Painting by Caspar David Friedrich 1823–1824
While sidelined due to winds and rain, the Arctic Cowboys have been exploring the area near Becher Point and Lady Franklin Point. There is an abandoned airport there with several outbuildings. Eileen has been able to wash her hair, in freezing water no less, before the storm came in.
West has described his very favorite indulgent breakfast as two maple oatmeal packs mixed with dried banana chips and half of a Hershey bar melted and stirred. He states, “It’s great!” He and Jeff mix Rebekah Feaster’s (Arctic Cowboy from last year) Orgain brand protein powder for use on their paddling days and call it “rogain,” short for Rebekah’s Orgain. This falls in line with their naming of SPAZ. Starbucks Via Coffee mixed with Spiz.
They have been able to secure fresh drinking water and watch a variety of ships, cruise ships, passenger boats, fishing boats, and Coast Guard vessels pass by them. They have experienced up to 50 mph winds and are thankful for the shelter of a cabin on the shore, having mentioned this several times in our conversations.
More about the Northwest Passage Boundaries
Recently, there has been some chatter among the various expedition groups paddling through the Northwest Passage with regard to where the official end of the Northwest Passage is. West Hansen had done extensive research prior to beginning his expedition and stated on his website how it was determined.
“Roald Amundsen declared his completion of the Northwest Passage and the first navigation of the Passage as he entered the Beaufort Sea, just after passing Cape Bathurst. This is the western boundary of the Northwest Passage recognized in international maritime law and oceanography, based primarily upon the edge of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.”
Cape Bathurst is declared the end of the Northwest Passage but, because it is only accessible by water, many explorers continue on to Tuktoyaktuk or, in several cases, begin at Tuktoyaktuk.
For The Arctic Cowboys expedition team, this has always been their plan and continues to be their plan. They will count their expedition a success once they arrive and pass Cape Bathurst. At that time, they will continue on to Tuktoyaktuk in order to get their boats off of the water and make travel arrangements back home.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Passage
https://academic-accelerator.com/encyclopedia/northwest-passage
