Weather: Overcast and cool. Winds: S 5-10. Seas: <1ft.
Motored out of Bedwell, raised the main and set the genoa to work S winds. Sailed at 6kts across Boundary Pass, along the north side of John Island towards Presidents Pass and Orcas Island. At Orcas, tacked south into Spring Passage between Jones and Orcas Islands.
Winds died at North Passage and we motored through Pole Pass into Harney Channel. Continued towards Thatcher Pass, picking up momentary winds at Upright Channel. At Thatcher Pass, we were met with a wall of fog. With no radar, we were not going to charge in so I killed the engine and we drifted for a moment, studying the situation.
I tried to get the attention of an eastbound trawler, intending to ask if he would slow down and allow us to follow him through. There was no response, just a gentleman aboard who stepped out and shut the door between us. So, I got the radio out and on 16 called, "Any vessel, any vessel in vicinity of Thatcher Pass, sailing vessel Strider." Got and immediate response from M/V Maria Teresa (thank you!), a resident on our dock in Skyline. Switching to 72, we discussed the situation. They were westbound from Skyline and let us know visibility in Rosario was 1/4 to 1/2 mile and should have no problem crossing. We let them know it was clear on our side of the pass. At this point, about a dozen boats started coming out of the fog, including Maria Teresa.
We fired up the engine and to avoid traffic, we crossed to the south side of the pass while in the clear and hugged the north side of Decatur Island. True to Maria Teresa's word, once through the fog wall at the west end of the pass, visibility improved to 1/2 mile. Once well out in Rosario, south winds pushed us to 6kts and the engine was killed. Nice sail across! Approaching Burrows Pass, winds slacked and died, the engine was fired up, sails secured and we motored into our slip.
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