53°41.729’ N, 130°07.008’ W
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
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
FALKENCrew
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Ketch us if you Kan
Falken is soon to carry on our preferred route of South, back to (hopefully) warmer climates. We’re all excited to set off and see more of this wild landscape as we head down to Victoria. A thermal trough over Vancouver combined with an offshore high pressure creating funneling NW’ly winds means it is due to be pretty fruity on the 9th. This passage is just under 600 miles, relatively short for Falken, but I’m sure we’ll be kept entertained with dramatic scenery, wildlife and weather!
Final Blog
Falken and her crew arrived safely into port last night around 8pm boat time, 10pm Prince Rupert time. Some spicy weather was anticipated, but luckily the 35kt gusts and 2.5 meter waves were no match for this expert crew. We had an exceptionally smooth docking, despite it being Alex's first time parking this year (!). We all agreed that this was a very special group of people—I for one am so impressed with how everyone stayed so positive, helpful, and appreciative of humor despite an arguably challenging passage. We'll all return home significantly saltier than we were when we left, a mark of a passage properly sailed.
Lessons and a Gift
The biggest lesson is the helm. The lesson here is that even if you don't think you can do it over and over again with no sleep, cold and damp, it has to be done and so it can be done. Flying fish are cool, dolphins are really really cool, but the coolest of them all are the whales. And most of all Alex: "Find your center Carla. Always know where your center is so you can come back to it". He means the helm but it applies to life as well.