Wow that is both cool and scary. There's not much true wildness left to explore on earth, at least above water, so most modern day questers are stuck doing (un-)reality TV chases. This Hudson guy is a oner!

I look forward to reports as to whether the crew sang the appropriate Stan Rogers' song during the trip, and whether they reworked the verse about prairie driving to something more here-and-now.

Two things concern me following this historic achievement. One is that with enough melting to make the seas passable, I expect that a greater than normal proportion of polar bear cubs are dying unless, probably most whose parents didn't figure out how to adapt to land; this putting the species is at risk. And when any link in the ecosystem, particularly a singular top predator, is at risk, the ecosystem is at risk. Of course this is nothing to do with Mr. Hudson, it's only the fact that he could make the trip that alerts me to problems.

The other is that Hudson's ability to make the trip indicates the start of a new era in geo-political unrest as powers (business and political) jockey for control of natural resources in the area. Now that one cannot make the passage witha dogsled or skidoo, and now that doesn't need a submarine at least in summer, being there becomes more affordable. If climate changes continue (as Becky said, whatever the cause) I may live to see the first time since that international war will be fought within presumed Canadian borders, within my home country. (Before historians assert corrections upon that "first time" remark: I'm aware of but excluding from "international war" such events as land theft from aborigianl nations--which were mostly earlier than confederation and more like one-sided obliterations than two-sided wars--and the 1885 Northwest Rebellion a.k.a. Riel Rebellion and the gold-vs-fish wars in late 19th c. BC Fraser River. Also excluded are the war of 1812 and the two 1837 rebellions all of which occurred before confederation in 1867. All other corrections welcome!!)

I don't relish raining on Hudson's parade, or Amos' vicarious enjoyment, but now it's the morning after which usually means consequences.