Whales!
By Andre, FALKEN Crew | Stereotypical Alaska. We all know that stereotypes can be, at best, unfair and even sometimes downright wrong. This trip is my first time in Alaska and it’s a safe bet that I had some preconceived notions about what Alaskan scenery would be like. And let me tell you, it’s exactly how I imagined.
Local Time: 6:45pm | Position: 53°41.729’ N, 130°07.008’ W
Introducing one of our WILD intrepid explorers, Andre, for this afternoon’s blog:
Stereotypical Alaska
We all know that stereotypes can be, at best, unfair and even sometimes downright wrong. This trip is my first time in Alaska and it’s a safe bet that I had some preconceived notions about what Alaskan scenery would be like. And let me tell you, it’s exactly how I imagined: remote, rugged, expansive, mountainous, green, cloudy, foggy, rainy, beautiful, WILD. Stereotypical Alaska, am I right?
Day 1 of our journey started promptly at noon with crew introductions and a couple hours of orientation and safety from Skipper Nikki, mate Manot, and apprentice Lovis. Then, much to everyone’s delight, we learned we were leaving that same day to motor to a nearby anchorage. We were settled into the three-hour motor when someone yelled, “WHALES!” We were 90 minutes into our first day and Alaska already delivered with two whale flukes breaching the water. Stereotypical. After that excitement, we glided into a gorgeous and secluded bay, dropped the anchor, ate dinner, and went to bed.
Day 2 started early, weighing anchor at 5:30am for a day of motor sailing to Prince Rupert, BC to check in with Canadian customs. It was nearly non-stop rain but we all kept spirits up, always on the lookout for more sea life. We made good time to Prince Rupert, but as can happen, it was another three hours until the Canadian Border agents made it to our vessel to clear us into Canada. It was late and still raining, so we made the team decision to spend the night at the dock in Prince Rupert. Another delicious meal, some card games at the salon, and another peaceful night of sleep. Oh, be sure to ask your loved ones if they were the ones who got accidentally locked out of the marina. They might have a funny story for you.
Day 3 is still unfolding, but so far we’ve practiced crew overboard drills, been treated to sunshine, enough wind to sail, and the spectacular scenery of the Inside Passage. Oh, and just as I finish writing this, WHALE!
Oh, Canada, here’s to hoping our beliefs about the rest of our adventure hold true.
- Andre | 59º North Crew
View more passage logs
Sail Training!
By Alex. FALKEN Skipper | After a windless night drifting between Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands, we finally managed to find the wind! As soon as the breeze filled in, Adam had just wrapped up his great lesson on boat-keeping and manuals,
Sail Training!
By Alex. FALKEN Skipper | After a windless night drifting between Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands, we finally managed to find the wind! As soon as the breeze filled in, Adam had just wrapped up his great lesson on boat-keeping and manuals,
Sail Training!
By Alex. FALKEN Skipper | Yesterday we left Ensenada at around 08:30 in the morning. It was sunny and you could barely feel any wind in your face. We went through the process of hoisting sails and straight away we dived into reefing drills followed by tacking. After 6 reefs and 12 tacks, we decided to settle into the watch system and embrace the night.