After departing the big Ice flow, we continued sailing East. Then encountered a head wind that built the seas and slowed our progress. Heavy fog set in just as we approached Hershel Island.

We tried to go between the Island and the mainland, to get some shelter. According to the official publications, we wound have enough water to get through. But the Arctic is strange and the bottom seems to change from year to year.

So after sticking the keel in the sand twice, in “Workboat Passage” we decided to go all the way around the long way. But the North end of the Island was a sloppy mess of seas. So we motored in very close to the bluffs on the West side of Hershel Island and anchored until the winds subsided and seas laid down.

The next night, we sailed around the island quite pleasently. Anchoring in the historic harbor of Pauline Cove.

I dont have all the pictures of Hershel right now, but here are a few.

It was an amazing place and the rangers treated us very well. We took a sauna near the beach, had a nice swim to shore and also experienced some foul weather, all in a short space of time.

Isaac and I explored a little on Scarlet and everyone got to stretch their legs before departing 2 days later.

We also left a drum of fuel with the rangers, for a fellow explorer, who”s boat and crew are coming some days behind us. We were thankful for the wind we have had that allowed us to spare some go juice!

We liked Hershel, but steady progress seems to be the best approach up here, so off we went for Tuktoyuktuk!