Home sweet home

I am finally back home in Folsom all safe and sound. My gear is getting cleaned and dried - as am I - and I'm looking forward to some local paddling with friends. But my six weeks in BC will be long remembered and I hope to get back up there to explore even more in the future.

Here is a link to my Picasa site with photos from all the paddles.

Here is a link to a video compilation of the complete trip.

And here is my Queen Charlottes route and a video recap of my circumnavigation of Moresby Island

Pictures online

I have posted a number of the photos from the Queen Charlottes trip up on my Picasa page. Video will take longer.

Back in the USA!

Well, part of my journey home has been completed. I have made it back to the U.S. and and presently taking a little break in Tacoma before continuing my drive to California. I'm headed straight to Mendocino where I'll be teaching all weekend and then hope to finally get home next Tuesday. It seem like this trip just doesn't want to end!

If I have time tomorrow I'll try to get at least some pictures posted - right now my connection is moving way too slow.

Doh!!!!

I went to board the ferry last night and it was broken. So I'm stuck here for a few days at least. Then my connection to Port Hardy will be delayed. So I may be out travelling for another week or so against my will. But at least the ferry company is suppose to reimburse me for hotel expenditures so I will at least be warm and dry. Actually the weather is quite nice today and is suppose to hold for a while. Isn't that always the way it is.

If I had my laptop I could upload pictures and edit and post some video. But all I have is email access through the hotel, so I'm afraid the cool stuff will have to wait even longer. But here are a few details on the circumnavigation:

15 days out; 12 paddling (1 half day actually since I started at 2pm after my orientation to the park); 3 days on shore due to weather; 1.5 days to get out to the west coast; 5 days to get down the west coast (4 paddling, 1 sitting); 8 days to come up the east; two haida villages visited (didn't make it to the hot springs); average paddling day 25 miles; max day about 40 miles; zero days without some moisture.

Completion!

I have successfully circumnavigated Moresby Island and I'm now at the visitor center in Queen Charlotte City killing time before my 11pm ferry ride off the island. The trip went well - rather wet but the winds were in the right direction most of the time. I took three days off due to winds so had twelve days to paddle. Lots of long days but everything went rather smoothly. I feel an incredible sense of satisfaction at the moment.

I'm now looking forward to resting on the ferry and then driving back to California to head to Mendocino next weekend with the Sacramento Sea Kayakers. I hope to get home by Tuesday but then I'm heading out on Wednesday so it may be some time before I get the pictures up and details sorted out, but I will do it.

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:53.2468
Longitude:-132.0095
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/28/2009 12:20:55 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=53.2468,-132.0095&ll=53.2468,-132.0095&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:53.1497
Longitude:-131.702
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/28/2009 07:36:51 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=53.1497,-131.702&ll=53.1497,-131.702&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:53.1338
Longitude:-131.705
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/26/2009 13:22:27 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=53.1338,-131.705&ll=53.1338,-131.705&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:52.9054
Longitude:-131.6323
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/25/2009 16:23:12 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=52.9054,-131.6323&ll=52.9054,-131.6323&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:52.5807
Longitude:-131.6723
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/24/2009 16:53:29 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=52.5807,-131.6723&ll=52.5807,-131.6723&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:52.5802
Longitude:-131.6722
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/23/2009 17:20:29 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=52.5802,-131.6722&ll=52.5802,-131.6722&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:52.3488
Longitude:-131.3614
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/22/2009 18:43:02 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=52.3488,-131.3614&ll=52.3488,-131.3614&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:52.3045
Longitude:-131.2443
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/22/2009 15:13:14 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=52.3045,-131.2443&ll=52.3045,-131.2443&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:52.1282
Longitude:-131.2604
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/20/2009 09:53:01 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=52.1282,-131.2604&ll=52.1282,-131.2604&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:52.2777
Longitude:-131.4697
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/19/2009 21:38:27 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=52.2777,-131.4697&ll=52.2777,-131.4697&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:52.3494
Longitude:-131.5325
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/19/2009 15:24:34 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=52.3494,-131.5325&ll=52.3494,-131.5325&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:52.615
Longitude:-131.8619
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/18/2009 17:25:42 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=52.615,-131.8619&ll=52.615,-131.8619&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:53.0961
Longitude:-132.5021
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/15/2009 16:19:45 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=53.0961,-132.5021&ll=53.0961,-132.5021&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:53.2215
Longitude:-132.1421
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/15/2009 06:31:32 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=53.2215,-132.1421&ll=53.2215,-132.1421&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:53.2435
Longitude:-132.0403
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/14/2009 07:42:32 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=53.2435,-132.0403&ll=53.2435,-132.0403&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:54.2936
Longitude:-130.3517
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/12/2009 23:52:32 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=54.2936,-130.3517&ll=54.2936,-130.3517&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

God's Pocket

I'm back in civilization (Port Hardy) after a week out on the north coast of Vancouver Island. The trip to God's Pocket and out to Cape Scott was filled with lots of wildlife, beautiful beaches and smooth paddling. Here is the route, here are some pictures and the video from the trip. I'm taking a rest day tomorrow before bording the ferry Wednesday for the Queen Charlottes.


