Interesting . . . a reply I previously wrote has disappeared even tho’ the ‘Last Post’ and reply number reports that it’s there.
Anyway:
The use of ‘less than optimal’ bivouac-style overnite stops is a strategy that I think will be workable. Using this approach or one that slightly challenges ‘policies’ could go a long way to enabling transit past this difficult Keats to Thormanby stretch at least. To me at least, there are several candidate locations, in a descending order, that exceed, or meet this strategy:
The first, and to my mind the best, is Wilson Creek. This is actually crown land and has previously designated for public enjoyment for decades. The main drawback to this and other Sechelt region site designations is that the local indigenous group will not support any additional BCMT designation. However in the meantime, this, and other, crown locations should be able to be used until literally closed to public use. Altho a small site, it has quite interesting weather shelter at all except at extreme low water. And is about the best location one could want:
Wilson Creek:
Next, just a little SE of Wilson Ck, is a weird undesignated piece of land in seemingly perpetual limbo: the very end of Beach-David Avenue. This piece of previously private land seems to be in the never-never-land of handover to the Sunshine Cst parks system, but not yet accomplished [from when I last looked into it]. Quite a large undeveloped upland, with a small sea access that is used by locals in-the-know for small boat storage. So temporal ‘kayak storage’ should be ok while just ‘inadvertently’ bivouacing a few meters upland – or possible right there at the t.o. the beach:
Beach Avenue:
The next one is a [66’ wide, 21+ meters] Road End Right-of-Way that is the water access to the Roberts Ck Campground that is about 1 km upland. While certainly not a designated overnight stop, I think a ‘temporary’ overnite stop could well be ‘argued’ for as that upland hike is just too far just this only time. This location is just a little more SE of Wilson Ck and Beach Ave – so all three are reasonable central betw Keats and Thormanby.
Park Ave:
And the last one included here would be more ‘stealthish’: a small wooded area at the SE corner of Chaster Beach. This location has been used by others for temporary stays but another drawback is that it’s quite a bit further S: only 6 km from Keats – so not a great halfway stop – but provocative like the others:
Chaster Bch:
Anyway, these are locations that could qualify for the mentioned short ‘overnite’ stop strategy. I personally think that Wilson Ck is the best because of location, ocean shelter, and wilderness aspect. Leaving aside the BCMT hat, comments?