I have reached the halfway point on my swim down the Mohawk River.

For the next seventy-odd miles, I'll be racing against the weather, hoping to outpace the ice, to stroke into Albany before the river freezes me out.

Ice at the Erie Canal-Mohawk River confluence below Lock 16

The upper reaches of the Mohawk have taken a toll on me, physically, and financially.

I have glimpsed unspoiled wilderness, startling amounts of wildlife, and profuse natural beauty.

I have also been rag-dolled over waterfalls, folded under logjams, and slammed into boulders.

Wetsuits, gloves, supplies, water sampling gear, and camera gear have been ripped away and shredded.

Remains of supplies and supply tube after a particularly frisky section of rapids on the East Branch.

The good news? After what I have been through, my affection for the Mohawk has only grown. And so has my desire to swim it to the end, to really know this river as deeply as I can.

To finish ahead of the ice, to pay my Crew Guy, to buy more packets of energy gel and thermoses of Earl Grey tea, to replace the gear we need to keep me warm, and the equipment we need to share the river's story, I need your support.

I am hoping you could consider visiting our Support the Swim page, and donating whatever you can.

We have lots of great rewards--everything from signed swim caps and autographed swim journals, to school visits and sponsorship opportunities.

If you help me, I can promise that I will thank you, that I will be grateful, and that I will keep swimming for as long as it takes to finish.

If you think you might be able to help, please click here.

Many thanks!

That's me, swimming into Little Falls, NY in a snowstorm, in 36 degree water. I love this river, and I will keep going until I swim its entire length.