Category: Arctic
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Denmark Straight
Position N66,27.868 x W025,54.99. Dense Fog Sadly we have decided to abandon our attempt to get to Greenland. A grib weather file was showing really strong winds approaching the area of coast that we proposed to try to make landfall. As it was by no means certain that the ice would have cleared enough to…
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Into the Ice
Position N66,13.7 x W023,22.28. Wind – just dropped off. We had a highly successful visit to Isafjordur, no one arrested and no one injured. Siggi and his father were marvelous. Siggi’s father, Jon, gave us a huge chunk of wolf fish to take to sea. That will be our super tonight then a nice fish…
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Today is the Official Birthday of Jacobus Halsall
Position N66,26 x W023,10 Wind N F3 16th July 2010 The Captain and Crew of the Good Ship Sumara and the Good Ship Thembi and the Good Ship Aurora would like to take this opportunity to wish Jack Halsall a very Happy Birthday. As you are all aware Jack is the Expeditions Official Model Maker and…
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The Latest Cunning Plan
N68,41 x W014,34. Calm Now we are motoring through a slight sea and I’ve been thinking! We certainly haven’t given up on Greenland yet. It was always going to be the icing on the cake but I’m rather found of icing. So the latest rouse is as follows: We arrive in Isafjordur on 16th July.…
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Beating into an Arctic Blast
Position N68,54.7 x W013,08.8. Now the wind has moderated and the genoa is up but it is tough making any progress to the west. The last two or three days have had us beating into icy cold winds and a lumpy sea with double reefs and yankee. The lee rail has been under and waves…
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Off Towards Greenland
Position N70,58.16 x W008,41.29 Now I’m sitting on Sumara with John, Tim and Sarah discussing plans for a quick departure. Our Charlotte is off sailing on Aurora for a day trip with some people from the Main Command Station. The grib weather data doesn’t look too good as far as wind direction goes so it…
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The Mighty Beerenberg Conquered!
Position N70,58.162 x W008,41.350 Wind northerly Force 4 On 7th July we sailed Sumara and Thembi up the coast 6nm to Stasjonbukta where we joined the Icelandic yacht Aurora with our Charlotte and Siggi, who was to be our mountain guide. The anchorage was calm then but is exposed to the north and west. We…
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Another amazing day up here
Position N70,58.18 x W008,41.43 CalmWe went ashore yesterday together with the Thembi crew and decided to walk the five or so miles to Olonkinbyen on the south side of the island to introduce ourselves to the Station Commander (Per Erik Hannevold). Actually we met him en route in his Mercededs Land Rover and he very…
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It’s so beautiful!
Positon N70,58.189 x W008,41.469. Anchored in 8.2 mKvalrosbukta, Jan Mayen We have had a truly amazing day. Gentle winds with occasional calms wafted us north towards the east coast of Jan Mayen whilst being entertained by Northern Bottlenose Whales, Fulmars and Puffins. The Mighty Beerenberg Volcano has been very shy and hid all day behind…
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50 Miles From Jan Mayen
Position N70,13.2 x W007,53.9 Calm Sumara is still chugging along through a calm sea with no wind. We are going to go around the north end of the island in the hope we can see the glacier snouts. Visability isn’t too bad but I think the island must be under cloud cover. As predicted we…