[Jayne Hardy]

Forecast for Sunday is for light winds and a high of 9 degrees C in the afternoon.  Anyone interested in going for a paddle?

[Ted Lam]

Hello Everyone,

Join me if you have time. Jericho sailing center to Acadia beach, may go beyond if everybody agrees.

OTW 1:00PM, free parking at the sailing center

Back by 4:00PM. Dry suit or Wet suit needed.

Email: tedlam1011@gmail.com

Cell: 778-939-6423

———————————————–

POINT ATKINSON 2022-02-09

TIDE
1:23 AM    3.7 M
5:15 AM     3.4 M
10:35 AM   4.1 M
6:40 PM    1.5 M

WIND
WINDY.COM                    E 4-6 kt
WEATHER NETWORK  E 7-11 km
ENVIRONMENT CAN    light wind

WAVE_WIND ASSOCIATED LAST 24 HOURS
ENE 10-12 kt / 0.2 m at 2.5 second

[Kevin Hall]

Hi All, the Comox Paddlers Club have invited SKABC to join their Zoom presentations on Thursday, February 3rd at 7pm.

They’ll have a short presentation from Grey Wolf Expeditions at the start followed by a feature presentation by Viki Cirkvencic of Comox Valley Kayak & Canoe titled “Messing about in boats”. Here’s a bit more information and the Zoom link is at the bottom if you’re able to attend:

Are you buying your first boat? Upgrading? Downsizing? All questions answered from newest boat styles, products and technology, differences between kayak brands to ‘what is the chine?’ and ‘which is better – a plastic or glass boat’?

Bio: Comox Valley Kayaks and Canoes has been in operation in Courtenay since1991. We have been under the same local ownership for over 24 years, and we pride ourselves on being the Comox Valley’s local specialty paddling shop. Over the years we have evolved to become one of the premier kayaking shops on theWest Coast. Our staff of paddlers, instructors, and guides can offer first-hand advice on kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle boarding.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83458129540?pwd=VnZEbGtBVzB6UTE4cjNseGllTTZlUT09

Meeting ID: 834 5812 9540

Passcode: 978148

[Nick Heath]

Randy’s comments are great, Sarka. My experience is old, mostly gained from sailing, power boating or cycling here, rather than paddling.  My thoughts are that this area is lovely, but one must be always be well aware of strong currents and it is worth consulting a current atlas for their strength/direction. Lots of paddlers have come unstuck here.

I’ve stayed at several of the campsites and they are good, but often busy.  Some have overflow areas if you are not pre-booked. There are lots recreational boaters in all types of craft. In addition there are 2 ‘marine highways’ for the heavy transports. Shore facilities and ferries are mostly excellent. In some areas development (cottages, subdivisions, resorts, marinas) has run amok and there is generally more regulation about where a paddler can stop and what one can do, but the State Parks are well-managed, on the whole. Crossing the land border is simpler and likely faster than using a marine border crossing, but I haven’t used either type since the pandemic started.

[Sarka Lhotak]

Thank you, Randy, for a detailed reply, very helpful. I had already ordered the Rob Casey’s book.

Šárka

[Former Member]

There are several decent guidebooks to the area, and the two standouts are:

Rob Casey’s Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juan Islands: 60 Trips in Northwest Inland Waters, Including the Gulf Islands, 3rd Edition Paperback – May 15, 2012

Randel Washburne’s Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans and Gulf Islands: 45 Trips on the Northwest’s Inland Waters (1999)

If you are adventuresome and bring your passport, you can paddle over from the Southern Gulf Islands, and thus avoid a “real” border crossing.  You are supposed to check in upon arrival with the US Coast Guard and it’s quite easy and quick, and often a radio call is all that is required.  (Check current regulations.)

A better, safer option is driving to Anacortes and either paddling from there, or hopping on a ferry, with your car or just your boat.  You can also ferry over and paddle back, or the reverse.  The 3 1/2 mile crossing of Rosario Strait (a good hour) must be done in clear and calm weather, as there is lots of large vessel cross traffic.  Once over into the San Juans, it’s all quite intimate and safe, with no big crossings and lots of lee shores to hug if winds are high.

The US ferries are a bargain compared with BC’s, and they serve beer!  And, all westbound travel is cost free.

For information on walking a kayak onto their ferry system: https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries/rider-information/what-you-can-bring-aboard and https://60tripskayakpugetsound.blogspot.com/2012/01/walking-your-kayak-canoe-or-sup-on.html?m=1 .

