I mentioned the start of Ella Hibbert‘s long voyage in her yacht Yeva over on this year’s Northwest Passage thread. Ella and Yeva have now crossed north of the Arctic Circle near Iceland and have begun their attempt to circumnavigate the Arctic in a single summer by sailing past the north of Iceland in a westerly direction:
According to yesterday evening’s update from Ella’s shore team:
Ella’s had a tough time of it today, which is why she hasn’t posted her daily vlog. After days of drifting, she has wind and lots of it.
“35-40 knots, but the wind’s not the issue, it’s the sea state. Massive waves, breaking crests and spray.”
She’s having to run north to take the waves on Yeva’s stern as it was getting too dangerous to sail with them coming over the beam (side-on).
“Having the weight of the Norwegian Sea dumped on me in the cockpit was pretty miserable. The cockpit literally filled like a bathtub with me in it.”
The tracking map above suggests that conditions have moderated and Yeva is back on course for Cape Farewell
[Update – July 4th]Ella and Yeva have rounded Cape Farewell and are now heading northwards towards the start of the Northwest Passage, which begins when they cross the Arctic Circle once again:
After departing yesterday afternoon, Yeva has returned to Nuuk. Presumably following some teething troubles after her recent repairs:
Here’s a rather distant picture of Yeva arriving at Pond Inlet earlier today, courtesy of the webcam aboard the cruise ship Viking Octantis:
After a brief visit to Tay Bay, Yeva is now heading north through Navy Board Inlet towards Lancaster Sound:
Yeva has reached Fort Ross:
By the early hours of August 14th Yeva has safely emerged from the western end of Bellot Strait:
Watch this space!
Aye, Jim!
I’ve been a good paparazzi boy today.
Batten down the hatches!
Ella & Yeva in Nuuk!
Thanks GS.
My pleasure, Jim.
Will try to make a short interview tomorrow.
If it’s not already too late, would you like me to introduce you?
Thx, but no, we’re good.
It seems Yeva is not quite so good though?
“The air intake pipe has sucked in water!”
https://www.facebook.com/stories/100703042771746/
Looking at ice charts
The ace ice paparazzo strikes again!
And the way across Baffin Bay is currently remarkably free of sea ice:
According to Instagram, Ella is back in Nuuk, one more problem to solve.
No further details.
Seems like the 3rd failed attempt at leaving Nuuk, today.
Was out on the beach with my binoculars, she seems like some sort of bird of misfortune?
Yup – After an even shorter trip than the previous one:
The previous hiatus involved sorting out problems with radio aerials. The cause of this one remains to be seen.
Breaking: Yeva has now left Nuuk’s forceful event horizon, or in other words exited Baal’s River, aka the Nuuk Fjord.
Canada / NWP next? Or Ilulissat, NW Greenland.
Sisimiut or Upernavik?
Atammik!
First harbour: Maniitsoq. Landed just now.
A long first leg after Nuuk!