Rowing to Latitude: Journeys Along the Arctic's Edge by Jill Fredston

Rowing to Latitude: Journeys Along the Arctic’s Edge by Jill Fredston is a memoir that chronicles the author's long-distance rowing adventures through some of the most remote and challenging waters of the North. Along with her husband, Doug Fesler, Fredston paddles thousands of miles in an open rowing shell, navigating the coastlines of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, and more.

Mixing adventure, nature writing, and personal reflection, Fredston describes the beauty and brutality of the Arctic, the solitude of long journeys, and the dangers posed by ice, storms, and wildlife. She also explores her deep connection with the wilderness and the lessons she learns about resilience, self-reliance, and the unpredictability of nature.

Throughout the book, Fredston examines her unconventional life choices, including her decision to pursue extreme adventures rather than a traditional career path. Her relationship with Fesler, built on shared risk and adventure, adds another layer to the narrative, highlighting the challenges and rewards of exploring the wild as a team.

This book is both an exploration of Arctic landscapes and a meditation on endurance, freedom, and the power of nature. With most, if not all, in our group not having had an adventure via rowboat, this memoir offered a fascinating new perspective of outdoor adventure. We were collectively amazed at the physical feats and wary of the dangers associated with the Arctic. Our conversations touched on the following questions:

• Did we enjoy the book as a collection of essays?

• Which parts of their journey resonated with us the most?

• Was there anything surprising about their travels?

• Would we be interested in having an adventure like this?

• Were negative responses by the Natives to their arrival justified?

• Did we perceive elitism and gatekeeping in Fredston's memoir?

Overall, this book rated very highly with our group as the adventure was grand and the writing excellent.

Group mean rating: 8/10