La Manteņa Raft Expedition ( 7/98- 6/99) - Follow explorer John Haslett (KC5KHA) as he sails his replica of a 60 ' Ecuadorian Balsa Log raft over the ancient sea routes from the west coast of South America northto Mexico and then west across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. John holds weekly scheduled contacts with schools & youth groups and posts updates and information on the expedition web-site. At present John is in Golfito, Costa Rica rebuilding his new raft "Endurance". Upon construction completion, John plans to set out to sea for Acapulco, Mexico and then on to Hawaii. Weekly radio contacts from the construction base site will resume shortly.

Check the expedition's URL:www.balsaraft.com for updates. E-mail questions and comments to: [email protected] & [email protected] .

UPDATES:

JULY 7, 1999. NEW - RAFT DISTROYED ON REEF - CREW SAFE - EXPEDITION HALTED

On July 1st the raft La Endurancia was toed out to sea by a freighter and was to be towed approximately 20 miles to keep them from the dangerof the coast.  Unfortunately, the tanker ran out of fuel and let the raft go only four miles from Matapalo, a very rocky shore that has been the scourge of many a ship.  After a night of heavy storms, the raft was forced onto the rocky reef and was destroyed.  With no finances and time left in the schedules of the crew, the expedition has been called off and John Haslett will be returning to Dallas by the end of the week.
Our sincerest thanks to all our friends and families of their support during the past year.  Please watch for a final update from John and we hope you look forward to the exciting re-telling of this incredible adventure in John's upcoming book.

Sincerely,

Annie Haslett


SIGN-UP FOR SCHEDULE CONTACT AT [email protected] & [email protected]

07/03/99 - RAFT DESTROYED ON REEF - EXPEDITION ENDED!!

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Sound File

RAFT
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Latest news from Storm99

last updated - Saturday, November 06, 1999 15:09

Jim Wilmerding, M.Ed.,EMT-I

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Andrew Wilmerding, BS

Michael Slade, BA