July 28

We are absolute alone on Fords Terror West Arm Anchoring, no phone connection no VHF to reach anyone not possible to get out before next high water slack and no people living close to here… can’t be more wilderness than this!

But off course, one can cheat a little this time of age, because satellite internet is available!

But still, a very beautiful and magnificent place to see and experience…

Day 36

After two full days at anchor in Fords Terror West Arm, the first one rainy but on the second day we had great weather and did a trip in the dinghy to enjoy the scenery and a visit the East Arm.

High water slack was to be at 08.30 at the rapids, so we sat off little before and entered the rapids at 08.40 with no problems.

Then up Endicott Arm to see Dawes Glacier a tidewater glacier with a face hundreds of feet tall!

Dawes Glasier was originally called "Young Glacier" but was re-named 1891 by U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey for Henry Laurens Dawes, 1816-1903, a lawyer and statesman from Massachusetts. 

To get there we had to navigate lots of ice, but it was all worth it… really something amazing to see!

After that, we went down Endicott Arm again down to Stephens Passage and then to Hobart Bay and into Entrance Island were it is a small but very old dock to moor at.

69 Nm

The rapids at high water slack…

The little tiny Hobart Bay on Entrance Island …

Day 37

We sat off from Hobart Bay on Entrance Island around 9 Am for a short trip to Sandborn Canal. 

on the inlet of Port Houghton.

After only a few minutes we saw Humpack Whales, so we stopped to watch them and take photos.

To our surprise, we had a magic morning, got to see them jumping and Bubble Net Feeding!

Bubble Net Feeding is a feeding behavior that Humpback Whales are engaged in. 

It is usually performed in groups as many as twenty of them and is a complex strategy involving highly synchronized behavior that even involves communication, cooperation and demonstrates high 

social intelligence.

What is bubble-net feeding?

The whales dive deep below the schools of fish and then use bubbles blown from their blowholes. 

This stun and trap the fish closer to the surface. 

It is generally one whale who leads the effort which the rest of the group then follows. 

The leader is responsible for blowing the bubbles and the other members will surround the fish and follow them to the surface by swimming in spiral patterns to keep the fish trapped.

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Please, enjoy the rare shots below…

Day 39

Today is August 1 and we have been out in the Alaskan wilderness for 12 days and time to head back to civilization and Petersburg again.

It was a calm and nice day and ones again we got to see Humpback Whales Bubble Net Feeding. We also had Dolphins swimming around the bow for a while.

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Back to civilization and Petersburg again …

Day 41

After spending two nights i Petersburg with a restaurang visit, some shopping and a nice 5km walk in anusual perfect weather the last day before departing…

We continued back on Wrangell Narrows, with a lot of tidal current to go through this place!

The original Tlingit name of Wrangell Narrows was Dakxhatgwak Séet, later it was called Gantee Yaak’w Séet (the Steamboat Channel) referring as a passage for steamers.

In 1838 it was named "Proliv Vrangelya”, in English, Wrangell Strait by G. Lindenberg after Admiral Baron Ferdinand Petrovich von Wrangell. Wrangell Strait remained in use while Wrangell Narrows referred to the narrow central part. 

By 1919 it was changed from Wrangell Strait to Wrangell Narrows.

We continued to the end of the Narrows and then anchored in Deception Point Cove for the night.

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Some shots from Petersburg and the surroundings, starting with main street …

Deers can often be found in private gardens …

Leaving Petersburg behind for the next passage which will be the Wrangell Narrows …

Day 42

From Deception Point Cove we continued on Clarence Strait on one of the most lovely day one can experience in Alaska!

We stopped at West Island to fish… got a red Snapper and a rock fish!

So, dinner was chosen…

Stop for the night at Coffman Cove.

The first one I meet on the pontoon was Erik who has been living outside of the village every summer for many years. Erik invited us to come along in his boat to visit and see his place, so friendly people at 

Coffman Cove!

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Coffman Cove marina and the small village with less than 100 really nice and friendly people 

living permanently there …

Erik’s one man saw mill…

Around 1950, logging was carried out at Coffman Cove. 

But when they had finished, they left everything behind!!!