Without intending it, this trip has turned into a test of technology. From updating this blog while on the road to sending in position updates from my satellite tracker to doing a weeklong trip without charts, tide tables - just some campsites programmed into my GPS. And everyone is working well.

Some of my paddling buddies might be aghast at the idea of relying on a GPS for navigation, but I see all this technology as just another tool. And the more tools I have in my toolbox the better. And I feel comfortable that I'm not reliant and any particular tool so I always have backups.

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:50.7218
Longitude:-127.4569
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/10/2009 11:50:55 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=50.7218,-127.4569&ll=50.7218,-127.4569&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:50.8347
Longitude:-127.5284
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/09/2009 15:12:20 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=50.8347,-127.5284&ll=50.8347,-127.5284&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:50.8744
Longitude:-127.9053
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/08/2009 15:32:32 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=50.8744,-127.9053&ll=50.8744,-127.9053&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:50.7947
Longitude:-128.3141
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/07/2009 18:05:34 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=50.7947,-128.3141&ll=50.7947,-128.3141&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:50.7707
Longitude:-128.4018
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/06/2009 18:25:53 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=50.7707,-128.4018&ll=50.7707,-128.4018&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:50.8683
Longitude:-128.0525
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/06/2009 07:05:24 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=50.8683,-128.0525&ll=50.8683,-128.0525&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:50.8856
Longitude:-127.4872
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/04/2009 16:25:49 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=50.8856,-127.4872&ll=50.8856,-127.4872&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Change of Plans

For several months I have been planning my paddle out to the Brooks Peninsula. Checking maps, reading descriptions, choosing launch points, sorting gear. After my Tofino trip I had to wait while the gale wind warning went away. As the forecast was improving I headed out to the launch site (Artlish) which is well off the beaten path on logging roads. I was happy when I got there to see a large family group that had set up camp for the summer - I was sure it would be safe to leave my truck as I went off paddling.

But I also noticed the smoke in the air. The locals had seen it too but had no information. I waited a day since the forecast was still for high winds and I watched to see what would happen with the fire. It was clear the fire was north of us and we were in no immediate danger. I aslo felt confident that I would be fine out on the water. I was really just worried that I would come back after a week of paddling and the one road out of the place would be blocked off.

So last night I wrestled long and hard with the decision of what to do. It was one of the most difficult times I have had making up my mind. I felt the risk was relatively low but if I got stuck I would miss my window to get up to the Queen Charlottes. And then I realized that the destination wasn't what I was having troiuble letting go - it was the planning. There are many beautiful paddling options around so I decided to find somewhere else to paddle that would be just as nice (and give me a good challenge) without the risk of missing my ferry reservation.

So I am headed up to Port Hardy to head out to God's Pocket and Cape Scott. So instead of a six day trip out to the exposed and rugged west coast of Vancouver Islandthat took several months of planning I will be doing a six day paddle out to the exposed and rugged north coast of Vancouver Island with about three hours of planning. With the benefit that my launch site is about two miles from where the ferry departs. Wish me luck!

And check out the video now added to my Tofino report below.

There be whales here, cap'n!

Success! I launched from Telegraph Cove this morning and paddled down to Johnstone Strait. After about an hour and a half I noticed a couple of boats on the other side of the channel hanging about. So I headed over and as I got near, sure enough there were a couple of black fins poking out of the water. I charged closer (though not too close - you aren't allowed to approach within 100m) and got out the camera and started shooting. There appeared to be four orcas just playing around in the area. It's quite hard to get good pictures of whales a couple hundred yards away while bouncing and trying to maneuver your kayak - especially when you drift into a small tidal race. But I got a few pictures that came out OK.

After a little while the whales headed off down the channel and all the boats pursued (but at a respectful distance). I couldn't quite keep up and before long I was about 500 yards behind the last pair and then they just stopped appearing on the surface. Since that was the direction I was headed anyway I just kept paddling. After about five minutes I noticed a couple fins about 1,000 yards ahead and just then a whale popped up right in front of me - about 50 feet. I didn't have my camera out since I was paddling to catch up so I couldn't get a close up shot. And he was headed away so by the time I was ready to shoot he was back at a distance. But it was good to see one close enough to get a true measure of their size and to really appreciate the beauty of these creatures in the water.

