Cloud Nine arrived in the harbor and actually got tied up to the end of the pier in good shape at 0800 this morning. Had some tough conditions the last 24 hours with rough seas and headwinds. No ice though. Great, calm harbor even in the heavy air and we will enjoy our time here for a couple day before departure on the long passage.
Cambridge Bay is another milestone. Here we have passed the last great danger of pack ice in the Northwest Passage which could block us and now we "only" have about 3000 miles of high latitude sailing in the Beaufort Sea, Chuckchi Sea, Bering Strait, and Bering Sea to get to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where we will surely enjoy a few cold ones with the "Deadliest Catch" crab boats. Looks like we are going to make it this time. Third time will be a charm for Cloud Nine.
The northern peoples and their cultures in the communities here are fascinating. They are heading out now on long fishing and hunting expeditions to gather food and materials from the bush for their winter survival. Although using all the same technologies as the rest of us, there is also a big push to maintain traditional ways and maintain control over their lands. There is huge energy and mineral potential being unlocked with the warming of the north and their is a race on for control of these resources. The native people believe they have rights to this land. Who could argue. But many other countries are arguing that Canada does not even control the resources of the Arctic, and it will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the future.
Thank you to those again who have helped me along in this process. Next update may be from Alaska, and a rare and successful completion of the Northwest Passage by an American sailboat.
7 comments:
Wow David, everything to me at this point is epic. Your expedition, global warming and politics. What has triggered me, is what is happening now - as stated in your blog - so what do the Natives, Canada, USA, Russia do with the exposure of the arctic and it's resources? What will be made of this and who will have the rights to it? In deed, very interesting for let's say a video documentary or book? Cheers! Deidre
A Great Adventure, Cloud Nine Crew!
A Soggy Iowa awaits the re-telling of your saga along with your much anticipated images and perspectives.
Continue to be safe and fast!
Wow, I can't believe it. Third time is a charm for Cloud Nine. Keep it up. Maybe you'll be home for your opening in Algona after all. The show opening date is pushed back to Thursday October 4th due to conflicts at the gallery.
Dave-
Sounds great!
10 days to kickoff, Sounds like there is controversy at Nebraska
Ganz says being No. 2 QB stings, but puts priority on team
By BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON / Lincoln Journal Star
Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007 - 12:08:23 am CDT
Tuesday’s practice ended and a pack of little kids ran to Sam Keller. They carried pens and footballs and grins and it was a good day to be the starting quarterback at the University of Nebraska.
Standing a 15-yard button hook away was Joe Ganz, the guy who could’ve been, but wasn’t.
There were no kids around Nebraska’s backup quarterback, just reporters with cameras and notebooks and questions, and questions, and questions …
Ganz kept answering. Pure class. His voice never wavered until he talked about a phone call placed to his parents Monday night.
He did not cry, but now his words had emotion with them.
“I didn’t really feel like talking to anybody,” Ganz said. “I kind of like to deal with stuff like that on my own. It was hard. It’s hard when you pour your heart and soul and give every breath to being the starting quarterback and don’t get it.”
It was around lunch Monday when Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan called Ganz into his office.
Keller’s the guy.
David,
Elwin Taylor says you are good to go across the seas north of Alaska. he said the unknown will be your passage through the straits between Alaska and Siberia. he also said wouldn't Columbus love to be alive today and on your yacht!!!
Be safe and sail fast. see you soon, Pows
I'm trying to locate the documentary of sailing the Northwest Passage that a sailboat crew made sometime in the past ten years or so. I've never seen it broadcast. Does anyone know of this documentary film? TIA
Does anyone have information on a sailing documentary of a sailboat transiting the Northwest passage about ten years ago?
Post a Comment