Seattle man crosses Pacific Ocean solo

SEATTLE, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- For one Seattle man the perfect gift isn't an iPod or Nintendo Wii, but breaking through the countercurrent slowing his solo journey across the Pacific Ocean.

Erdun Eruc began his rowing adventure this past summer and plans to arrive in Australia in 2008, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Tuesday.

Eruc admitted he also wouldn't mind sleeping on a bed that doesn't rock or have the potential to capsize.

"And I want to hug my wife," he said, speaking on a mobile satellite phone from his 23.4-foot boat.

Crossing the Pacific is just one part of Eruc's planned circumnavigation by human power and part of his Six Summits Project, in which he plans to climb the six highest peaks in the world.

When he arrives in Australia Eruc with climb Mount Kosciusko, the highest peak there, and expects to reach the highest summits on six continents strictly by human power.