Casey and Ryan Higginbotham just finished an incredible journey from Alaska to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Now, with the help of filmmaker Kellen Keene, they’re making a documentary about the journey, By Hand.
In March of 2016, the brothers set off from Ketchikan, Alaska on their 2,200-mile journey using two 18-foot traditional Bark Paddleboards shaped by the legendary Joe Bark, meaning they would have no paddles or motorized help, hence the name By Hand. Their 18-foot boards were loaded with 70 pounds of gear and they resupplied every 200-250 miles using food caches they’d set up before the trip.
The journey was originally just from Alaska to the U.S./Mexico border. Which the identical twins from Pismo Beach, Calif. completed in seven months. But they found themselves wanting more. So in October of 2018, without corporate sponsorship (as was the case during the entire journey), they set off again to paddle to the end of Baja California.
The Higginbotham brothers were alone most of the way–no support boats, or help in case of emergency. For much of the time, it was just them and the ocean wilderness. Right around New Years, they landed in Cabo. The film is due out this fall and it should be a wild one.
Check out the expedition’s Instagram page, here.
