Getting around the Hesquiat Peninsula was rough. Very, very rough. For one, the forecasted 11-13 knots of wind was actually more like 20-25 knots, directly on the bow. This is complicated by the area around the Peninsula and for several miles offshore being less than 200ft deep, making for steep, brief periods of waves.

Things didn’t pick up until we were a few miles offshore and over halfway down the peninsula; at that point, turning back would have been every bit as bad, if not worse, for nearly as long as just continuing through, so we did. It was not comfortable, and as the bow punched through waves repeatedly, my partner asked the question: “what’s that banging sound?” and I asked “where’s the anchor?”

The anchor had been knocked out of place and was hanging by the chain, banging against the fiberglass of the bow. I suited up into my full foul-weather gear, got my offshore PFD and tether set up, and went forwards into the pouring rain and waves crashing over the bow. I had to go back to the cockpit partway through to get the boat hook, and with the help of the boat hook I was able to wrestle the anchor back into the cradle and re-secure it. We punched through several waves while I was up there, with me hanging onto the bow rail for dear life.

Thanks to my foul-weather gear, I wasn’t completely soaked, only my hair and anything not covered by the jacket and bib, but I was physically exhausted and spent several minutes catching my breath. I had returned to the cockpit laughing like a maniac while my partner had been very worried for me; I can only imagine her perspective seeing me up there while we punched through waves.

Getting into Hot Springs Cove was a huge relief. We’d spent about 4 hours in the worst conditions we’d experienced yet as sailors and being able to set our anchor, make a hot dinner, and get some sleep was a huge relief. We spent the next day there as well while the rain poured down in sheets all day.

On August 16th we motored over from Hot Springs Cove to Tofino, taking the back route over the north end of Flores Island, a choice almost immediately validated by the extremely rolly conditions outside Hot Springs Cove. Things calmed down pretty quickly though as we got into the channel going around Flores Island, and just under 5 hours later we dropped the hook in front of Tofino (right around 49°09’16.5″N 125°53’45.7″W), the largest town we’d been in since Campbell River at the end of May.

We spent several days in Tofino restocking and relaxing, as well as checking out numerous art galleries and buying several pieces of First Nations art.