Summary Book 1:

In the first book of her monumental North American circumnavigation, Freya Hoffmeister describes the thrilling start of her ten- to twelve-year expedition from March 2017 to August 2018.

The journey begins in Golden Gardens Park in Seattle and initially leads her northward through the rough, remote coastal waters of Canada and Alaska. It soon becomes apparent that not only the wild nature, but also the intense dynamics with changing paddling partners will shape the journey.

After a successful paddle on the west coast of Vancouver Island with filmmaker Justine Curgenven and a difficult collaboration with Mike Dziobak, Freya faces her first ultimate test. Solo and non-stop, she conquers the dangerous and harborless "Lost Coast" of Alaska in a 36-hour feat of strength.

With more harmonious partners like Josh Thomas and Eyal Saiet, she navigates calving glaciers and bear-populated shorelines until the first northern season ends in Kodiak City.
Back in Seattle, Freya starts the southern leg along the US West Coast. Dense fog, strict regulations on private beaches, and a tense confrontation with the Coast Guard at the treacherous mouth of the Columbia River demand everything from her.

After a winter break and a painful private separation, the year 2018 began turbulently. In a heroic rescue mission, she saves the kayak of her partner, José Reyes, who had to swim to shore, from smashing against the cliffs. The partnership with whitewater expert Josh Aranow quickly fails due to lifestyle differences.

However, Freya finds a new rhythm and a strong bond with companions like Franca Cioria, Merrill Magowan, and Scott Dahlquist. Together, they survive life-threatening monster waves, navigate steep rock gardens, and enjoy the sunny coast of California up to the iconic ride under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

In the summer of 2018, Freya returns to Alaska for the second part of the northern season. Accompanied first by Catriona Woods and then by Michal Madera, she discovers a new passion there: collecting historic Japanese glass net floats, of which she eventually hoards over a hundred pieces.

But the Arctic strikes mercilessly. At Cape Seniavin, a massive breaker wave literally smashes Freya's fully loaded carbon kayak in half. She and her companion, Natalie Maderova, land uninjured but completely isolated on a bear-infested beach until a local fisherman rescues them.

​​​​​​Unyielding and with an iron will, Freya returns to the site of the shipwreck a little later with her spare boat. Fighting grueling headwinds and with more giant glass floats in tow, she finally ends this epic first stage triumphantly in Naknek.