Exposed to The Pacific Ocean | Ep. 4 | Squalls, Rough Seas & Crossing Cape Caution!
Welcome to Episode 4 of our adventure to Alaska!
In this one, we depart Alert Bay and enter Queen Charlotte Sound where we experience the Pacific Ocean swell for the first time on this trip. Heavy squalls allow us to make great progress to Beaver Harbour near Port Hardy, and then the next day we sail past Cape Caution, which is the most exposed section of the Inside Passage that everyone must pass to get to Alaska.
With disagreement between the Environment Canada forecast of 30 knots southeast, and other forecast models that say the wind will max out at 20 knots in the area, we go for it and get rewarded with excellent and very fast sailing. Afternoon squalls soak us again, but keep delivering strong southerly winds that push us all the way to the northern end of Calvert Island. After sailing 65 or 70 miles, we anchor in Pruth Bay in front of the Hakai Institute. The next day, we visit beautiful sandy ocean beaches that are a short walk away on the west and north coasts of Calvert Island.
If you missed the earlier episodes, you can find them here:
Episode 1: Setting Sail to Alaska!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK_a7In7ioc&t=7s
Episode 2: Sailing Thru a Tidal Rapids, Night Sailing, and more!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qafVlaKFGYs&t=391s
Episode 3: Goofy Sailors, Rock'n Sailing, & Some Playful Dolphins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi_rkcAxuoY&t=12s