[password] rachel25
[position] 52 41.593s 073.45.784w
[status] Anchored in Caleta Playa Parda Chica on Isla Riesco, North side of Estrecho de Magallanes.
Early start (5am) to download the GRIBS (Weather Info). Dawn had just broken, raining and blowing. Even sheltered in amongst the trees the wind was whistling in the little bit of mast which was above them. However, apart from the rain, the wind was in the right direction and not forecast to go above 35 knots. We called the Faro Fairway Lighthouse some 10 miles away and they confirmed the weather situation and also told us the current conditions at Faro - only 18knots - "green light go".
We de-rigged our cat's cradle of mooring lines finding that they had accumulated lots of clingy green slimy weed, and set off. Hard on the wind for the first 15 miles into the Magellan Strait, we had 2 reefs in the main, and after the first 30 knot chubasco(squall), we furled the yankee and kept only the staysail forward of the mast.
This section of the Magellan Strait has much history. It is one of the windiest and wildest parts of Patagonia and is where Joshua Slocum and countless other navigators have waited for weeks for a favourable wind to allow them to sail West into the Pacific Ocean, or North up Canal Smyth. We looked astern into the West, into the grey, rain laden wind, at the grey white capped swell, and were thankful we were heading East.
The strait narrowed as we drove on in front of an increasing wind. Furled the mainsail shortly after lunch and continued under staysail alone for the rest of the day still making 7 knots.
Anchored and tied to the shore with three lines now. The wind has died and the sky seems to be brightening a little. Beduin has left us a message tied to a tree - he left here this morning so only one day ahead now. We should catch him again soon.
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