The favourite destinations are generally on the northern side of the San Juans, because that’s where the orca, dolphin, and several whale species are usually hanging out: in Boundary Pass. So Sucia and Jones islands are popular, but still quiet.  Both are really only accessible by small private boat, although water taxis can get you to either.

If you want to avoid the ferries and not go too far “out on a limb,” Cypress Island, closer to the mainland (just north of Anacortes), is also quiet and pretty.

This is not to say you shouldn’t visit the bigger islands, Orcas, San Juan, Shaw, and Lopez, and even ones as far out as Stuart.  There are campgrounds almost everywhere, private and public.  Stores and even laundries can be found.

Randy

[Sarka Lhotak]

I am starting to dream about some paddling trips in early spring. I’ve never been to San Juan islands and am quite intrigued. Could you suggest good resources, books, maps etc.

[Former Member]

This is the 2nd time I have taken the time to “reach out” and see if I couldn’t find a “compatable” paddling partner for a trip. The 1st time didn’t go so well, I had to send him down the Yukon at Ft. Yukon on that trip. I know it isn’t easy finding someone, work, wives, relationships, kids, money and time. And of course my expectations with no compromising can put a potential paddler off. Knothing out of the ordinary.

Just seems prudent, if I could find the right guy/gal to have someone along. Driving up to Hay River from Bend, Oregon about 2,000 miles, leaving by the end of the 1st week of June. I paddle a Feathercraft K2 Expidition, a tandem, plenty of room for Stormy in the front seat and gear. This is a very stable, safe and trustworthy kayak. With most of you guys/gals being from Vancouver Island and there abouts, I am sure you know of the Feathercraft. I believe these guys who built these kayaks were some of the best. Too bad they went out of business.

I have paddled about 12,000 miles, all solo, unassisted and Stormy has done about 1/2 of those miles with me.

Me: 75 years old, 100% Disabled Vet PTSD out of combat…in Vietnam 26 months/sober 25 years/great positive attitude towards life/practice the 5 P’s in every aspect of my life/divorced/father of 4 very successful kids/now adults/author of 2 books….working on 2 more/paint/practice and soon to play the piano/walk 2/3/4/5 miles every day/beat colon cancer/beating prostrate cancer and out living them all, so far.

I also have been putting off paddling the Inside Passage, but no more. I plan that trip next summer 2023, including taking in Glacier Bay National Park before paddling over and up to Skagway. Once again, be prudent to find somebody if I can, but feel confident that trip will go fine solo, as the rest of them have.  A good 90 days, no hurry.

2024 the plan is to spend the entire summer in Prince William Sound in Alaska, take the Ferry to Whittier, leave from there. I used to spend some time in the Sound when I lived in AK in the 80’s.

My website is: www.1indsob.com ….tab for Journals/pics/videos of some of my trips/tab for ordering 2 books I have written and some other information about me/my life if you get bored.

Few of the miles I have paddled:
The Snake River from Flagg Ranch down to the Columbia, that was both kayak/catamaran thru Hells Canyon. 1,000 miles or so
The Yellowstone from Gardnier, MT to the Missouri at Williston, ND to the Mississippi at St. Louis, down the Mississippi the Baton Rouge, 3,000 mile 100 days.
The Yukon from Whitehorse to Greyling, AK. 900 miles or so, had some hand issues so didn’t make it to the ocean.
Khuvosogul Lake in N. Mongolia, down the Eg, where I got into some trouble/had a herder take me out, then into the Selenga River in Siberia, thru the Selenga Delta, on to Lake Baikal, where I got to the N end of Lake Baikal, knew something was wrong health wise, got off the lake by a fluke encounter about 1,500 miles. Got back, Colon Cancer, beat it, surgery went very wrong and almost killed me twice, but here I am, almost back to being able to wrestle atleast a 100 lb Grizzley.

I am not done yet, I refuse to compitulate to the age factor. I have been accused of being too Independent, too Old and too Contakerous. Not so. I just have certain peramiters I live by and there you go, that is why I wrote the book “101 Ways to Tell the World to Kiss Your Ass”.

If anyone might be interested to the point of considering such an undertaking or know of someone who was in a position to consider it,,,, you can reach me at:

dhscott_46@hotmail.com, we could start there.

I live in Newberry National Monument in Central Oregon, at 6400 ft in a 100 year old cabin, it is pure Heaven. www.volcanoproperty.com

Thanks, Dave Scott

[Josephine Kovacs]

I would like to register for the March 19 & 20 clinics. Josephine

 

[Mike Gilbert]

Hi Everyone,

For those who may be interested in taking a clinic, Paddle Canada Course or to join a tour I am offering in 2022, please take a moment to follow the provided link to my website and scroll down to see what is being offered.

