Barrow Straits

South of me lies the pack ice. Historically the early explorers had few problems making it this far into the passage – but south or west of here is when it went wrong. I entered Lancaster sound on the same day Parry did in 1819 and have had very similar winds. It seems that most explorers reported easterly wind in Lancaster sound and Barrow Strait. All I’ve had are easterlies. Lancaster sound had some ice, enough to keep me on edge, but Barrow strait is virtually ice free. I went nearly 50 miles without seeing any ice – that hasn’t happened since 65 north. Its the calm before the storm, not far to the south I will begin a game of cat and mouse with the pack ice. I’m a small mouse and its an awfully big cat. I have been waiting here off the north coast of Somerset island for a patch of thick ice to melt so I can begin my passage through Peel Sound. I should be able to leave by tonight or tomorrow morning. Then I will go down Peel Sound, Franklin Strait along Boothia Peninsula, James Ross Strait, around the south end of King William Island, into Queen Maud Gulf and on to the west. This is the same way Amundsen went in 1905. The next 600 miles will be the most technical part of the Northwest passage with drifting pack ice, submerged rocks and countless little islands. After Queen Maud Gulf I will be past the worst of the ice and it will just be a matter of sailing to Barrow point Alaska, then south. The Northwest passage is no place to rush around in a hurry. St Brendan is far from a ice breaker and patients is crucial. Soon I head south into the ice, but for now I rest.
FORTITUDINE VINCIMUS