CATRYN from Phil

CATRYN
David Rice
Mon 25 Aug 2014 23:59
From Phil
Dai has made the tough decision to pull out of this years attempt on the
North West passage, one that was not made lightly and with a heavy heart
supported by all of us. In the game of chess with the ice we played everything
right, we were, indeed are, at the right position for when the passage through
opens, however the passage is not playing by the rules established during recent
years, a large crucial part of it is still blocked with ice.
Statistics say it will open sometime during the next few weeks however from
then on its not a game of chess but a game of chance and the deck is getting
more and more stacked against us as the days advance.
The crunch point is a place called Barrow Point on the north Alaskan coast
it is here that sometime in the autumn that the ice pushed out of the Artic ice
pack by seasonal storms first touches the mainland once it does, again
statistically, that is it the coast is closed down for the winter. Again
statistically this can be any time from mid September to the end of October the
gamble is therefore once the the passages at this end become navigable will we
make Barrow Point before that happens. For Dai and ‘Catryn’ wintering over in
the passage is not an option the damage and deterioration to the boat being the
main consideration even if lifted out plus many other expenses. So unlike the
few remaining boats that are waiting for a transit the hand against has an extra
loading.
At the present time we are in Port Leopold (Just a bay sheltered from all
directions but the south) at the north end of Prince Regent Inlet. It is about a
days sail from here to the entrance Bellot Strait the strategic narrow passage
to Franklin Strait and then Larsen Sound and on through the passage pushing on
down there we are at risk of the ice closing behind us and there seems to be
quite a bit of it around. Franklin and Larsen are still heavily iced up. This is
not now going to melt unless there is a miraculous heat wave (non forecast) and
we are experiencing temperatures of around freezing. The only thing that would
help us is an easterly blow that will clear it away to the west (again non
forecast). So Barrow Point is probably 2 weeks away with a run clear of
ice and adverse weather at top speed for ‘Catryn’ and thus the question arises
how much of a gamble do you want to make or to quote Clint Eastwood “Are you
feeling lucky punk” (apologies if misquoted). And thus it is decided the gamble
is not worth it the cards are stacked against us.
So as i write the engine has started and we are about to up anchor and head
east and south destination not yet finalised but first stop Pond Inlet and the
down Baffin Island and either across to Nuuk in Greenland or down to
Newfoundland keep an eye on us.
Phil |