“It just becomes extremely difficult to get any sleep because if you hit the ice, you essentially die.”

NPR · Aug 7 · Matt Rutherford attempts first solo circumnavigation of Arctic Ocean

“It's also going to get dark soon. I got 24-hour daylight now. How do you see the ice in the dark?”

NPR · Aug 7 · Matt Rutherford attempts first solo circumnavigation of Arctic Ocean

“Normally I'm running a research schooner and we're studying glaciers in Greenland. And this year, because there's no funding … I'm doing a little side trip.”

NPR · Aug 7 · Matt Rutherford attempts first solo circumnavigation of Arctic Ocean

“[The ice loss is] not everywhere. I mean, there's still going to be some really heavy ice I have to deal with down the road that could make or break the trip.”

NPR · Aug 7 · Matt Rutherford attempts first solo circumnavigation of Arctic Ocean