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.