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 we can’t get in close due to breaking waves.

We have seen only 2 other sea kayaker groups and those south of the Brooks where they can water taxi out. Most sea kayaker groups are like Blenny. These are small (about 3”) tropical fish that live mainly in holes in coral. I would see them looking out. Occasionally, they would dart out then zip back in. Most sea kayaker groups are in the sounds. In protected island groups. They may come out, but not when there is a 1-2 meter swell running, as it has been for our entire trip. We are pelagic creatures. Mainly on the outer coast, often 1/4 mile out to stay outside the breakers. We seldom go into the sounds, then only to an outermost camp.

We cross Nootka Sound in 1.1-meter swell, 15 kn winds, running downwind under sail. Lunch at Escalante Point, then south 6 more nm to Barchester Bay.

Camp