Amazon Swim (Martin Strel)
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DURING FEB 1 - APR 08, 2007 MARTIN STREL SWAM 5,268 KMS (3274 MILES) OF THE AMAZON RIVER! HE DEDICATED THE SWIM TO THE PROTECTION OF THE RAINFOREST.
Mon, January 29 2007

170 PEOPLE DEAD

The mayor and other local government officials met with Martin this morning to warn him of a potential problem. Strong whirlpools have overturned many large boats at the confluence of the Ucayali and Pachitea Rivers.

Villagers are still abuzz about one boat that capsized, resulting in the loss of 170 lives. Many of these people lived in Atalaya. Martin will have to swim through this treacherous spot in one week. We are planning to send a boat ahead to scout the area to provide Martin with the least dangerous route. The Amazon basin is just beginning her rainy season; the river is already at flood stage, and still rising.

After leaping off a few small cliffs near a waterfall in the jungle, Martin did some training in the Amazon today. Despite numerous warnings, he decided it was too hot for his wetsuit. The crew followed in a peke peke, a motorized dugout canoe that is three feet wide and 30 feet long. Floating debris and unpredictable currents proved they will be a constant threat throughout the expedition. The team is having problems with sunburn and heat exhaustion as we acclimate to the direct sun near the equator.

>>Matthew Mohlke