Day 16: Ahous Bay to Tofino

From Colin: At about 9:30am, after a day of rest, we left Ahous Bay (on Vargas Island) and paddled the 7.2 Nm to the beach at our campground. It was a beautiful day. We covered almost as many miles walking from the beach to the campsite (not really,

Day 14: Clayocot Sound

ue to rain and south wind, we plan a mid-day start. The rain lasts longer than expected. At noon, it is either pack and go or too late. We pack. And the rain has stopped. We do have a headwind paddling around the north and west sides of Flores

Day 13: Halfmoon Bay and Hot Springs Cove (Maquinna Marine Provincial Park)

From Colin: We had a leisurely start to the day, and made it into our boats by 9:30 for the short paddle to the hot springs. The extended shore-talk included much discussion about what to wear, exactly. The results were somewhat conical, and we elected not to photograph

Day 12: Halfmoon Bay

From Colin: Mercifully, there was no rain when we awoke and broke down camp! We enjoyed breakfast under the tarp, then set off. We found the tracks of a lone wolf on the beach but none of us we up early enough to see it. The (a) bear was visible

Day 11: Barcester Bay

We layover because: it’s forecast to be a misty day with limited visibility, heavier rain late afternoon to evening, and a south wind. There’s a potential camp at Hesquiat Point, but there is uncertainty about landing and the state of the camp. We may face a longer paddle

Day 10: Nootka

Nelson found some fossilized chocolate-covered almonds in with his food bad. Not yet mineralized, but a geo-hammer is needed to extract them. 8:00 a.m. launch, and we float out the creek, mostly. Paddle the south shore of Nootka I. Rocky and said to be caves, but

Day 9: Rest day

Rain is forecast for all day today, so we chose to take a rest day. I have sure been enjoying the clear weather and look forward to more. Should be sunny Wednesday, then more rain after that. We will have some rainy paddling days. Paddling in the rain is not

Day 8: Whales and aliens

Alarm at 6am and launch by 8:15 without effort. We are faster for practice During breakfast 5 orca appear about 100-200 meters off shore. I worry for the sea otters. Launch and cross 6nm to Nookto. Swell is running 10 to 20 decimeters. This limits access to the

Day 7: Jurassic Point

From Tom: We paddle around a nearby island, Marked on Collins map with a castle. I imagine it’ll be the ruins of a medieval Abbey. Low stone walls not visible above the grass. But we can’t find any landing on the island to verify this. Crossed the shore.

Day 6: Kuyquot

Rain forecast for the morning so we settle on 8 AM meeting for breakfast. After leisurely breakfast, pack and lunch by 10:30. Paddle past in an island with a tunnel. I’ve been here several times, but the tide has never been high enough to actually paddle through the

Day 5: Bunsbies

From Tom: Yesterday we lay over at Nordstrom creek for a storm with South winds. Heavy rain at 5am, diminishing through the day. Today we launch at 8. Long crossing to the Cuttle Islets. Overcast, 67F, 100% humidity. A real coastal scorcher. Colin wishes for some whales to relieve the

Day 3: Solander Island

6am alarm at beautiful crabapple islets. Fog comes in so we dawdle, but not long. Paddle the NW shore of the brooks. Conditions are mild so able to get in close this time Paddle around Solander Island. If dragons live anywhere, they live here. Gulls and tufted puffins circle the