Alaska 2015 - Beyond Cape Caution

May 1, 2015

The weather sounded possible at the 0400 update, and after a conference with Steel Tiger the decision was made to get underway by 0700.  Spirit departed Port McNeill at 0640, closely followed by Steel Tiger.  Working our way to the north side of Queen Charlotte Straits we go within 13 miles of Cape Caution before the increasing swell height combined with wind squalls and rain made us decide to bail out and turn the corner into Allison Harbor.  Spirit anchored first at 1145 and Steel Tiger rafter alongside shortly afterward.  The rain squalls quit and we had sunny, but breezy conditions the rest of the day.

Entering Allison Harbour

After a shared dinner of crab salad and barbequed pork loin we got our first TV fix in several days until deciding the news was not worth listening to and that we were glad we were cruising.

May 2, 2015

We pulled our anchor out of the sticky black mud of Allison Harbour at 0800 and followed Steel Tiger out into Queen Charlotte Strait towards Cape Caution.  Although there was little wind, the swells were sometimes in excess of 10 feet right out of the west.  We slowed down for a while to make the ride more comfortable and by 1030 Cape Caution was abeam, followed 45 minutes later by Egg Island.  As we altered course to the north the swells were on the beam and did not dissipate until we entered Fitz Hugh Sound abeam of Cape Calvert.  By 1500 we were anchored in Green island anchorage 100 yards from Steel Tiger.  We covered 47 nautical miles, for a total of 360 nautical miles so far.

Spirit and Steel Tiger in Green Island Anchorage

May 3, 2015

The anchor was pulled from the mud in Green Island anchorage shortly after 0800 and we followed Steel Tiger up Fitz Hugh Sound.  Passing by Namu, the buildings were crumbling even more and we understand the moorage is no longer available.  Sea conditions were flat as we headed to Codville Lagoon where we entered at 1215 and then rafted to Steel Tiger in front of the trail head to Sager Lake.  We are now 400 nautical miles from Anacortes.  Both boats set prawn and crab pots which will be checked in the evening.

Following Steel Tiger up Fitz Hugh Sound

Namu continues to crumble

Rafting in Codville Lagoon

The evening check produced only 2 crabs and 2 dozen prawns from just one pot.

May 4, 2015

The seafood gathering seems to have begun.  This morning there were 5 dozen prawns and 8 crabs in the pot.  After pulling the pots we headed to Shearwater for a grocery stop and then on to someplace further towards Ketchikan.  No cell phone for the next 4 days.