To Fort Ross

We chose the window for the passage as to maximize the time under sail and minimize the time motoring. However the winds turned out less than hoped for. Without any rush we decide to sail “as long as the sail(s) are stable”. We cross the Lancaster Sound on full main and gennaker, then reconfigure the boat for dead-downwind with the Oxley as we enter the Prince Regent Inlet. The skies are deep blue, the sea is flat and the Oxley pulls us along at speeds between 2 and 7 knots. Progress is slow but with the boat as steady as can be, we enjoy life. Meals are being cooked, the boat is cleaned, maintenance is done on the engines and music is playing on the roof.

During the second night, for the first time in weeks the sun will drop under the horizon and darkness descends. This is due both to the summer progressing and to us going south, now down to about 72°N from the 75°N of Devon Island. We will miss the sun-lit nights when navigating through bergy water…

With this attitude, we arrive half a day later than originally planned at Fort Ross, where Vanuily and Coro Coro have already spend a day at anchor. For us, 3 hours here should do it. With a super extended slack tide today, the Bellot Strait should be as tame as it gets and that for about 5 hours, which is ample of time for the passage.

In Fort Ross with disembark and visit the Hudson’s Bay Company shelter hut. The place is in perfect order and well equipped with emergency food and utensils. The door is barricaded in bear-proof way using wooden planks. Inside we flip through the pages of the guest book, find the entries of friends that have passed in previous years and add our note to it.

After about 2 hours, we return to the boat curious for the Bellot Strait, a significant milestone of the Northwest Passage.Read more