Today, the forest try to claim the area back again…

The exhibition of the logging history in this area, located in the local library …

Day 44

We was going to continue the morning after arriving in Coffman Cove, but during a walk in the 

morning we meet Dawn, a nice friendly lady working voluntary at the local Library.

She insisted that we should borrow her car and see Prince of Wales Island before continuing…

We couldn’t say no to that offer, so we set out to explore the Island by road, such a nice people here.

Prince of Wales Island is much bigger than it looks like… so we concentrated on the southern part with a stop in Crag to start with on the west side. The girl serving us when we bought a coffee there was grand daughter to the lady at Mayers Chuck who made us cinnamon buns when visiting that place some weeks ago… 

the world here are small!

Then a visit to Klawock and their Totom Pole Park. 

This Island only got Black Bears, so off course we had to try to see them as well. We headed out to Dog Salmon Fishpass where we had been told it can be possible to see them. 

The only problem just now is that the weather are to good and no rain, because of that it is very little 

water in the stream and no salmons! So no sitings…

We also tried Cable Creek Fishpark, there at least I got to see one Black Bear passing by, but no fishing as it was no salmons there either for them!

We came back late in the evening so the departure was delayed a day, but all worth it, should have had 

many more days here!

We continued on Clarence Strait to Ratz Harbor Inlet with a stop for fishing again, this time caught 5 different Rock Fishes!

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Day 45

Short trip south on Clarence Strait to Kasaan Bay and in to the little tiny village of Kasaan, to moor on their free community pontoon.

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Day 46

After seeing the last remaining traditional Haida longhouse in the United States, in the village of Kasaan, we continued over Clarence Strait to Ketchikan on the Revillagigedo Island with it’s 

National Historic Landmark District.

30,4 Nm

The North American Haida people believe this longhouse to be the last remaining traditional Haida structure in the United States. 

It was built around 1880 by Chief Son-I-Hatit and was the family home for many years. Restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1938 and 1940. 

They replaced a great deal of the original cedar which had badly rotted in the region’s damp climate, but  were able to preserve the four original house posts holding the structure’s roof up.

It was not maintained from 1940-2011, so the vice-president of the organized village of Kasaan, Fred Olsen started a restoration lead by carver ”Stoemy” Hamar.

Hamar worked with three apprentices, Eric Haymar, Justin Henricks and Harley Holter. Holter says as they began restoration, one could see remnants of the original house, and the 1930s renovations. 

He also says their intention was to keep as much of the original structure as possible, and they were able to retain about 80 percent of the existing building.

Interesting to see for us!

The famous Creek Street in Ketchikan.

The Salmon run in Ketchikan is something people are coming here to see…

Day 47

Today, it is time to leave Alaska and get back to Canada again!

We had to cross Dixon Entrance with open seas, so today was a good day to make the journey, no winds, hardly no swell and good weather…

But we had a lot of thick fog most of the trip.

Back through the narrow Wenn Passage again, a very pretty passage to pass, and then into Prince Rubert Yacht Club marina, very expensive and not that nice marina!

We are going to spend two nights here in the port city of  Prince Rupert, which is located on Kaien Island, British Columbia and has around 12.000 inhabitant.

82,1 Nm

Leaving Ketchikan behind in the early morning sunrise…

The North Pacific Cannery and museum in Inverness Passage we wanted to visit…

The Watts Narrows leading into the three mile long Baker Inlet…

Day 51

Quite early start to get through Watts Narrows at high water slack out on Grenwille Channel again.

Did some fishing in the morning in the Channel, got two really nice salmons, so barbecue tonight!

Continue down to Lowe Inlet where we have been before, to see Black Bears fishing…

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Day 54

After three fantastic days at Lowe Inlet Marine Provincial Park with Salmon jumping all the time and Black Bears fishing it was time to leave. 

We left our anchoring in the morning to get out on Greenwille Channel for a trip to Hartley Bay.

A beautiful day with clear blue sky and some Humpbacks on the way. We reached Wright Sound after a couple of hours and then into Hartley Bay and their community of 150 people and a small marina…

22,3 Nm

Leaving the fantastic Lowe Inlet behind us…

Hartley Bay

Day 55

After an interesting day in Hartley Bay with a 3mile trek, a visit in the village of 150 people and been guided in their beautiful long house, we sat off early morning to get to Gribbell Island at low tide to try to see the Kermode Bears or Spirit Bears as they also is called…

Neither a polar bear, nor an albino, the spirit bear, also known as the Kermode bear, is a white variant of the North American black bear. It is found almost exclusively in the Great Bear Rainforest which is an area of 25,000 square miles.

