"If you are in the Passage on September 1st you need to start preparations to winter over".
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M/V CRYSTAL SERENITY follows two icebreakers through significant sea ice on the far horizon.
It is 2017 with the old adage above not ringing true after experiencing a warm 2016... but look at the sea ice blockages on September 1st 2017.... many sea ice concentrations of many colors on the 2017 map below... compare it with the same date on the 2016 map below.
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Best advice in 2017... if you are not planning to be out of the Arctic (South of the Arctic Circle) by October 1st - you will be wintering over... just like Hurricane Harvey's approach, many people had 5 days to prepare and get out of the danger zone... will your boat be in the Arctic on October 1st?
Why?
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The rest of the S/V CELEBRATION story... attempting a 2017 Northwest Passage...
See: http://worldsailing.guru/NorthwestPassage/
The Long Wait is Over
29 August 2017 | Enroute: Gjoa Haven to Cambridge Bay
Charlie
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Two night ago, we received the ice chart showing "green" ice for the 33 remaining miles south from Pasley Bay to the edge of the fully melted zone. Green means 30% ice coverage or less.
We raised anchor and left Pasley Bay immediately on getting the ice chart but we all had some trepidation as the previous 2 days charts had shown a small green passage and we went out and found that no passage existed---we';d turned back to Pasley Bay twice. Third Time's a charm I guess.
We dodged ice floes for four hours. The current was with us and we made more than 9kts the entire way. Then we entered "blue" water which has 10% or less ice. Not enough that you have to find pathways through but enough that a vigilant lookout is requred as there are many little bits large enough to do serious damage.
After several more hours our blues were over and we entered the white water which the Canadian Ice Service says is Ice Free.
In another 1800+ miles we'll be in Nome, AK. The route is currently ice-free for the remainder of the trip.
The photo is from the masthead camera looking at "green" water with 30% ice. It looks like there is no path but one can feel their way through and find a way.
What an Adventure
It is 2017 with the old adage above not ringing true after experiencing a warm 2016... but look at the sea ice blockages on September 1st 2017.... many sea ice concentrations of many colors on the 2017 map below... compare it with the same date on the 2016 map below.
Why?
Thinking of a Route 7 East quick exit? Are you prepared to push 2/10 sea ice? Not recommended for tiny horsepower sailboats.
Thinking of exiting stage West? Expect the weather to be an obstacle rather than sea ice. Are you and your boat prepared for gale force and/or storm force winds with steep and high seas? I cannot stress the weather concern enough. The storms from the orient will be slaming into the North Pacific Ocean with outrage and fury... many people have never experienced such intensity. Until you reach the Pacific Ocean South side of Alaska, safe harbors of refuge are few and far apart in the Arctic - skill to run in a fair weather window is paramount.
U.S. National Weather Service
Marine Weather forecasts via Internet email requests:
Northwest Passage and Alaska questions?
I can help!
Email: voyageadviser(AT)gmail(DOT)com
See: http://worldsailing.guru/NorthwestPassage/
The Long Wait is Over
29 August 2017 | Enroute: Gjoa Haven to Cambridge Bay
Charlie
Two night ago, we received the ice chart showing "green" ice for the 33 remaining miles south from Pasley Bay to the edge of the fully melted zone. Green means 30% ice coverage or less.
We raised anchor and left Pasley Bay immediately on getting the ice chart but we all had some trepidation as the previous 2 days charts had shown a small green passage and we went out and found that no passage existed---we';d turned back to Pasley Bay twice. Third Time's a charm I guess.
We dodged ice floes for four hours. The current was with us and we made more than 9kts the entire way. Then we entered "blue" water which has 10% or less ice. Not enough that you have to find pathways through but enough that a vigilant lookout is requred as there are many little bits large enough to do serious damage.
After several more hours our blues were over and we entered the white water which the Canadian Ice Service says is Ice Free.
In another 1800+ miles we'll be in Nome, AK. The route is currently ice-free for the remainder of the trip.
The photo is from the masthead camera looking at "green" water with 30% ice. It looks like there is no path but one can feel their way through and find a way.
What an Adventure