In the boat, just about ready to go

Isaiah.

Slight weather delay, getting gas and groceries, leaving soon

When whaling captain Edward Nukapigak got up at 4:30 this morning he saw snow and rain coming down. He held off on our departure for a bit because he did not want those of his crew traveling in open boats to get all wet right off the bat. Hopefully, it won't be long though. Bryan fills up a drum for his boat after Leonard had already filled the tank

Duct tape on the cleats makes this a safer boat

After stuffing styrofoam into the ends in the cleats at the stern of Silook's boat, Isaiah seals the space over and around them with duct tape. He does this to ensure that the rope attaching the harpoon to the float does not get caught by the cleat in the event a bowhead is harpooned from this boat. There is no wireless at the house so I need to take a short walk each time I post. In the event time prevents me from taking this walk before we leave tomorrow, this could be my last post for a week or two or three... I don't think so, but just in case I don't show up here tomorrow, that's why. #boat #boating #harpoon #inupiatwhaling #nuiqsut #alaska

Potluck to send off the whalers

Nuiqsut elder Amy Taalak, at left in turquoise dress, offers the blessing for the food at a community potluck to send village whaling crews off to Cross Island. Among the food is a bit of bowhead maktak saved from last year. What little is left won't last long. It is time to replenish.

Little problems to be solved

Eric Leavitt checks out a problem in his fuel gauge in preparation for the 92 mile boat ride to Cross Island and all the boating that will follow.