Continued slowly up Verney Passage and down Ursula Channel with spotting any Sprit Bear!

Then into Bishop Bay and the Hot Spring for a bath…

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Day 56

After an obligatory nice Hot Spring bath, we started the morning after at 06.00, visited a spot on Gribbell Island where it could be possible to spot bears, but nothing today!

Then continue on Ursula Channel and onto Prince Royal Channel back to Butedale where we also had a stop on the way to Alaska.

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Butedale…

Day 58

We continue on Prince Royal Channel to Khutze Inlet and are going to visit some places to see if we can get to see the Spirit Bear.

We are going to stay in the area for some days and hoping for some luck!

10,9 Nm

Khutze Inlet at Sunset…

Day 60-61-62

After hanging around for some time at the river for a chance to see the Spirit Bear without any luck, we continued on day 60 down Prince Royal Channel and into Alexander Inlet with Bingham Narrows for 

one night. 

Then onto Klemtu Passage to the small village of Klemtu.

We had a look around the area and did some shopping in their lokal store. 

After a night we went back up Klemtu Passage and onto Finlayson Channel to Bottleneck Inlet as our next stop. But before arriving to the inlet, we did some fishing and caught three nice Rockfish which 

we are going to put on the barbeque.

57,9 Nm

Alexander Inlet…

Klemtu…

On the way into Bottleneck Inlet on Roderick Island…

Day 63

It is on three islands were it is a possibility to see the Spirit Bear, Gribbell, Prince Royal and Roderick Island.

We have now been to all three but unfortunately not manage to have any luck seeing one of them!

Maybe it was little early and the salmon run had not started properly, or we needed to have hiked with guide in the rainforest to have a chance. We did not have that opportunity, nor was it possible to hike on our own, so we have to accept this now and carry on…

So, with a forecast of bad weather for a few days, we sat of to get to Shearwater as we had to cross some open sea on this passage.

We continued on Finlayson Channel onto Milbanke Sound and Seaforth Channel.

Just before Bella Bella, we stopped for some fishing and I caught a 10lb Coho Salmon!

46,5 Nm

Day 64

Very windy and wet day!

But we carried on via Calver Point and Gunboat Passage. Then down Fisher Channel to the narrow 

entrance of Cod Ville Lagoon where it rained when we went in to anchored for the night.

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The lake which it is possible to hike to at Cod Ville Lagoon…

Day 65

A calm and nice cruise down Fisher Channel and Hakai Passage where we were meet by jumping Humpbacks!

Then into Pruth Bay, home for the Hakai Institute Property to anchor.

31,8 Nm

Day 67

After two nights at the Hakai Institute Property, we continued.

First out Hakai Passage to look for Humpbacks and to fish, caught two really nice Coho Salmons!

Then down Fitz Hugh Sound in the very best sunny weather back to Fury Cove 

were we have been ones before.

29,5 Nm

A whole big tree came floating in Fitz Hugh Sound…

Ones again nice sunset at Fury Cove…

Day 68

Time to pass Cape Caution again!

We sat out at 06.30 to avoid stronger winds which was going to pick up in the afternoon.

Some long swells and thick fog the whole way, otherwise no problems to get around Cape Caution, and then headed towards Nigei Island and then to Kent and Staples Island to anchor in Walker Group Cove between these two islands.

42,7 Nm

A very foggy entrance to Walker Group Cove…

Day 69

Cruised down Queen Charlotte Strait to Port McNeill in the worse fog on the whole trip. From time to time, we did not had more than a couple of meters visibility!

Luckily, just before entering the marina, it all cleared…

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Day 70

September 1st and it starts to be autumn!

We did a short cruise on an absolute flat sea and with nice weather, over Queen Charlotte Strait.

Passed Midsummer Island where we had a Humpback swimming along the boat for a while. 

And then into Waddington Bay on Bonwick Island, a very nice anchoring place!

