We all felt a great wave of emotions washing over us, as we had finally achieved the difficult and strenuous task of completing the North-West Passage. It was a once in a lifetime experience
B e a u f o r t S e a , C h u k c h i s e a a nd B e r in g S t r a i t Cambridge Bay was the only visited settlement during the North-West Passage and marked the halfway point on the route. From there we were supposed to see water only, as even Point Barrow in the Chukchi Sea entrance was free of ice. According to Amundsen, the Bering Strait, which was still 1,400 miles ahead, marks the end of the North-West Passage. We experienced almost all possible conditions on this part of our route. We sailed into the wind, sometimes very strong. We ran with the wind, even managed to hoist our spinnaker in the Beaufort Sea. We struggled with strong contrary currents approaching Point Barrow. Twice we had to hide from storms, once in the Chukchi Sea, and the second time in the Bering Sea, to avoid the 11B wind in our nose. After two consecutive low systems with head winds in the Chukchi Sea we entered the Bering Strait, running in a storm with winds over 45 knots. I will never forget the freak, square waves generated in these shallow, murky waters.
We could afford only a short but meaningful celebration due to the continuation of the storm. I was fully aware this was not the end of our
We passed Fairway Rock, located in the Bering Strait, on 3oth August,
expedition. There were still 2,400 nautical miles ahead of us, including
25 days after we entered the Canadian Arctic. We all felt a great wave of
the Bering Sea (dangerous and extremely stormy at this time of the year)
emotions washing over us, as we had finally achieved the difficult and
and the whimsical North Pacific, on our way to Vancouver.
strenuous task of completing the North-West Passage. It was a once in a lifetime experience for all of us. Because of this enthralling voyage, we were able to learn and better understand the unique and powerful behaviours of the unknown and dangerous Arctic ice. We also had the privilege of beholding the astounding and mysterious beauty of the Arctic and its wildlife.
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OYSTER news
summer 2013
To view more images of Katharsis II on her travels, visit www.katharsis2.com