Latest news with #PeterFrank
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Michigan man canoes 6,000-mile 'Great Loop,' overcoming challenges and inspiring thousands
The Brief Peter Frank, a 23-year-old from Michigan, is canoeing The Great Loop, a 6,000-mile journey, and has completed 2,500 miles so far. He faces significant challenges, including harsh weather and personal obstacles, but remains motivated by historic explorers and his own recovery from a spinal injury. Frank documents his journey on social media, inspiring thousands with his perseverance and resilience. ORLANDO, Fla. - A 23-year-old from Michigan is canoeing what is known as "The Great Loop," a 6,000-mile journey, and has completed 2,500 miles so far. What we know Peter Frank, a 23-year-old from Michigan, is currently on a journey to complete The Great Loop, a 6,000-mile trek by canoe that spans from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and back. As of now, he has paddled 2,500 miles over 301 days. Frank's journey is a significant challenge, including facing weather delays and harsh conditions like 30 mph winds from a hurricane. He documents his journey on social media, where he has built a following of thousands. What we don't know While Frank has made significant progress on his journey, it's unclear how much longer he will take to complete the remaining 3,500 miles of The Great Loop. Additionally, his exact plans for the future — whether he intends to make any detours or encounters unforeseen challenges — remain uncertain. It's also unclear whether his journey will face any more major weather delays or if there are any logistical obstacles on the horizon. The backstory The Great Loop is a historic, 6,000-mile waterway that traces a route from Canada through the U.S., including the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico. Canoeing this journey is an extreme challenge, and Frank's decision to attempt it clockwise rather than counterclockwise (which is considered the easier route) is part of his quest to test the limits of his endurance and abilities. His mission is not just about personal achievement but also a tribute to the explorers of the past who navigated similar waterways by canoe. Big picture view Frank's journey is more than just a personal challenge; it's a story of perseverance and overcoming adversity. Having suffered a traumatic spinal injury nearly a decade ago, Frank's mission serves as a testament to human strength and the power of resilience. His journey also highlights the ongoing allure of exploration, echoing the spirit of the explorers who helped shape modern geography. Additionally, Frank's use of social media allows him to share his experiences with a wide audience, potentially inspiring others to take on bold personal challenges. What they're saying Frank has paddled 2,500 miles of the 6,000-mile Great Loop and recently passed by the Dunlawton Bridge in Port Orange, Florida. This mission is a big challenge for the experienced canoer. "I'm circumnavigating clockwise because it's harder, significantly harder, and I wanted to see if it was possible," said Frank. FOX 35 met with Frank as he passed by the Dunlawton Bridge. It's been no easy trek with weather delays, and he even experienced the backdrafts of a hurricane last year. "I ended up having to canoe a 15-mile archipelago of islands to shield myself from 30 mph winds for 125 hours straight," explained Frank. "Just blew nonstop for five days." Frank is inspired by the historic explorers who traveled by canoe hundreds of years ago. "I think it's important to follow in the footsteps of these great men and women who had traveled for so many months and years, who created the world we have today; without them, we wouldn't be standing here," he said. The young man has been through hardships in his life. Nearly a decade ago, he was in a bad car crash where he shattered his spine and had to learn how to walk again. Now, each day he paddles, he does it with gratitude. "I think that the most important thing I can do on this journey is keep true to myself and lead by example," he said. "By coming out here and performing these mundane obstacles and overcoming so much of the young age, I think it proves the testament that we're stronger than we lead ourselves to believe that, as human beings that we can stand up and achieve much more than we think." Follow His Journey The 23-year-old has been documenting his mission on social media with thousands of followers. You can follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and his website. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by Peter Frank.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
Man paddles 6,000-mile long ‘Great Loop' by canoe, passes through Grand Strand
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — One man is paddling the 6,000-mile 'Great Loop' trip entirely by canoe and is making his way south through the Grand Strand. Meet 23-year-old Peter Frank. He's spent the last seven months on the water coming from Michigan and still has about 10 months to go. 'I really don't have any moments where I think, like, I can't do it,' Frank said. 'Like this is, yeah, this is it.' Frank's words, passion for exploring and paddle are just a few of the things he holds close. He's on a mission to complete what's known as the 'Great Loop.' It's a marathon trip by water that most take by boat going counterclockwise, with the current. But he decided he wanted to try it the hard way and go the opposite direction. He says only two people have ever successfully done it before. 'And when you do it in that direction, everything is against you' he said 'There's nothing about it that is easier. So, I just really wanted to see if it's still possible.' When Frank was 14 years old, he was hit by a car severely injuring his back. Since he graduated high school, he's unicycled across the country, gone backpacking and is now trying his most challenging test yet. 'I'm learning a lot,' he said. 'This is my college, this is my education and my teacher. I learn everything that I need to by paddling this canoe, ironically. I think nature is one of the best teachers in the world.' Frank says he spent two years preparing for his trip. He says had to get creative to become completely self-sufficient on a 65-pound canoe. 285 pounds worth of equipment to be exact. Everything from food, water, tents, sleeping bags and the pirate-style clothes he makes on his own. 'I don't think I'm a good role model for minimalism,' he said. 'I carry quite a bit with me.' Frank says the best part is the many people he meets almost every day. And because he's so self-sufficient he doesn't have or want to rely on others. 'I didn't set that up because I don't like seeing other people,' he said. 'I set that up because I want my only reason to see other people to be for genuine interaction, to like actually learn from people. Not because I need anybody.' But Frank says many who are retired military offer their home and a place to sleep. Through that, he's encountered hundreds, maybe thousands and shared stories and different life experiences. He says there's one thing he hears the most often. 'I wish I would have done that when I was your age.' he said. At 23-years-old, Frank has lived a lifetime of much more than his age. So next time you're on the waterway, listen closely because you may find this young explorer passing by. 'When you live in a canoe, such things do not matter, like time and the day of the week, but rather the stroke of the paddle,' he said. 'These are the things that are very important.' Frank says even through all of his hardships, he wants you to know anything is possible. If you'd like to track Frank on his adventures, click . * * * Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work, here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
