April 27, 2010
14:00
We've finally cast off from our La Cruz anchorage. Our plan is to now head back up north to Chacala and make that beautiful bay our jumping off point. We wanted to revisit one of our most coveted anchorages yet as well as share it with our new arrival: Lydia. Also, inland from Chacala lies Las Varas, a wonderful source of fresh fruit and vegetable stands. We'll load up our newly rigged hammocks with as many delicious goods as possible, make a few more repairs to Leeway, and then look west towards the swelling sea.
There should be only one item that may spell trouble on our way to Niku Hiva: the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). This is a constantly variable band of dead air that runs along the equator and is the result of two gigantic weather systems colliding: that of the north hemisphere and that of the south. In the old days of sailing this area was known as the Doldrums. Crew of four-masted, square-rigged trade wind sailors would sometimes wait for weeks at a time to get across the ITCZ. The ITCZ also features very light, hot air, perfect for the formation of thunderous storm cells. So, obviously, we want to spend the least amount of time in it as possible. We'll accomplish this by setting a waypoint on the outskirts of it (about 6 deg N and 125 deg W) and darting south through it when there appears to be a thinning area.
April 30. 2010
12:51
We are finally off! Across the Pacific, eyes on the horizon, hand on the tiller. We've prepped for this for a toiling 9 months and it's finally manifested! We've packed as many rations as we can fit in her and have completely an overhaul on almost every system in her. The crew is ready and wholly psyched for this passage ahead. We cast off lines this afternoon. I'll see you guys in the Marquesas!
14:00
We've finally cast off from our La Cruz anchorage. Our plan is to now head back up north to Chacala and make that beautiful bay our jumping off point. We wanted to revisit one of our most coveted anchorages yet as well as share it with our new arrival: Lydia. Also, inland from Chacala lies Las Varas, a wonderful source of fresh fruit and vegetable stands. We'll load up our newly rigged hammocks with as many delicious goods as possible, make a few more repairs to Leeway, and then look west towards the swelling sea.
There should be only one item that may spell trouble on our way to Niku Hiva: the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). This is a constantly variable band of dead air that runs along the equator and is the result of two gigantic weather systems colliding: that of the north hemisphere and that of the south. In the old days of sailing this area was known as the Doldrums. Crew of four-masted, square-rigged trade wind sailors would sometimes wait for weeks at a time to get across the ITCZ. The ITCZ also features very light, hot air, perfect for the formation of thunderous storm cells. So, obviously, we want to spend the least amount of time in it as possible. We'll accomplish this by setting a waypoint on the outskirts of it (about 6 deg N and 125 deg W) and darting south through it when there appears to be a thinning area.
April 30. 2010
12:51
We are finally off! Across the Pacific, eyes on the horizon, hand on the tiller. We've prepped for this for a toiling 9 months and it's finally manifested! We've packed as many rations as we can fit in her and have completely an overhaul on almost every system in her. The crew is ready and wholly psyched for this passage ahead. We cast off lines this afternoon. I'll see you guys in the Marquesas!
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| From Jivin' the Jump |
Wishing you all the best of luck and good weather Daniel! I'm enjoying reading about your progress and seeing your photos.
ReplyDeleteSharon.
Great stuff - Your sis in Bangkok turned me on to your blog here. I love adventures... keep it up - cheers! Vern
ReplyDeleteGod speed!
ReplyDeleteBeen a while since another update. You haven't been attacked at seas, and forced to take up shelter on a pirate island? 'Cause that'd be pretty terrible.
ReplyDeleteGive us an update if you figure out how to make a Kin out of a coconut and hermit crab.
First, I hope you guys are safe!
ReplyDeleteSecond, Tom and I finally figured out how those boat steps came to be parked along side our Harstad. For a while, we thought the guy next to us put them their for his use. It finally occurred to us the other day that those used to be your boat steps, and that you left them for us. Thank you! Tell Dan we said thanks!
Also, guess what? We are in the process of buying a new (used) boat! It's a 1969 Columbia 36, which was remodeled in 2000. So we are pretty happy and looking forward to picking it up in San Diego in a couple of weeks.
We are sorry to see the Harstad go, but the new boat will give us more room on deck and in the salon.
Hope you give us an update soon!