Tansy Rounds the Cape
Southward
Upon leaving the small beach on the west side of Kunghit Island, Tansy and the crew raised sail (~1350 square feet of sail cloth!) and headed southward to round Cape St. James at the very southern end of Haida Gwaii.
There was fog on the west side, and the water gets very deep very quickly as there is no continental shelf. Currents up-well from thousands of feet in depth creating a bounty of food and many whales and off shore species with a mile or two of shore.
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Kerouard Islands at the Cape
Finally the Cape and the Kerouard Islands even further south came into view.
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Tansy called out “what is that bird”? …
Albatross at the Cape
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…and was thrilled to discover it was a Black-footed Albatross, one of her favourite birds.
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She loves the way they sail around with just little adjustments of their wings, rarely beating them.
Captain and Mate Keep A Careful Eye
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The waters around the Cape can be treacherous with the currents clashing from both sides of Haida Gwaii. Choosing the right gap to pass through is important.
The Wrong Gap where the Ocean Surface Drops by More than a Meter..
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Passing through the Kerouards brings more excitement as there are many sea lions resident on the islands.
Winter seas wash all life off these rocks.
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Once into Queen Charlotte Strait at the southern end of Hecate Strait, the waters calmed, the fog lifted and we continued on to a nearby anchorage suitable for the wind and sea conditions.
Calm Seas and Clearing Skies East of the Cape
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If you click here you will see a map of Cape St. James. Google thinks there is an airport there, which must be the helicopter pad at the site of the old lighthouse.
Please click here to see the website of Outer Shores Expeditions and for views of Passing Cloud, which was Tansy and her favourite photographer’s home for nearly three weeks…
…Passing Cloud is over on the BC Central Coast at the moment, click here to see where she is right now!
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Thank you, Tansy, “Favorite Photographer” and Quimper human, for these wonderful, breathtaking, and at times a bit scary, glimpse of a world that I would never see. I always look forward to the adventures you share with us.
It is so great that you could come along on the trip even vicariously…we look forward to sharing them!
Wow, Tansy leads such an exciting life for a Hitty (or a human!). What wonders she gets to experience. And share with us.
Tansy is very adventurous! She has a great time with her companions…and loves to come home and regale is all with her stories!