May 2, 2013
Hawaii. ETA approx. 14.5.2013
We are 01,51.39N 130,05.00W. All fine on board, pilot wale joining Pachamama. 1816nm to Hawaii. ETA approx. 14.5.2013
May 14, 2013
Arrived in Hilo Hawaii
Read the last media article: 2013-05-14_usa-hilo_harald-tribune_frontpage.pdf and 2013-05-14_usa-hilo_harald-tribune_page-9.pdf
TOPtoTOP arrives in Hawaii 2013 from TOPtoTOP on Vimeo.
Download PRESS RELEASE HILO HAWAII!
The pictures from Galapagos you can see now here!
After 50 days and 6169 nautical miles on the Pacific Ocean we arrived finally in Hawaii.
On the way we had 2 emergence stops: In Cocos Island we glued our lower rudder bearing back in place surrounded by sharks, what made this repair quite an interesting job. Another stop was on Isabella Island in the Galapagos where Salina was able to check her infected knee at the local hospital; - the same hospital where we had the first ultra sound of Salina 9 years ago.
The direct line from Panama to Hawaii is about 4500 nautical miles. The reasons why we did a detour of about 1500 nm were: the wind, Salina's knees and the failure of our communication system to receive weather reports.
Luckily we were able to transmit an "all is fine" to this blog and receive a weather report through the Beagle SSB network; - thanks to the relay of SY Sweet Surrender, SY Bidule and SY Full Mounty.
Because Salina's knee did not improve, we were considering sailing to the nearest hospital in the Marquesas about 3000 nm away. Sabine should get an award for the best nurse on the Pacific: Thanks to her persistence and intensive care she managed to heel Salina's knees after 20 days. This allowed us to change course and continue straight to Hawaii.
The main factor for our routing was determent by the wind. Because we left late from Panama, we missed the NE-trade winds north of Cocos Island begin of April and were forced to cross the equator to get into the SE-trade winds blowing South of the Galapagos.
We sailed from Cocos on a course of 210 degrees to cross the equatorial-counter-current and the region with unsteady winds in a right angle. We managed quite well and had for sure better wind- and current conditions, than boats going the common route straight from Panama to Galapagos.
In the SE-trade-wind-belt we went from the equator at about 0°S/90°W as far as 6°S/124°W, before we climbed north again. We crossed the equator a second time at 130°W and Neptune baptized Meret to "pilot wale" after one of these animals came alongside of Pachamama.
Crossing the equator at 130° was a good choice: Here the SE-trade-wind-belt nearly gets directly into the NE-trade-wind-belt and we have had only 2 days of unsteady winds and disturbances.
At 6°N/131°W the NE-trade wind were established perfectly and we set a course of 300° straight to Hawaii. On the 9th of May we celebrated Jacqui's birthday and on the 10th of May our 12th wedding anniversary. Sabine's magic kitchen skills were just great: we had fruits and vegetables till the end and thanks to the oven, donated by Annemarie, fresh bread every second day.
For the International Pacific Research Center we reported all the floating garbage we have seen. Result: Close to the coast line of Central - and South America there was a lot; the more we sailed into the Pacific the less garbage we have seen.
In the 50 days we have seen a fishing boat and a cargo ship. Compared to our first Pacific crossing in 2006 from Patagonia to the Marquesas at about the same time of the year, we have had more steady winds in the range of 15 to 28 kn, but less dolphins and much less wales.
The routine on board changed also quite a bit compared to 2006: Now with 4 children Salina 8, Andri 6, Noé 3 and Alegra 1, there is much more action and Pachamama transformed to a floating school.
While writing this report, the kids are counting the miles and each of them like to be the first to cry: "Land ahoy - Hawaii"!
With the first light we sailed into Hilo harbour on Tuesday the 14th of May 2013.
Escorted by the best rainbow ever over Muana Kea we were welcomed on Hawaii! George Valdez, the immigration and cusoms officer gave a warm welcome. We are already fun about these lovely people here!
May 25, 2013
Mauna Kea - TOP of the Planet
Sabine and Dario started cycling Wednesday evening after 2 bikes was offered from Mid-Pacific Wheels LLC to them.
They had to cancel their initial plan to hike up in 3 days with their 4 children, because they couldn't get permission to camp on the way up. That's why they had to go up in one go. They needed about 15 hours from Radio Bay on 0 m to the summit on 4200 m and 5 hours down to the boat anchored in Radio Bay, Hilo - Hawaii.
It was "harder than on Everest" because they have been 50 days on sea without acclimatization and not much exercise, but they have been so glad when they reached the top of the world measured from the sea floor. Thanks to the TOPtoTOP volunteers Christina, Meret and Jacqui, Sabine and Dario were joined by their children Salina (8), Andri (6), Noé (3) and Alegra (2) to hike the last ascent to the very TOP.
They hope that the infrastructure for hikers improves, so other people have an option to legally walk up this incredibly beautiful TOP of our planet in the future.
Sabine and Dario would like to use their climb from the "SEA to the STARS" as encouragement for others to become less dependent on cars, and more open-minded towards those willing and inspired to walk; therefore taking a step towards protecting our environment.
May 31, 2013
Hawaii and Pacific Passage
Watch our film about sustainable Transport!
See more pics from Cocos here.
See more pics from Galapagos here.
See more pics from Pacific Passage here.
See more pics from Hawaii - Big Island here soon.
After saying goodbye to the seals in Galapagos we sailed in 50 days to Hawaii.
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We have had an easy passage and only small pirates on board. We arrived in Hilo Hawaii on the 14th of May 2013 in the morning and were welcomed by the TOP of the planet, Mauna Kea 4200m and a wonderful rainbow.
After so long at sea we were all desperate to walk and enjoy the green after so much blue. We went to the waterfalls and the outstanding botanical garden.
On Alegra's birthday we have been at sunrise on Mauna Kea at 4200m and visited the observatories. At sunset, the same day, we were again down at the sea to took a bath in the hot pools. - Many thanks to Tutu and Jerome and Alan for providing a cake and ice cream for the party the next day!
In the morning, before Alegra's birthday party, we hiked the caldera in the Vulcano National Park and entered a lava tube.
We learned that human contribute more than 100 times more CO2 than Earth's volcanoes about 35 Billion tons annually. The most common sources of Co2 are: Transportation, Solid Waste and Energy:
Watch our film about sustainable Transport!
During the week we were busy to give presentations to Keaukaha Elementary School, the Rotary Club of Hilo and find good solutions like Jerome and Tutu's sustainable farm. Finally we were also able to fix our laptop thanks to Jim, Eric and Troy and we hope to be back on email soon.
The biggest challenge was for sure the cycling and climbing from the boat to the TOP of Mauna Kea (see last report)! We are still so happy that we made it!
The most outstanding was for sure the hike with Yvonne to the place where the lava flows into the sea. It was so extremely hot! ... and last but not least the Swiss family Andre and Mary Jane Bachmann, living in Hilo: They cooked us a Swiss Roesti and a Swiss Zopf yesterday evening!
Tomorrow we have our last presentation in the Imiloa Astronomy Center before we have to say goodbye to Jacqui. It was again such a pleasure to have her on the expedition and we hope to see her back soon. We will sail on the weekend to Honolulu to meet the International Pacific Research Center and do some more activities there, before sail to Alaska.
Mahalo!