WILD Alaska!
54º 59’ 53 N, 131º 01’ 90 W
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 | 54º 59’ 53 N / 131º 01’ 90 W, local time 0600am
Hello from WILD Alaska! Our crew of 11 met at noon yesterday. With only 8 days to explore the rugged shores of our passage between Ketchikan and Victoria, we set off from the dock almost immediately after a quick safety briefing and orientation. It worked out well, because it only started raining once we had slipped! As one of the crew so aptly remarked, if you have to slip lines from the dock in the rain you might find yourself saying, “this is crazy, maybe we shouldn’t go.” Whereas, if it starts raining once you are underway, you just ask yourself, “are we crazy, but we might as well keep going…”
Unstopped by the rain, we then spent three hours gently motoring in no breeze while practicing winch work and learning how to make logs and use the nav equipment. It all worked out perfectly, honestly, and made for a nice change to do this without the squeaking fenders and the dock rubbing up our anxiety. It’s funny how that happens, isn’t it? That bit before leaving is always stressful—even if there isn’t much stress incoming. But once you set sail, even in no wind, the ‘to-do’ list dramatically falls off without a grocery store nearby or that last minute thing to get. All of a sudden, with less choice and less freedom, we in fact feel more relaxed and more… free! Ahhh, big breath.
The dream continued. We entered our idyllic anchorage about 8pm to humpbacks gently puffing into the dusk. We ate a delicious dinner. Everyone was asleep by 11pm. By 0530am this morning the hook was back up, and we are now headed to Prince Rupert to sign into Canada and start our adventure. Stay tuned! We are keeping our eyes out for a bear. Now that isn’t a phrase often used in a 59 North Offshore Sailing blog!
- Nikki | FALKEN Skipper
NikkiHenderson
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The Penultimate Blog from Adrienne II
After 20 days, and 3000+ nautical miles, we're back on land. The motley crew of Adrienne II, consisting of 7 happy amateurs supported by 3 professionals, have completed an epic journey many dream of but few realize. So much of this trip has been about being present - with nature, with each other, with this boat. My biggest takeaway from this trip is the amazing crossing of the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone). We all hope you've enjoyed the blog as much as we've enjoyed creating it.
Mother Nature, you’ve outdone yourself!
It’s been a great experience to have a non-traditional trans-Atlantic, as it’s been packed with genuinely cool features. The Doldrums!! A place sailors have been talking about for centuries. The unpredictability is what made it such an exhilarating experience. While some might be frightened or alarmed by this kind of weather, I was embodied with a sense of calm and awe. There’s something wildly beautiful about being reminded how small you are, while feeling so incredibly alive.
A Heavenly High
As you have probably figured out at this point, the drug of choice on board is, of course, celestial navigation- an art which has hooked offshore sailors for centuries. Once addicted, navigators will emerge from down below only to get their fixes two times per day, and spend the rest of their days and nights down below doing complex spherical mathematics. On Adrienne II, our skipper is our dealer. I must confess that I myself gave in to the strange urge which I’ve felt witnessing my crewmates practice this fine art, and yesterday felt an amazing sensation as I was able to wield the sextant for the first time and with it, bring down the tip of our starboard spreader to the top of our front sprayhood, presicely measuring the angle between the two (35deg, 38,8’ min). This afternoon, Naxo then showed me how to get my fix from the very sun itself - and I now fear there is no turning back.