Lady luck has been on Martin's side. Yesterday, Aventura was able to pass through the Bellot Strait. It was sticky up to the point of crossing through because the ice reports were confirming lots of ice!
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| Aventura's Route (in Blue) through the Bellot Strait. |
In fact, I got an email from Jimmy. In his email to me, he explained that making it through the Bellot Strait is, in comparison, much like the elation one would feel in reaching the summit of Everest. Not an easy feat to say the least. After crossing through the Strait, Aventura came out into the Eastern Arctic with little to no more obstacles in their path while heading for Greenland. They are making great time and will be to Greenland in no time!
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| Ice patches throughout the Strait. |
From the photo above, you can see the sporadic and rather large patches of ice that Aventura had to navigate through while doing her crossing.
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| More ice. |
The Bellot Strait, as explained by Jimmy, it is only "negotiated on a favorable tide, so we timed our arrival at it's western end to coincide with low water at the start of the ebb." There was still lots of ice to navigate through it but they got through it smoothly without much complication.
According to Jimmy's blog, he said that, "...As they approached the eastern end of the Strait, the current reached 8 knots and Aventura was able to do the crossing in 90 minutes." A great time to get through one of the most complicated waterways in the North West Passage.
I am so happy this part of the trip is over with. Before Martin left, he studied and studied the maps and ice charts worried that this area could cause them to have to turn the boat around and head back from where they came. He is so relived that this part of the trip is behind them.
More updates to follow.
–Kym
(Photo creds: jimmycornell www.cornellsailing.com)
