08/30/2009, 53 17'N:170 42'W, Aleutian Islands
We had a weather window, a high coming in and were recommended to head East as fast as possible. Some Aleuts said "that the last low that came through was the start of their winter weather and when it starts to blow it doesn't stop till spring, 30 to 50 + knots all winter". So this perhaps was our only chance to leave this windy port known "where the wind begins". We saw a pod of whales today - we think were Okras. Our current barometer reading is 1032 so we are definitely in a high. The winds are due to increase by tomorrow night to 25+ knots from the SW so our night landing into Dutch Harbor may be a bit on the windy side.
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08/26/2009, 51 51'N:176 39'W, Pacific Ocean
Well, the fact that this blog is being posted says it all. We have made it to Adak, Alaska - and just in time. Thanks to the extra-ordinary support and assistance from the harbormaster, Elaine, and local pilot, Al, we successfully tied up to the side of fishing boat at 3AM on Aug. 25. After 3 hours sleep and moving to let the fishing boat go out to sea, we fueled up, and were then towed into a small boat harbor here; towed because we ran aground trying to get into it, and small boat harbor because the locals said a big blow was coming later in the day.
Well, they were right - it is now regularly hitting 50 knots, and I was just advised that it will get to 75 knots in the next few hours. Thank our ancestors that we needed fuel and stopped here, otherwise he might still be at sea in these winds - which I do not think we could handle, to say the least.
Note: we found out later that a police boat that left the next morning after we arrived clocked winds outside of Adak at 99knts on their ship.
Regardless, safe here for now - and as soon as the wind abates and we have a few days clear forecast, we will push as fast as possible to Dutch Harbor.
Stay tuned.
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If you see Chris Diaz in the clinc say hello. What took you to Adak? Did you miss the winds of WY?
Dave
08/22/2009, 48 48.64'N:175 49.63'E, Pacific Ocean
Saturday about 10:30am local time we spotted our first Humpback Whale. Joe was at the helm when he yelled, "whale" we all scurried to the topside to check it out. "There she blows" to our North, a humpback whale as we watch her magnificent presence leisurely floating by. One of life's grand moments indeed. Weather wise we have a two lows we are dodging one from the west and the other from the southwest. We are planning on the southwest low to somewhat catch up with us in about 12 hours. Which will be about midnight local time and of course at night. So we will get Equus ready for some higher winds and seas before the sun goes down. Till next time we bid you all well, Equus and crew.
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