Chilean Passage Expedition Slide Show in Bellingham, Oct. 18th

Spring is time to paraglide

Sorry to have dropped off the map so suddenly after completing the Chile trip.  Now that we're not paddling every day we've had the opportunity to indulge in another of our passions.  For us, springtime in the Pacific Northwest is for paragliding!

The weekend of April 16-17 was the 1st annual Blanchard Bash Fly-In in the Chuckanut Mountains just south of Bellingham.  Paraglider and hang glider pilots from around the northwest converged on our local launch for two days of spectacular flying.  Even the local TV station came out to see what flying is all about.  Watch the clip, you might see someone you know!





If you're still itching for paragliding media, follow the link to an article that I wrote for a local adventure sports magazine.

Adventures NW - Spring 2010 - Paragliding Article 

And finally, want to see what a paraglider is capable of?  Here's a link to a recent 30km flight I had in the Fraser Valley east of Vancouver, BC.  The good pilots that day were flying three times this distance!

It sure is nice to be home!

Home Sweet Home!

Just a quick note.  Beck and I are back home in Bellingham.  Thanks to all who followed along!

Some eye-candy from the last month

3-22-2011

Last evening in Puerto Natales

Patagonia.  What a magical, ferocious place.  We´ve only been finished a couple of days and have yet to really process just what we´ve experienced over the last 100 days.  It involved wind, rain, sunshine, rainbows, beech-tree jungles, moonstone beaches, glassy water, roaring surf, rolling hills, granite spires.  We laughed from our bellies, cried from our hearts, shook our fists at the sky, worshipped the sun, cursed at the bugs.  We paddled...alot.

Here are a few shots from the last month of the trip.  Tomorrow we´re on the Navimag ferry to Puerto Montt and will spend the next 100 hours retracing a good deal of the water we spent the last 100 days travelling.  We´re looking forward to having the time to reflect.  Enjoy the photos!

Unsupported? NOT US!!

Thank You!!

Now that we´ve had a few days to relax, recoup, and recharge, it is time to place some credit where credit is due.

While there are plenty of expeditions out there that claim to be "unsupported" or "independent" or operating "without assistance" we are certainly not one of them.  We never would have been able to pull-off this expedition without the help of many, many people.  Below are a few of them:


Weather Forecasting

Karel at http://www.kayakweather.com/

We consider Karel "one of the team" and indeed he was with us each morning and evening with accurate and timely forecasts via satellite phone.  The forecasts were integral to our decision making each day and played a significant role in minimizing our risk, especially in the Golfo de Penas. 


Inspiration, Information, and Encouragement

Reg at http://www.brewmug.com/

From a chance incounter on Ross Lake in North Cascades National Park to stories, advice, charts, and route assistance shared over brews at the Chuckanut.  Reg knows more about paddling this part of Patagonia than just about anyone else, truly legendary.  See what Canoe & Kayak has to say here.

Marcus at http://www.marcusdemuth.com/

Google is a fabulous tool and that´s how we found Marcus.  After his help with info on the permitting process, logistical advice, and route beta we checked out his website.  Amazing accomplishments!  We had no idea that the friendly, helpful guy on the other end of the e-mails was such a badass!  If you´re on the east coast don´t miss his talks this spring!

Yosale at http://seakayakingpatagonia.blogspot.com/

Yosale and two of his buddies did the same trip in 2008-09.  We took 100 days, these guys did it in 65!  Nuff said!  Yos walked us through the Armada´s permitting process and helped with route questions.

Rob and Karen at http://www.mountainminded.com/

Way back in 2004 when Becky and I were just picking out this route on a world map, Rob and Karen dedicated 6 months to paddle the route to Puerto Natales and then continued to Puerto Toro (spitting distance from Cape Horn)!  Rob and Karen showed us that the route was possible and helped with charts and books.  Truly inspirational!


Kayaking Skills and Coaching

Shawna and Leon at http://www.bodyboatblade.com/

When Becky and I first got serious about sea kayaking and set our sights on the Inside Passage we turned to Body, Boat Blade for technique and rescue skills.  Since then Shawna and Leon have continued to encourage and inspire us.  They are world-class coaches and paddlers.


Spanish Language Skills

Sarah at http://www.saludspanish.com/

Sarah made room in her schedule for a two-week crash course for us with a special emphasis on distress calls and nautical terms.  Without the basics that she taught us, I doubt we would have gotten our permit in Puerto Montt.  Three Cheers!


Basecamps

Perla and Thomas at http://www.casaperla.com/ in Puerto Montt

Talk about feeling at home!  A warm cozy house, plenty of room to pack and organize, spanish lessons, and awesome paddling advice.

