North West Passage – Days 24-25 – Camping Islands to Lady Richardson Bay

Camping Island, Bernard Harbour and Lady Richardson Bay

27th August 2023 – Day 24

Sunday

We left Camping Island at 05:00 when it was light enough to see the sea bed. We headed towards Bernard Harbour over a flat sea and clear sky. We anchored in glorious sunshine and a very warm 8 degrees C. Anchor position was N68 degrees 46.8687′ x W 114 degrees 46.9284. We went ashore and all practiced with the rifle (306).

A rifle is a recommended piece of equipment to carry in case of imminent attack by a polar bear. A sharp lookout is needed to ensure you are not being stalked.

We spotted and old car with wooden wheels and snow chains!

Snow chains on a wooden wheel! (photo Will Stirling)

Dan was keen to get some fresh Arctic Char after our disappointing smoked char that we bought in Cambridge Bay.

Some Arctic Char that we purchased in Cambridge Bay. We all ate in in silence until someone dared to say that it tasted pretty foul. We all agreed.

We hiked about 5 k to a lake but with no success.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HA89Fl0PmvY

Part of the walk was a long a disused runway. There is often the need to get across small streams and I find my otherwise excellent Scarpa approach shoes a little too low around the ankles. After a massaman curry we pulled up the anchors and set the square sail for a very boisterous sail to Lady Richardson Bay where we intend to ride out the gale.

Sailing under the square sail (Photo Will Stirling)

28th August 2023 – Day 25

Monday

Photo by Will Stirling

We anchored in Lady Richardson Bay in 5 m after a scramble to lower the square sail as fast as possible before it drove us onto the land. The sail was dropped in about 30 seconds which was very impressive. Our position is currently N69 degrees 34.0325 x W116 degrees 43.1220 in 5 m after re-anchoring with tandem anchors ready for the storm blast to blow through. I cut Wills hair!

(Photo Will Stirling)
Not too bad, maybe a new career for me? OK, maybe not.
One of Arthur’s real film photos to add some expedition atmosphere. Some people say you haven’t been on a real expedition until you need to get your haircut. Will had been on Integrity all the way from Nova Scotia so amply complies as a real expeditioner.

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