From Isla Imita
02 December 2016
Since we have decided to go to Puerto Williams, we have kept going while the going is good to cross the Canal Corcavado. We had a lovely few days at the Marina Quinched, and also had our zarpe changed there to extend our permission to continue our travels to Puerto Williams. I thought this would be a big deal involving going into Castro to request the new zarpe from the Port Captain, however, the manager at the marina was able to do it for us in an instant. From Quinched on Chiloe we did a 60 mile day to get to Isla San Pedro. This was a lovely full- sails out day down the Canal Corcovado, with the wind kicking up suddenly just as we were coming into the anchorage, snapping us out of our complacency as usual. Once again over happy hour the plan was made to proceed the next day as the weather window was good. Yesterday was a 55 mile day. We decided to pass by Melinka another 12 miles to an all-weather protected anchorage in a quiet caleta on Isla Amita. No wind for the sails, but that is probably a good thing as there was a 2 meter swell every 5 seconds from the southwest crossing the Canal Corcovado. The views of the mountains on the mainland on this clear-sky day, were awesome. Next season we'll get to explore that side on our way back up. We saw a lone orca, sea otters, albatrosses, and penguins as we were coming into land sight , let alone many other wonderful birds which I haven't identified. This morning Dave saw a family of dolphins enter the anchorage. Today, Dave and I practiced tying the stern of the boat off to shore, which we dont actually need to do in this peacefull protected anchorage, but we will need to be able to do it efficiently down the road in order to protect ourselves from the "rachachas". These are strong winds ( like sometimes 60 knots) which can suddenly whistle down from the high mountains. We call this type of wind "williwaws" at home.