[Mick Allen]

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?

[Kapila Jayaweera]

That is great Katya. Looking forward to see who else interested.

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Hi Kapila, Ben and I are always interested to doing something like this. Feel free to email.

Katya

[Kapila Jayaweera]

I am looking to improve my skills, looking for opportunities to play in the current. If anyone planning on paddling Surge Narrows, Porlier Pass, Skookumchuck or anywhere else, I love to join.
I did a white water introductory course with Purple Hays kayaking at Chilliwack few weeks ago running through Chilliwack river. It was a great fun and new experience on very short (7’ and 4” to be exact) boat can spin 360 + another 45 degrees in one sweep. Also they role well. Highly recommended if anyone wants to take your experience to the next level.

Any feedback would be appreciate. I could even help organizing a group if more experience person available to lead the water activities.
Thank you,
Kapila

[Bob Maher]

Quirine,

Contact Coastal Outdoor in N. Van or Western Kayak in Abbotsford.

Bob Maher

[Quirine Schuyff]

I likely need the whole rudder replaced but it could be just a part. Where is be the best place to get it assessed then repaired or replaced?

 

[Nick Heath]

Thank you, Mick, for these non-standard suggestions. Let me address just one point.

As you are well aware we tried long and hard to find some overnight camping along the “stretch” from Keats I and Gibsons to Sechelt and the Thormanby Is. The solution might be to simply accept a less-than-optimal bivouac-style camp on one of several beaches that are not directly overlooked by homes. The upland might be Private, but the foreshore is not, so camping seems feasible – at Neaps anyway. Won’t the neighbours complain? Perhaps, but you would be on the public intertidal strip, so the  Regional District rules will not apply there (“No camping or overnight parking”) and I doubt you could be forced to move along. The polite/discrete way to do this is to gave no fires and to put up hammocks/tents only at dusk and take them down as early the next morning as practical. So this would not be for lazy, destination camping but simply and overnight stop when touring. Who is willing to try it?

[Brian Pegg]

Hi Bozena –

That is an incredible area you will enjoy the trip!

This website will give you all the info you need, not just about camp spots but also pull outs.  There are several accessible beaches between Bunsby and Spring, though as you say most of the shore is cliffy.

The BCMT Site Map

 

[Bozena Zdaniuk]

hello dear kayakers,

we are heading for bunsby islands in a couple of weeks and have two questions in hope someone would be willing to chime in.

1.What are the best camp sites on Bunsby?

2. we will be paddling from the Bunsby to Spring Island, probably hugging the shore. Will there be any places to stop for a break on the land? The chart doesn’t show any big beaches and most of it seems pretty ‘cliffy’ but maybe someone knows on some spots where we can pull in for a quick break?

thanks so much for any info!

cheers,

bozena

[George Prevost]

Leg Cove at the north-west end of Hanson Island is a good place to stay if you want quick access to moderate current through the Plumper Islands (3-4 knots max.) and to Weynton Passage (bigger current – check out Stubbs Island), the north western tip of Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound.  The campsite itself doesn’t have a great view but the local area is a hot spot for wildlife: orcas, humpbacks, porpoises and sea lions.

If you’re looking for bigger current and bigger water, the Little Hanson campsite at the south-east end of Hanson Island puts you right near the pinch point of Blackney Passage.  The current gets up near 6 knots at max with the associated whirlpools, boils, overfalls, etc.  Not for the faint-hearted!

If you want more details, I’d be happy to do a Zoom call with you.

[John Drent]

Arluk 3 is sold.

[Nick Heath]

The ‘club owned boats’ idea has much appeal, but SKABC in the past has been challenged  to own/maintain/ share even small equipment such as VHF radios (we had to sell them off cheaply), hydrophones (all ‘disappeared’.) This is not to mention marine charts and BBQ – all impacted by a lack of suitable storage space

Having a formal membership arrangement with a group like Club Locarno would seem to make the best sense. We’ve mulled this idea before and encourage non-boat owners to look into joining the kayak section of that club.

A mutual range of benefits might result – they get increased access to trips and training etc and maybe boat maintenance too. We get access to some boats for beginners or apartment dwellers and their boats can be booked and used either at or away from their Jericho site.

I think this should be explored more vigorously than I was able to do in the past couple of years. We have or have had several dual members.

 

[Nick Heath]

There are lots of places where the consequences might be severe for an error  – e.g starting with Turn Pt on Johnstone Str / camp at Little Bear Bay, but if you want something safer, I’d suggest Surge Narrows/Whiterock Passage. Hole in the Wall and Okisollo Rpds with good camping at Francisco I or Freedom Pt or other locations nearby. Another idea is out of Pt Hardy or Fort Rupert out to the Masterman Is and camp at Cattle I, but the current is quite weak.

[John Halliday]

I recommend that you become familiar with the marine weather forecasts for Pacific south coast here: https://weather.gc.ca/marine/region_e.html?mapID=02

Particularly Johnstone Strait and Strait of Georgia

Then find an area with strong winds and go there!

[Devi Desabhatla]

Pender Island. (  BC ferry to Otter Bay, direct from Tsawaassen or via Victoria)

Camp at Port Browning Marina.  Tent sites on grass next to small beach. Or you can glamp.. tented accommodation. Hot showers: 2x loonies. Good restaurant or go to small mall close by.

Small beach next to camp site in a bay. Perfect for roll etc practice in calm waters.

Head out to end of bay towards Saturna Island for more dynamic waters.

Circumnavigate South Pender

Channel between North and South Pender has strong tidal current , when time is right: ideal to practice cross tide ferrying.

I have been there last year and earlier in May this year for a training session.

Cheers

 

[Author]

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