We opted to leave a little later than our usual zero-dark-thirty to round Cape Caution today. Normally, the driving factor is winds, which tend to build over the course of a day. In that case, leaving early lets you get the more favorable winds (as well as the worm, of course), and gets you around Cape Caution and to your destination before any afternoon blows settle in.
In this case, the wind forecast was very good, we weren’t worried about the wind. But, there was some steady ocean swell – about 3-4 feet – on our beam along the route. This is normal, but when the incoming swell meets outgoing current those 3-4 ft swells can easily become 6-7 foot hazards. With the normal 2-knot-ish ebb from Queen Charlotte Strait, this isn’t too much of an issue. However, current from Slingsby Channel can spill much faster. This can create hazardous conditions for the part of the trip that crosses the outflow from Slingsby.
Today, there was a large tidal exchange, and the maximum outflow was about the same time we’d be abeam Slingsby. We opted to delay our departure 2-3 hours to miss the worst of it.
As a result, we had a very pleasant rounding with a fairly calm sea state.
We opted to continue past our original destination to head to Pruth Bay, a beautiful anchorage near the Hakai Institute with wonderful hiking trails to gorgeous tropical-looking ocean beaches.
We’re staying a second day at Pruth to have a little more time to catch up on rest, and to enjoy more of the hikes.
Lots of photos from today!
Tomorrow, on to Shearwater for some groceries and a meal out!