2024 Courses, Clinics & Tours

Cheers,

Mike

 

 

[Kevin Amos]

As Nick pointed out its best to do the Orientation before you go. It looks like you can do it remotely now.

 

https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/gwaiihaanas/visit/tarifs-fees

[Nick Heath]

I concur with others here. In approx 2005 I and 3 intermediate level companions paddled for 12 days in SE Moresby I. My info is likely out of date.  Moresby Explorers were excellent – dropped us at Ross I and picked us up at Kunga I. Since then, the company has changed hands, but I’ve heard they are still v. good. Their rental gear is fine and unless you drive there (a time waster) you’ll need some of their gear in addition to a boat – such as stove fuel, flares & bear spray, which cannot go on a plane.

Assuming that orientation is still mandatory, you should do the Parks Canada orientation here in the lower mainland – offerings for yachties in spring usually – rather than waste a day while there.  A trip of less than a week seems insufficient time.

Camping opportunities are excellent. Unless you join the mob at Raspberry Cove, you probably won’t need to share any campsite.  Haida Watchmen in the various former village sites are v good but they are not tour guides so do you own preparation to better understand what you are looking at. I recommend pre-reading and copying bits from Haida Monumental Art: Villages of the Queen Charlotte Islands Paperback – Jan. 1 1983 by George F. MacDonald. It’s too big and expensive to carry in a kayak.

VHF radio communication is essential to establish landing permissions and to communicate with your pickup crew. To be reasonably sure of them working, each crew member should carry one, plus a PLB for emergencies. I wouldn’t trust the VHF for an emergency there – I got no outside contact in many locations and the Parks Canada much-touted repeaters did not work.

Water conditions will vary. We had unexpected rough conditions in Houston Stewart Channel, plus the usual wind, fog etc. In early July, it rained heavily every day except one and there were 4 separate storm fronts transiting from the SW, but your weather could be lovely and it will be mostly a matter of luck. All we carried became rather damp after 5 days or so…

Every paddler should do this trip!

[Steve Best]

Hi Sandra,

I am the Haida Gwaii Region Manager for BC Marine Trails. I echo what George and Tony have said. The east coast of Gwaii Haanas Park Reserve north of Kunghit Island is within the capabilities of intermediate paddlers. Please note that an orientation is required before paddling in Gwaii Haanas. The best guidebook is Neil Frazer’s Boat Camping Haida Gwaii, A Small-Vessel Guide, Second Edition.

I paddled the east side of Gwaii Haanas with two friends in 2019, from the north park boundary to Burnaby Narrows, eleven days, dropped off and picked up by Moresby Explorers. Highly recommended. Looking forward to paddling the southern half, SGang Gwaii to Burnaby Narrows, in the future.

I paddled the west coast of Graham Island solo in 2015, Masset to Queen Charlotte, three weeks; and the west coast of Moresby Island and around Kunghit solo in 2016. Expert only territory.

[Tony Clayton]

Sandra,

I have paddled in Haida Gwaii on four occasions. Our very first kayaking experience in 1986 was in Gwaii Hanaas with a commercial group. Subsequent trips have covered the area from the South Moresby area up to Moresby Camp and have been of 16 to 18 days duration.

As intermediate paddlers and if you have some experience of wilderness camping I suggest that with careful planning you can have an interesting and worthwhile trip. I would recommend something more than a week even if you stay in the area between Raspberry Cove and Skangwaii ( Anthony Island).

I agree with George about the plentitude of potential camp sites and the reliability  of Moresby Explorers. If you would like to talk person to person  you can reach me at 778 888 3829.

Tony Clayton

[George Prevost]

Hi Sandra.  I highly recommend Moresby Explorers.  They can arrange pretty much everything you might need, from airport pickups and B&B stays to boat rentals and water taxi pickups.  As for difficulty level, the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC rates most of the southern portion where you’re planning to paddle as “Class III: Exposed water, sparsely populated areas with more committing crossings, moderate to strong currents with turbulence, moderate to strong wind effects, ocean swells, difficult landings, surf beaches.”  The rest of the southern portion – the west coast and the southern tip – is rated as Class IV.  As for length of days, etc. the SKGABC guide doesn’t include a classification for that.  However, but I’d say it’s a B in terms of length of days – campsites are fairly frequent so you don’t necessarily have to paddle for a full day to get to the next one – and a C in terms of length of crossings, time exposed, etc.

Unless you have some experience with your own self-guided trips in relatively remote areas with some open coast line, surf and current, you might want to consider hiring a guide or joining a guided trip.

I’d be happy to chat with you about this if you want.

[Author]

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