The Pacific high dominates the North Eastern Pacific and drives the primary weather patterns. Egg shaped with the long axis east/west at the latitudes of Oregon it is nearly eight hundred miles long and over three hundred miles wide. The clockwise rotation of wind and weather around it creates all the weather patterns from Hawaii to Alaska and this dominates our journey North. Our progress is swift with winds at twenty plus knots with gusts to thirty. The accompanying six to twelve-foot seas creates a wet and rough ride the first three days as we sail close to the wind for as much progress East as possible. 

As we near the High around midnight on day three the world around Hula Girl shifts dramatically. Wind and seas dissipate to 10 knots and 3 to 5 feet. As if approaching the eye of a hurricane the force and chaos of the weather around us gives way to calm. The boat flattens as sails ease their strain followed by the tensions and apprehension of the crew on board. We begin our turn east for the eight hundred mile journey down the axis of the Pacific High.

The sun rises on day four and we have entered a different world. The boat and our progress slows, along with wind and wave, and the boat and crew take a deep breath as the day brings sun and a cloudless sky. Sailing is easy and the entire crew welcome the break as we each sort and dry out clothes and relax to eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast and pasta for dinner. As we start our trek east across the high we relax and prepare for a much different pace for the days to come.