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:50.5466
Longitude:-126.8315
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:08/02/2009 13:00:54 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=50.5466,-126.8315&ll=50.5466,-126.8315&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Switch-a-roo

I had planned to try to get a paddle in Johnstone Strait after the Brooks Peninsula trip since the Brooks trip was more important so I wanted to make sure to get it in. But with gale warnings persisting on the coast I am going to drive up to Telegraph Cove and try to get a quick paddle in in the morning. I talked to a local and he said they've been seeing lots of whales - ever since I started kayaking I really wanted to get the chance to paddle next to Orcas, so let's hope it happens. I just have to figure out if the currents are going to work - I think I may just have to fight them if I want to get out on the water early. I hope to be able to start the Brooks trip on Monday morning but we'll just have to see how the weather plays out - I think I can wait until Tuesday but anything later and I'll have to shorten the trip in order to make it up to the Queen Charlottes on schedule.

Today I attended the Filberg Festival in Comox. It's an arts and crafts and music festival in a little town on the water. Not my normal outing but it was a fun way to spend a hot and sunny day - sitting in the shade listening to live music and snacking on fried ice cream.

Good dress rehearsal

I just got off the water in Tofino and don't have much time to write, but the trip went well. I got everywhere I wanted (the Ramsey hot spring was incredible) and most things worked fine. A few things to tweak for gear and such before my next trip - Brooks Peninsula. But I may have a few days to wait since the latest weather forecast called for strong winds up there. I will drive up there tonight and just see how it looks in the morning.

Here is a link to my approximate route.

Here are some more pictures.

UPDATE: Here is the video recap of the trip:

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:49.1539
Longitude:-125.9099
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:07/31/2009 11:40:24 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=49.1539,-125.9099&ll=49.1539,-125.9099&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:49.2603
Longitude:-126.1334
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:07/30/2009 16:15:26 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=49.2603,-126.1334&ll=49.2603,-126.1334&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:49.3519
Longitude:-126.2415
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:07/30/2009 06:31:25 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=49.3519,-126.2415&ll=49.3519,-126.2415&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:49.3175
Longitude:-126.0781
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:07/28/2009 17:06:42 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=49.3175,-126.0781&ll=49.3175,-126.0781&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

San Juans

On Thursday I paddled through the Tacoma Narrows at max flood around 5 knots, on Friday I hit Deception Pass (video below) topping out around 7 knots, and today I rounded Cypress Island, riding a 3 knot current on the backside. It's nice letting the water do the work for you - something we don't get that much of down in California. Pictures here.

It has also bee great to see and paddle with old and new friends and get to paddle. In Tacoma I met up with my old friend Gary who ran the UCLA kayak program which is where I learned to paddle. When he moved away several years ago he left the job to me - a significant step in my paddling career.

I'm afraid that the video from Deception Pass is low quality since I don't have access to high speed uploads at the moment...

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location:
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:48.5779
Longitude:-122.7396
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:07/26/2009 10:12:25 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=48.5779,-122.7396&ll=48.5779,-122.7396&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

OK ESN:0-7376388

SPOT check in. Everything's OK and here is my location. 3
ESN:0-7376388
Latitude:47.3127
Longitude:-122.5287
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:07/24/2009 11:52:09 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=47.3127,-122.5287&ll=47.3127,-122.5287&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Let the paddling begin!

I've mostly been on the road driving the past few days (including going past my favorite lonely mountain to the right) but I have now reached Washington and will be paddling here in the area through the weekend. I'm staying with an old friend who was one of my first kayak instructors - he use to run UCLA's kayak program before leaving that job to me when he moved to Tacoma. We plan to paddle the Tacoma narrows today, Deception Pass tomorrow and then a day or two in the San Juans. Good practice dealing with currents and navigating on the fly.

On the way up I stopped in Oregon to visit Brian Schulz of Cape Falcon Kayaks. He teaches workshops in building skin on frame boats including his own designs. He took me out surfing and let me try his latest design - a hybrid boat with a pointy sea kayak bow and the flat tail of a surf boat. The waves weren't great but the boat sure was fast once you got on one. The whole Oregon coast is an incredibly beautiful and rugged place, but hard to find a convenient launch spot.

Then on my way through Portland I got to stop and talk with my friend Dave at Alder Creek Kayak. He paddled out of Prince Rupert, BC a few weeks ago and was full of useful information. Always good to get some beta that makes it sound like your plans might not be too crazy after all.

Hopefully I'll have more paddling pics to post in the next day or two, but here are some shots from the road.

Strategic Planning

I think I have most of my ducks lined up. I have several weeks worth of provisions and every piece of paddling gear you can think of. I've charted out my big trips and downloaded vital waypoints to my GPS. On July 20th I'll be hitting the road for almost tsix weeks of paddling along the Pacific coast. For my multi-day trips I expect to be paddling solo but I may also meet up with some folks for day paddles along the way. You can click on the itinerary below for my general schedule - but I reserve the right to change it up to suit my whims.

I will try to post as much as I can during the trip but I am not sure how often I will get internet access (or how much my mobile broadband will cost me in Canada). I will also be sending in positions from my SPOT (satelite tracker) so everyone will at least know where I am. Photos and video might have to wait until my return.