Fossett Expects Easy Cruise Over Andes

U.S. adventurer Steve Fossett predicted that he would float over the Andes with ease in his bid to become the first person to circle the world alone in a balloon.

On the ninth day of his voyage, the millionaire was drifting east across the Pacific toward the Chilean shore 1,200 miles away.

Fossett, 57, said he would have no trouble gaining the height he needs. “I need to cross the Andes about [6,600 feet] above the ridge lines to avoid being sucked into the mountain by a rotor wind,” he said via satellite e-mail. “I have already flown to [30,000 feet] on this flight, so it will not be difficult to fly high enough.”

Some peaks in the Chilean Andes reach almost 23,000 feet.