fisherman

cross the North Atlantic Ocean, 300 years ago, on nothing more than a seal-skin canoe? By

undertaking this journey, George and Ollie set out to unearth the truth behind the mystery.

If they could do it, perhaps the myth was true. Get ready for the Voyage of the Finmen.


Highlights include:


  • Kayak across one of the most dangerous stretches of water in the world, a section of

the North Atlantic between Iceland and Scotland, known as the ‘Devil’s Dancefloor’

because of the size of the waves and storms

  • Paddle through the midnight sun from Greenland to Iceland, and then 450-miles

around the crocodile teeth of the rugged fjords and soaring cliffs of North Icelandic

coastline, camping out on wild beaches along the way

  • Listen to one of the craziest rescue and survival stories you will ever hear
  • Find out what happens when George and Ollie are hit by an enormous hurricane 60-
  • miles off the Scottish coast

    • Be inspired by George’s love and enthusiasm for the outdoors and adventure. He is

    one of the UK’s most sought-after motivational speakers and will fire you up to embark on your next adventure wherever that may be.


    Who’s the Guest?


    George Bullard is a world record-breaking explorer, endurance athlete and motivational

    speaker. He is on a mission to rewild humans. He believes that through the outdoors we can

    change lives. To date he has covered more than 2,000 miles on foot in the polar regions

    (including the longest unsupported polar journey in history, at just age 19) and completed

    countless extraordinary expeditions around the world. George is passionate about

    encouraging others to climb their own Everest physically, mentally and emotionally. Follow

    him on Instagram and Facebook @georgebullardexplorer. Book him for motivational talks at

    www.georgebullard.co.uk


    Looking for inspiration for your next trip? George’s adventure travel company

    www.igoadventures.com curates one-of-a-kind adventures with purpose, for those looking

    for exceptional in nature. They are affordable, amazing and hand-crafted by one of the

    world’s greatest adventurers.


    Thank you to Juggernaut Wines for sponsoring this episode. This is the adventurer’s wine of

    choice, harnessing the power of nature to infuse every drop with the gritty spirit of the wild

    Californian coast. Follow them on Instagram @juggernautwines www.juggernautwines.com

    The Armchair Explorer podcast is produced and hosted by award-winning travel writer

    Aaron Millar. Follow the show on Instagram & Facebook @armchairexplorerpodcast.

    www.armchair-explorer.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Armchair Explorer: Travel and Adventure InspirationBy Armchair Productions

    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    188 ratings


    More shows like Armchair Explorer: Travel and Adventure Inspiration

    View all
    Travel with Rick Steves by Rick Steves

    Travel with Rick Steves

    198 Listeners

    Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast by Chris Christensen

    Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

    50 Listeners

    The Dirtbag Diaries by Duct Tape Then Beer

    The Dirtbag Diaries

    2,577 Listeners

    Zero To Travel Podcast by Jason Moore

    Zero To Travel Podcast

    828 Listeners

    Adventure Sports Podcast by Mason Gravley

    Adventure Sports Podcast

    504 Listeners

    Outside/In by NHPR

    Outside/In

    1,427 Listeners

    Outside Podcast by Outside

    Outside Podcast

    2,099 Listeners

    Nature Guys by Nature Guys

    Nature Guys

    517 Listeners

    Wild Ideas Worth Living by REI Co-op

    Wild Ideas Worth Living

    1,244 Listeners

    Backpacker Radio by The Trek

    Backpacker Radio

    1,630 Listeners

    Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast by A Travel Podcast

    Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast

    300 Listeners

    The Adventure Podcast by Coldhouse Collective

    The Adventure Podcast

    73 Listeners

    The Wild with Chris Morgan by KUOW News and Information

    The Wild with Chris Morgan

    3,274 Listeners

    Where to Go by DK Travel

    Where to Go

    29 Listeners

    The Atlas Obscura Podcast by SiriusXM and Atlas Obscura

    The Atlas Obscura Podcast

    1,585 Listeners