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Day 72

Two nights at the nice anchorage…

We put out crab pots both nights and got several legal crabs. Really nice with freshly cooked crabs!

We cruised in no wind between Gilford and Baker Islands a very short distance and into Billy Proctor’s Museum (Close to Echo Bay), interesting place…

Then continued via Echo Bay, through Hornet Passage and on Tribune Channel to Kwatsi Bay and the closed marina.

Did some fishing without catching anything, but caught something called Spotted Ratfish  in Kwatsi Bay… really ugly fish not to be eaten!

18,5 Nm

The Billy Proctor's Museum .…

Kwarsi bay .…

Day 73

One night at the pontoon in Kwatsi Bay… Then cruised up the Tribunal Channel, passed Irvine and 

Trafford Point.

Inside Shewell Island and then into Chathan Channel and a stop for a few hours in Cutter Cove to wait for high water slack to continue on Chatham Channel Narrows.

On the way here, we had a visit of an Orca, this was the first time on the whole trip so a really great surprise!  We also got some great shots of Seals…

We later continued through the narrows with had a lot of kelp,, and then into Burial Cove to anchor for the night.

27,7 Nm

Day 74

One more day of clear blue sky and no winds!

After the morning fog cleared away, we continued on Havannah Channel and onto Johnstone Strait.

Then Port up towards Frederick Arm and then Starboard to Dent Rapids and Gillard Passage which has to be passed on slack water. 

Into Stuart Island Community Dock in Big Bay, where we was met by Steven and his wife Suzanne from Fortitude and their guest Mary who also had been to Alaska and was heading south…

56,9 Nm

Day 75

After a 45 min hike to Eagle Lake it was time to take off aganjust before 1PM to catch the slack water through Yucalta Rapids, at this location it is in total three rapids to pass!

All fine and we continued on Calm Channel, passed Bute Inlet on Port, then Lewis Channel towards Desolation Sound where many boater want to spend their summer…

We passed inside Mink Island and into Tenedos Bay, were it was little crowded with boats as suspected.

28,3 Nm

Day 76

Out ones more on a perfect summer day, no wind and blue sky…

Back down inside Mink Island and onto Strait of Georgia to the south.

Then on Malaspina Strait inside Texada Island and down to the southerly tip of the island were we anchored in Anderson Bay.

Some fishing during our cruise, got a few salmons all the way up, but lost them at the last second!

41,7 Nm

Day 77

Out again on an easy cruise over Strait of Georgia to Gabriola Passage, the very last Narrows we have to pass on Slack water on this trip!

Then Pylades Channel Pirates Cove Marine Park, a bussy anchorage which we are not used to after our trip to Alaska!

34,6 Nm

Day 78

Continued out on Pylades Channel and through Ruxton Passage and then south on 

Stuart Channel to Marple Bay.

Visit to The Shipyard Restaurant in Maple Bay marina with my our friends Bob and John. Really good food and a visit can be recomended!

20,7 Nm

Day 79

This was the first cloudy day for a long time!

We cruised out to pass Sansum Passage and down Satellite Channel, then Swanson Channel and Plumber Sound to Winter Cove to anchor for the night.

On the way here, we got good sitings of Killer Whales (Orcas) and manage to get a few shots of them!

25,4 Nm

Day 80

After a rainy night and morning, we continued to get out on Plumber Sound again, followed Saturna Island to see if we could see any Orcas here!

Then over Salish Sea were we also crossed the US border. Then turned babord on President Channel to continue along Orcas Island, but even here, no Orcas!

Finally over to Shallow Bay on Sucia Island, our very last anchoring on this amazing trip… 

22,9 Nm

Day 81

Final Day !

Even something really fun has to have an end…

We had a nice walk in the evening on Sucia Island, it got three anchoring sites and we walked to both Fosil and Echo Bay and back to Shallow Bay were we were anchored.

This is now much more civilized than we have been used to for a couple of months, so back to the reality again!

Final cruise along Orca Island, then rounded Sinclair and Guemes Island back to Anacortes were it all began June 24th…

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Thanks for watching and following us on our amazing voyage through the Inside Passage to Alaska and back again.

Hope you have enjoyed it as much as we have…