ON A MISSION: North Country native aims to become first American and youngest woman to row solo from West Coast to Hawaii

A North Country area native is on a mission to become the first American and youngest woman in the record books to venture solo from the west coast to Hawaii.

Kelsey Pfendler, who is a 2012 graduate from Adirondack High School in Boonville, NY, is known for taking life by the horns, and her latest adventure is certainly no exception to that. 

According to her father, Dan, Kelsey was recruited a few years ago to venture this same row as a team, but the experience inspired Kelsey to do it again, but this time with just her and the sea. 

There were concerns about getting off the west coast, but Kelsey's father told us that did not scare her one bit. 

Kelsey's experience has grown substantially ever since becoming a rafting guide out west since she turned 18, including the Grand Canyon. 

Kelsey ventured off back towards the middle-end of May and is seeking to break a record previously set by Lia Ditton, who did it just shy of 86-and-a-half-days. 

Dan tells us that Kelsey is on a rigorous sleep and row schedule and is able to send updates via satellite.  

***Track Kelsey's progress here***

Be sure to listen to our latest on-air segment with Dan Pfendler for more details:

Kelsey Pfendler images.