We knew from our trip a few years ago that we really wanted to spend some time in Tebenkof Bay. There are many anchorages in there to explore and we would be close to the pods of feeding humpback whales just outside the bay in Chatham Strait. The waters there can be rough when wind direction is opposite of tidal flow (current) and also due to the large amout of "fetch" since it is wide open to the ocean. Fetch is the distance the wind travels on an unobstructed body of water: the longer the wind blows and the greater the distance it covers in open water, the greater the wave height, or fetch. These are the some of the things we consider when going into larger bodies of water, as well as wind and weather observations and predictions. It looked like we had a good window to make this trip, and we enjoy a challenge every now and then if it doesn't pose too big of risk to our safety, of course.
Our route: around the east side of Kuiu Island, and up the west side, via Sumner and Chatham Straits. Two years ago, we had visited Coronation Island, the three-lobed island to the south, with the flotilla. We had a romp coming up Chatham Strait that time, and hoped not to have that much chop again. https://www.dogstaradventures.com/post/north-from-coronation-island
Looking back towards Hole in the Wall, sunrise, 5:11am.
Headed south in Sumner Strait, Prince of Wales Island (and other small islets) on the left, Kuiu Island on the right. We put the dinghy away on the bow when we are doing challenging trips--one less thing to worry about if things get rough.
We rode the ebb tide south with a gentle swell on the bow. The rugged mountains of Baranof Island were out.
Sea otters floating around, with Baranof Island in the background.
The fog began to roll in...
Looking back at the fog draping over the shoulders of Coronation Island.
Cape Decision Lighthouse, its first beacon lit in 1932 and the first lighthouse in Alaska to be powered by electricity.
The swell increased to 2-4 feet, and ended up more on our beam (side of the boat), but not uncomfortable. The wind came up from the north 15-18 knots, which created some chop, but that didn't last too long before we made it into the calm waters of the anchorage.
We made it! Almost an 8 hour trip, 55.4 nautical miles. Enjoyable day!
Entering Explorer Basin, our anchorage for tonight, in Tebenkof Bay. The light up here is sometimes incredible!
The sunset view of the mountains on Baranof Island. The tallest one we can see is Mount Ada, 4528 feet tall.
9:31pm.
9:39pm.
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