[Maureen Benzon]

Hi James, It all depends on the wind. Because it is an inlet, the winds get funneled around the island. Check the environment Canada forecast (marine weather – Howe Sound) before you go. Also check the BCMT map for possible landing places in case you need to get off the water. Winds tend to blow hardest in the afternoon.

If you have limited experience it might be a good idea to paddle with a buddy. This forum is a good place to start.

Happy paddling and welcome to the club. Phone me if you would like more information

[Anonymous]

Hi, new member here.

I am just looking for info on porteau cove to Anvil on a sea kayak. Is this a notoriously choppy crossing/part of the sound? I have limited paddling experience but am physically able and experienced enough for a 5k paddle crossing. Is there anything in particular I should know/route (hugging the coast to the south and then cross at the shortest point to anvil?)

 

any help welcomed.

many thanks!
James

[Jody Baker]

George, Kapila, Kevin and I just camped there 2 weeks ago. There were other kayakers coming and going too. There are two outfitter base camps just a few dozen meters across the channel. I won’t speak for the others but to me the site seemed clean and orderly; the other campers we encountered were experienced and respectful. It seemed obvious us to all of us that pooping below the tide line in the little bay across the island (50 meters or so) was the way to do things. If there is a waste problem that I couldn’t see, the obvious solution is to install an outhouse. It’s a great location and it would be a shame to close it. Signage about basic respect for the place would probably help too.

[Nick Heath]

Thanks for your thoughtful response, Diane.

Unlike the Broken Group, this is not a managed recreation area, so bookings/fees/permits/maintenance/monitoring etc are unavailable. Instead, conditions at the site depend mostly on user behaviour, which seems to be substandard.

Education, improvements in paddler etiquette and adoption of the BCMT Code of Conduct might take too long to achieve results.  Finding funds to provide a composting toilet could create a worse overcrowding issue than we already have, so maybe the short-term answer is for the Conservancy manager and local FN to declare that it is for day use only, with no camping permitted. (Enforcement of such a rule would be another matter!)

One wonders however, where all those displaced, disrespectful paddlers will camp next?

On a more optimistic note, one take some comfort in seeing major changes over time in other anti-social behaviours such as smoking and drinking and driving.

[Diane Snyder]

Hi Nick. Just read your post. My husband and I were on Flower Island a year ago in September as we thought it would be quieter then. When we landed and set up camp there were only 6 other paddlers on the island, and we felt relieved to have got the last site. When we got back from our first day of paddling there were at least 15 people and we could hardly get to our tent or find a place for our kayaks. A larger group of non-commercial paddlers had come in.

The island felt overrun and there was human waste everywhere you looked. We were only there 4 days so decided not to relocate. Next time I definitely will!! It seems there was a lack of paddling etiquette. If we plan to go to a place and it is full when we get there, then we find another place to land.

It may be time to look at the system in the Broken Group islands where you have to reserve and there is a clear indication of what is available. The Guardians in the Broken Group do a great job and were very helpful in an emergency situation we encountered. Some people may not like this idea, but it seems we can’t manage ourselves. Also, Flower is a small island and perhaps it needs a break and should be used for day use only. Just my thoughts. Thanks, Diane

[Bob Maher]

Brent Boulet

Thu, Sep 19, 7:23 PM (15 hours ago)

to me

Hi Bob,

For Personal Locator Beacons, I personally like InReach. Works well as a communication tool with friends and family. Also has a SOS function. But like any tool, people need to educate themselves on them to ensure proper use. We have had accidental SOS calls, and also family members reporting people overdue because they missed a check-in from not properly sending a message on the device.

These devices can be purchased at most outdoor stores like MEC and Atmosphere.

Hope that helps.

Brent, SAR Maple Ridge

[Bob Maher]

Brent Boulet

Thu, Sep 19, 7:23 PM (15 hours ago)

to me

Hi Bob,

For Personal Locator Beacons, I personally like InReach. Works well as a communication tool with friends and family. Also has a SOS function. But like any tool, people need to educate themselves on them to ensure proper use. We have had accidental SOS calls, and also family members reporting people overdue because they missed a check-in from not properly sending a message on the device.

These devices can be purchased at most outdoor stores like MEC and Atmosphere.

Hope that helps.

Brent, SAR Maple Ridge

[Bob Maher]

Brent Boulet <bboulet86@gmail.com>

Thu, Sep 19, 11:06 AM (22 hours ago)

Hi Bob,

Thanks for reaching out. Both Zoleo and InReach devices have worked well for people in our area. There is in fact SOME cell service on Pitt lake and Alouette Lake in certain areas.

For Pitt Lake, the community of people that stay up there use Channel 66 on Marine VHF radio to communicate. You could also use the emergency Channel 16. This could be a more immediate form of help until Search and Rescue can arrive.

For Stave Lake, Reach out to Mission SAR for advice in that area as it is their area of response.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Brent Boulet
Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue

[Bob Maher]

SAR Maple Ridge Reply

Brent Boulet <bboulet86@gmail.com>

Thu, Sep 19, 11:06 AM (22 hours ago)

Hi Bob,

Thanks for reaching out. Both Zoleo and InReach devices have worked well for people in our area. There is in fact SOME cell service on Pitt lake and Alouette Lake in certain areas.

For Pitt Lake, the community of people that stay up there use Channel 66 on Marine VHF radio to communicate. You could also use the emergency Channel 16. This could be a more immediate form of help until Search and Rescue can arrive.

For Stave Lake, Reach out to Mission SAR for advice in that area as it is their area of response.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Brent Boulet
Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue

[Bob Maher]

Bob Maher <bob_maher@telus.net>

6:59 PM (1 hour ago)

to SKABC

Hi Bob,

Thanks for reaching out. Both Zoleo and InReach devices have worked well for people in our area. There is in fact SOME cell service on Pitt lake and Alouette Lake in certain areas.

For Pitt Lake, the community of people that stay up there use Channel 66 on Marine VHF radio to communicate. You could also use the emergency Channel 16. This could be a more immediate form of help until Search and Rescue can arrive.

For Stave Lake, Reach out to Mission SAR for advice in that area as it is their area of response.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Brent Boulet
Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue

[Don Froese]

That sounds great Katya. Maybe we can talk about it this weekend if you are going to the potluck.

[Richard Magill]

Hi Lindi,

Awesome!  I’m not sure of the class schedule, but the class doesn’t start until the morning of the 5th.  I’ll be arriving in Ucluelet mid afternoon or early evening on the 4th (can get there as early as 2 or so if necessary).  I could meet you at a put in of your choice in Uki or Tofino on the 4th, but if the 4th doesn’t work for you, I could probably make an evening in Uki later that week work as well.  The other option is that you come by and pick it up at my campsite sometime between the 5th through the 8th and take it for test paddle.   You can either drop it back off at my campsite or come by that evening to pay for it (or e-transfer the money).  I’ll be staying in the Surf Junction campground (site 1A).  My number is 236.586.5309.

[Former Member]

Hi Richard,

Sorry for the delay…I mistakenly replied to the email instead of the forum, and was waiting for your response . If it’s not too late, yes, I was still hoping to arrange to meet you in Ucluelet. Can you let me know if that will still work and what day would be best to meet.

Thanks,

Lindi

 

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Another vote for InReach mini. Have had ours for about four years.

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Don, Ben or I would be interested to join potentially. I have been a number of times, not an expert but know the lay of the land 🙂

[Author]

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