Location 54° 25S, 71° 57W
Monday 12.03.2007

At noon on December 3rd, the Schooner Maggie B was at 54° 25S, 71° 57W, just making our way through Canal Cockburn. The weather continues poor. The wind is from the SW, occasionally 10-15 knots, but with gusts to 40 knots. The sky is overcast with williwaws full of rain, snow, ice pellets and hail. The fresh snow level on all the mountains and hills is down to about 500 feet. Welcome to
Spring in Patagonia!

We have come 1072 NM from Puerto Montt and have 186 NM to go to the Horn. We intend to press on late tonight, hopefully making it to an anchorage in Caleta Emilita at 54° 53S, 70° 23W. From there we will have about 100 NM to go to Puerto Williams, which should be possible in one more long day.

Last night we had trouble getting the anchor to dig in in Caleta Cluedo, a spot described as having only fair anchoring. Alden and Curtis were able to haul the anchor ashore on a handy rocky peninsula, and they wedged it in and covered it with stones. We added two shore lines to be sure of a quiet night.

In the morning as we got underway, a small fishing boat came by and sold us three King Crab (centello) - about 10 pounds worth. We traded for a bottle of Famous Grouse scotch and a pack of cigarettes. They were boiled up immediately with a garlic-butter dipping sauce. It was better than the best lobster I have ever had. We have enough for several days — hooray!

All is well.