Ear: Finns

“Greenland has suddenly become a subject of interest, but did you know that Astoria actually has a nautical connection with that vast ice-bound island on the other side of the continent?” asked nautical/outdoor journalist and Astorian Peter Marsh.

“This is thanks to a Finnish couple, Juho Karhu and Sohvi Kangasluoma, who sailed into the Columbia River in the summer of 2022 to fix some small problems on their 43-foot boat, the Lumi …

“Scott Silverman, skipper of Astoria Sea Scout Ship 635, and I were checking out the Port of Astoria haul-out yard in 2022 when we spotted the Lumi … (and) quickly learned that the Finns … were still trying to find a machine shop with a lathe to make a new pivot pin for their drop-keel.

“I knew of an expert who was able to do the job that evening, allowing the crew to confidently sail north on the Inland Passage to Southeast Alaska … They kept the boat in Prince William Sound (in Alaska) over the winter … before embarking on their ultimate goal: the Northwest Passage (from Alaska to Greenland).” The couple’s mission is to contribute to the research, appreciation and understanding of the Arctic.

“In 2024, they successfully overcame the many challenges on this very demanding route … They passed into the Davis Strait (in the northern Atlantic Ocean) in September, having navigated around 1,000 nautical miles with the ice pack never far away …

“These Finns are a really tough pair, so are spending the winter iced in on the west side of Greenland, south of Sisimiut. They have already begun skiing on the sea ice, and flying their drone to film the stunning scenery for their blog, Alluring Arctic. Their location will stay frozen until May or early June, with temperatures well below freezing!” (Photos: Alluring Arctic)