Aleria's Adventures

After several years of limited Arctic passage-making due to Covid restrictions, the Northwest Passage was once more hotly contested this year. It was a difficult year for ice as described by Victor Wejer who assists yachts transiting with ice and weather forecasts. Victor counted eight yachts amongst those successfully completing the passage in 2022.  Maiwenn Beadle, who is the captain of the “pleasure craft” Noorderzon , was apparently the skipper of the first pleasure craft to transit Bellot Strait this year. She has done so remarkably early and may be the first female professional captain to transit the NWP. Noorderzon  is a motor vessel (ex. tug) with some 300-ton displacement and with many paid tourists served by cooks.  The Great White Con blog covers all the known attempts including a small catamaran, a guy on a SUP, a group of kayakers from Texas, and a bunch of rowers, all of whom attempted and withdrew when they realised what they were up against. T he rowers...

The Canadian government closed its borders to Americans in May to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The US has a much higher rate of infection than Canada. They also restricted recreational boating in Canadian Arctic coastal waters as of June 1 and until October 31. They are protecting their indigenous communities against the influx of Covid-19.  Yet some Americans chose to ignore the restrictions. Two vessels, one from the east and one from the west, decided to test the resolve of the authorities. Both were denied access. The first having sailed to the south of Greenland, the second having sailed from Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska. Each hoping to transit the Northwest Passage.  I cannot comprehend how people think they can get away with bending the rules on frivolous ventures. Yes, adventuring in the Arctic is a frivolous venture. It's not something that has to be done to survive. Lots of people have done it. Sure it's beautiful and intriguing and challenging, bu...