The fabled Northwest passage that claimed the lives of many explorers including Sir John Franklin is now open to small boats for a few weeks each summer thanks to a rapidly changing climate in the high Arctic.
The 64-foot Ocean Watch sailboat is parked behind a 45-mile chunk of sea ice, waiting for open water to be among the first American boats to sail the fabled shipping route.
For the last two summers, ice-free conditions in the Canadian archipelago allowed smooth sailing across the top of North America for the first time. This year’s late and heavy winter is making navigating the passage more difficult this year. But sailors are certain the thick ice will melt enough to allow boats to travel successfully from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic.
For daily updates, follow the crew log aboard Ocean Watch.
[...] sailors have tried to penetrate the treacherous trail through the Northwest Passage just a handful of people have successfully navigated their way from end to end when the sea ice retreats enough to allow [...]
i am glad things are safer now i hope people can sail there safely to