“If I go far enough and long enough in one direction, that makes my destination the very place I am traveling away from. There's something hopelessly poetic about that.” - Ellen
The Voyager.
Ellen is a 27-year-old pilot, flight instructor, and adventure traveler, with a background in writing, acting, and modeling. She grew up on a farm in rural Texas. In her short adult life, she’s been on five expeditions by bicycle, paddle, and oars, both domestic and international. Those journeys add up to a total of 18 months and roughly 10,000 miles - nearly all of which were human-powered and half of which were solo.
Her motivation and mentor for these trips have always been her brother Patrick, who died suddenly in 2016. She dedicates all of her expeditions to him, and even when she’s traveling by herself, she never feels as if she’s traveling alone.
What is it all for?
This is not a business venture. This expedition is registered as a nonprofit organization, and any money left over will be donated to various causes that will reveal themselves as I row. I have years of rowing to think about what organization I will give the leftover money to. Right now, I'm focused on getting enough donations just for my nonprofit to succeed, and when I have excess donations they will be given back to causes in need.
I am giving a lot back as I go: I will be raising awareness of the state of our world's oceans by providing a personal insight into the effects of climate change on storm patterns, seasonal winds, currents, and places that are threatened by rising water levels.
I'll also be endorsing the idea of women in solo travel. Many times when I travel people express concern for me being alone and a woman. I want to keep showing that women shouldn't be robbed of the life-changing experiences of solo travel just because we're women. We can travel alone, we can be pilots, we can be ocean rowers, we can be strong and we can go far.
Learn about the EME Nonprofit
The main activity of this nonprofit is a human-powered expedition around the world in a rowboat, a feat that has never been done. Throughout this expedition, the voyager Ellen will be raising awareness of the state of our world's oceans by providing a personal insight into the effects of climate change on seasonal winds, currents, storm seasons, and communities that are threatened by rising water levels. Longtime sailor Jimmy Cornwell in his book World Cruising Routes observes firsthand "the disastrous effects of climate change in places like Tuvalu...the death of coral reefs in the tropics, and the absence of steady trade winds even on previously reliable routes (pg. 7)." Climate change deniers cannot deny the fact that pilot charts for marine navigation all come with a disclaimer that warn of the unreliability of weather conditions due to global warming. It's not hearsay; it's just numbers. Rowing around the world in a rowboat will bring people an insight into the meteorology of climate change and the suffering of Earth's oceans - which cover approximately 70% of our planet and hold 96.5% of all the water on Earth (usgs.gov).
Additionally, the voyager Ellen will be showcasing women as independent persons, capable both physically and mentally of challenges historically reserved mainly for men. In ocean rowing alone, only 18 women have completed a solo ocean crossing, compared to just over 200 solo men (Statistics curtsey of The Ocean Rowing Society). Outside of ocean rowing, the voyager Ellen is also a pilot and flight instructor, which further defies standard perception of women. In the U.S., women only account for 7.9% of all licensed pilots and 7% of certified flight instructors (FAA's Aeronautical Center (December 31st, 2019 data)
These disproportionate ratios are not due to women's capabilities, but rather the general perception of women as dependent rather than independent. This effects the way young girls are raised, and how they navigate the world as women. If shown that women can be just as capable as men - in anything from flying airplanes to ocean rowing - this expedition can change society's historically patriarchal perspective, and give women the freedom of independence that men have enjoyed for millennia.
Lastly, the magnitude of this expedition and the physical and mental challenge it presents will provide an inspirational example of a human living a dream - and encourage others to live the lives they've always wanted. Taking on a journey of this size showcases what humans can do, what is possible, and challenges human endurance and survival. The voyager Ellen will be providing updates from the ocean that will get people think about their own lives, their own dreams, and show them that now is the time to live their path. We are all here for a purpose, and the more people live their true purpose, the more the world will change for the better.
This expedition - and the ensuing nonprofit - will span roughly 6 years and cover approximately 35,000 miles, making this a global cause. At every port, the voyager Ellen has the opportunity to speak to locals, schools, companies, organizations, and any persons who will benefit from the insight of a woman alone at sea. The ground crew and nonprofit directors are based out of Texas, but the reach of this cause goes far beyond the confines of man-made borders.
Funds for this cause will be collected via corporate sponsors whose companies don't present a conflict with the cause. Examples would include corporations who specialize in outdoor gear or marine equipment, while companies who destroy the environment would not be accepted. Additionally, the cause is open to private donors who believe in the cause - whether it is for ocean conservation, inspiring women, or simply living your true path.
This is a full-time endeavor. The voyager Ellen will spend all of her time living in the rowboat, travelling in a westerly circumnavigation of the globe spreading the messages of awareness and inspiration everywhere she goes.
The Route
A route is considered a circumnavigation of the globe as long as it starts and ends at the same location, and crosses all lines of longitude as well as the equator. My route, roughly outlined here, meets those criteria. The proposed route starts and ends in my home state of Texas. It is about 40,000 miles and all of it will be human-powered in a rowboat.
The full, updated route will be publicly viewable later this year.
Evelyn Mae. She is as important as me when it comes to making this expedition a success.
She's a 22-foot carbon fiber ocean rowboat with two cabins. Equipped with an electrical system that draws power from solar panels to run my water maker, GPS, collision avoidance, and radios, she's self-righting and made for open ocean travel. She's built by a reliable company whose boats have proved themselves in ocean crossings all around the globe. I don't want to cut corners when it comes to the integrity of my lifeline, my boat.
Meet the Team
If you have a talent or resource to contribute to the expedition and would like to join the team, please send us an email at ellenmagellenexpeditions@gmail.com. Thank you!
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Digital Manager
Calliway is a nomadic Graphic Designer and Marketing Expert who spends most of her free time traveling and adventuring outside. She owns Calliway Creative LLC and is responsible for managing the EME website, email, and social media.
You can learn more about her at calliwaycreative.com
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Expedition Manager
Hernán Ballard is a filmmaker and ex-racing driver, with a background in operations management, advertising and sales. His films have been exhibited at festivals and theaters across the United States.
You can learn more about him at hernanballard.com.