Alejandro and Andrea at http://www.hostaldoslagunas.com/ in Puerto Natales

The best coffee in Chile and a breakfast that just keeps coming.  Friendly family atmosphere and great conversation.  Just the place we needed to lay-low at the end of the trip.


Last but not Least...

Thank you to all our family, friends, and loved ones who posted encouragement here, on e-mail, and via sat phone.  This expedition was, at times, Really Hard, and your well wishes kept us focused, determined, and supported.

Special mention goes to Nick´s mom, Cathy, for keeping better track of our progress than even the Chilean Armada.  She sent us a tsunami warning two days before the Navy!  Thanks Mom!

   

Off the water and in Puerto Natales

We´ve arrived! We paddled into Puerto Natales, our final destination at about noon today. 100 days on the dot. More pics and narrative coming soon. Thanks to everyone for all of the great well wishes and support!

SMS from 881631813370@msg.iridium.com

2DAY WE RODE THE FLOOD TIDE THRU WHITE NARROWS, WE R NOW OFFICIALLY ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE ANDES & IT IS DRY! NATALES IN 2 DAYS!?

West side.

East side.

SMS from 881631813370@msg.iridium.com

REACHED R FURTHEST SOUTH YESTERDAY, NOW HEADING NORTH IN CANAL SANTA MARIA. ALMOST OUT OF RUM!

SMS from 881631813370@msg.iridium.com

75 MILES IN LAST 3 DAYS WARMER W/ DRIZZLE REGALED BY PORPOISES 2DAY @ SENO PROFUNDO NO TSUNAMIS

SMS from 881631813370@msg.iridium.com

DAY OFF IN PASO STEWART OFF CNL SARMIENTO IN A 987 MB LOW W/ STORM FORCE GUSTS, RAIN, THUNDER & TEMPS IN HI 40S. EARNING LAST 150 MI

"Do you think it´s going to get windy?"

It got windy.

SMS from 881631813370@msg.iridium.com

LONG SHOT, BUT IF ANYONE OUT THERE KNOWS OF A N. BOUND YACHT WILLING 2 TAKE US FROM NATALES 2 PTO MONTT DROP US A NOTE ON R IRIDIUM.

SMS from 881631813370@msg.iridium.com

HAVING TROUBLE W/ SPOT, BUT ALL WELL IN CNL SARMIENTO. GALE YESTERDAY & TODAY.

Spot:  No Bueno this far south.

Nick the human Spot antenna.  Didn´t help reception.

SMS from 881631813370@msg.iridium.com

STORM PADDLING IN WIND & RAIN, VERY WET BUT STAYING WARM. BAROMETER ON THE RISE, FINGERS CROSSED 4 SUNSHINE!



Typical low pressure weather forecast from kayakweather.com.  Thanks Karel!



SMS from 881631813370@msg.iridium.com

HAPPY 92ND BIRTHDAY GRANDMA! YOU CONTINUE TO BE AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL.

SMS from 881631813370@msg.iridium.com

IN PUERTO EDEN (POP. 280) FOR A LOOK & MINOR RESUPPLY (VINO TINTO). BACK ON WATER THURS.

SMS from 881631813370@msg.iridium.com

CORRECTION! AFTER CALLING SPOT RE: "MALFUNCTION" SUGGESTED NEW POSTING STRATEGY SEEMS 2 B WORKING PROBLEM LIKELY DUE 2 SAT COVERAGE

Departing Tortel

Sorry for the short posting, but we're only allowed 30 minutes of internet per day here in Tortel, it is free though.  I've added some pics to past posts and a short video.  Enjoy!

Our SPOT seems to be malfunctioning and won't send position reports.  We're trying to fix this, but for now our "current position" map is off-line. 

We will post position reports via sat phone to the blog at least once a week, but they won't appear on the map.  We're less than thrilled with the reliability of the SPOT and happy to have the sat phone and epirb backups.  Buyer Beware!

Here are a few more pics from the past month of paddling.  It has been a wet and windy 30 days!

Today we're packed up with 50 days of food and ready to head out for Puerto Eden and then south to Puerto Natales.  We hope to arrive in Puerto Natales before April 1st.  Wish us luck and THANK YOU for all the wonderful comments and encouragement!!

Bahia Marta

Romilio's Casa at Bahia Sisquelan

Sharing Maté at Romilio's



Golfo de Penas Day One




Golfo de Penas Day 2.  Off Punta Delirio.



Bahia Kelly



Canal Martinez





Canal Martinez. 

Real Coffee in Cochrane