Two kayakers attempting to paddle the length of the Aleutian Chain suspended their trip late last week. The paddlers made it about 175 miles west of Unalaska, as the crow flies, to Herbert Island, one of the islands of the Four Mountains. After being pinned on Herbert for a week, the two gave up on crossing Samalga Pass. They hailed the passing vessel Pukuk and arranged an at-sea pick-up.

In an email, paddler Keirron Tastagh said the two were reflecting on what they’d achieved during the trip and making plans for another attempt in 2015.

If the two kayakers had completed their proposed journey, it would have been a first for modern times.