The stunning Patterson Peninsula scenery continued after my launch this morning (a bit earlier to take advantage of the flood). Had a nice push from the tide supplemented by strengthening Southerlies, as I was driven past steep rainforest-covered mountainsides, bare on top, interspersed by cliffs and bogs. Pulled off the water a bit after 3PM, before the wind started bucking the ebb tide; Chatham strait was already a little uncomfortable at slack and I was a bit worried about finding a safe pull-out before the strong Southerly current started stacking waves up against a 25 knot Southerly wind. Not a long day on the water but with the help of wind and tide I still made 18 miles.
Camped just North and outside of Red Bluff bay, which is marked by a distinctive red-colored ridge (I imagine it to be red sandstone) which is visible for miles. The campsite is excellent--several excellent upland tent sites and a really pleasant spot to pitch the tarp at the top of the beach, just underneath some alders. The weather called for strengthening Southerlies on the 15th and a small craft warning, so I set my kitchen up carefully, anticipating a day off and some reading under the tarp.
Unbelievably, I also discovered that I had cell reception--five bars, LTE coverage! I imagine the cell tower must be located above Kake, across Chatham strait. I was able to call home, and even FaceTime. Great to check in and hear that everything at home was going smoothly. Having cell coverage in remote Southeast Alaska gave me visions of paddling constantly, working with a laptop, cell phone, and tiny turbine generator... I could imagine a worse life!
As anticipated, the weather on the 15th was not good, and as I was making good progress towards Angoon and had plenty of time and food, I took a rest day, and spent a lot of time reading and drinking coffee. My one concern was running low on stove fuel, but I was able to do most of my coffee-making over a fire, and I was able to burn some paper trash in the process, saving some space and eliminating a bit of weight.
Had some trouble with wrist pain on the 14th--probably an after effect of my white-knuckle days paddling between Redfish and Puffin Bays--the rest day didn't cure it, but helped substantially. Had some stiffness on the 15th, but much less pain.
Midway through the afternoon, had a mink run through camp, just yards from my camp kitchen. Hadn't seen one of those since 2017 in B.C.
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