This is the second part of the interview with Jacob van der Merwe. See part one below.

The Mississippi River is 2,000 miles long. How did you plan, research, and prepare logistics, food, and lodging for this trip?

My planning progress was (still is) somewhat organic in nature, in that one thing kind of leads to another. My first priority was to get all the basic facts about the river, and to determine whether it's actually feasible to paddle 2,000 miles of Mississippi in a reasonable timeframe. This included studying a lot of maps and charts, digging up old National Geographics and reading up on others who navigated the river by muscle power. When it began to look doable, my next priority was to get sponsors. That was a full time job for a few months. I got an enthusiastic response from close to 30 (at last count) companies who helped out with product donations and other forms of support. Their product donations basically took care of all my equipment needs and most of my consumable supplies. There is a complete list of sponsors on my web site.

Supply and other logistical arrangements for this expedition are relatively straightforward and for the most part without the challenges inherent to wilderness or ocean trips. Food and other supplies will be cached and replenished as required en route. There are stretches along the last few hundred miles of the river that cut through undeveloped terrain, where I will have to be self-sustained for a few days. This poses no problem since my kayak can hold a seven day supply of food and water in addition to all my gear. I plan to camp most of the way, with occasional 'hotel breaks'. I will stay in touch with friends, family, the media, my sponsors, publisher and agent via cell phone and a laptop with wireless connectivity.

This is a true solo effort - I won't have a support team following me on land or on the river.

How are you mentally preparing for this adventure?

Up to now, I've just been too busy with planning, getting in shape and commitments of the making-a-living kind to give much thought to this aspect of my adventure. I tend to take a rather practical approach to things, so my peace of mind comes through good planning and being physically ready. I also tackle big ventures like this with an open mind on a day-to-day basis.

How do you think this journey will change you as a person?

I'm not sure how, or if it will change me. I do know that I will learn a lot about myself during my 100 days on the river.

Name three items/gadgets essential you're taking with you and why.

In addition to a virtually indestructible kayak, like the Prijon Kodiak I'm fortunate enough to have for this trip, there are three items critical to the overall success of my venture:

1. Navigational charts of the Mississippi from the US Army Corps of Engineers. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been custodians of the Mississippi for more than 170 years, so it's no surprise that they have the most accurate and up to date navigation charts. The charts show all the navigation features I need for my trip: navigable sloughs, open channel areas, hazardous areas, historical sites, small boat harbors, wildlife sanctuaries, state and national parks, campgrounds, locks, dams, and other features. The maps have a scale of 1:31,680. This translates into one inch on the map for every half mile of river, which allows for great detail.

2. My Panasonic Toughbook notebook computer. My notebook is my communication center, my link to friends and family, it's my office and it makes it possible to write my book as my journey unfolds. It's my photo album, my database, my navigation center, etc. etc..... I'm lost without it. One could say it's a sign of the age we live in, but I must confess I love having the technology at my fingertips. Generously provided by Rick Tessner, owner of Onnadayr IT Firefighting and Prevention.

3. My Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove, donated by Backcountry.com. It burns any type of fuel known to man, and a few others, I suspect. It never fails to work and it only weighs 15 ounces. It will ensure hot meals during my trip, safe drinking water and heat in the tent when the weather turns nasty.

What's your next adventure?

I'm planning to kayak the Eerie Canal-Hudson River system next year, starting at Lake Eerie and finishing in downtown Manhattan. For 2009 I plan to tackle the 6,000 mile Volga river in Russia. It will be a very challenging and complicated venture; I've already started planning for it.

Thank you Jacob and good luck!