Circumnavigating Vancouver Island

Mike_J · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 10:58 am Post subject:

Now it looks like Sam is on his way to winter Harbour!

hardee · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 1:28 pm Post subject:

That tracking feature is one of my favorite features about SPOT. It allows for very up to the minute (actually 10min updates) of where you are. I know it does not replace an EPIRB (and there is tons of comments about that in other places on C-Brats about that) but for a way for family or friends to know where you are and when, it is a valuable tool.

Will be keeping track, along with many others here, I'm sure.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

hardee · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 2:31 pm Post subject:

Waypoint #49 Track in progress.

After a long pause with no new track position reported after #50 went back and looked at #50 again.

Waypoint #50 Check in / OK

So all is good and that passage is complete. So now he maybe anchored for the day, or for lunch. Looking close at the satellite view it does not appear there is a dock in the area Laughing

Sam. Have a great time and thanks again, so much, for sharing.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Mike_J · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:07 pm Post subject:

It looks like Sam is at the mouth of Browning Inlet for the night. Not bad to do Bull Harbour to Winter Harbour in 5 hours this morning. Took me 3 paddling days and 3 weather days to make that stretch by kayak.

20dauntless · Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 2:08 pm Post subject:

Yesterday was the perfect day to round Cape Scott. Low swell, no wind, calm seas.

The Van Isle 360 sailboat race is underway. I passed them on my way to Bull Harbour, then again on my way to Quatsino Sound. Great conditions for me mean horrible conditions for sailing.

Saw a bear and two cubs on the beach yesterday where I anchored. I'll be in Quatsino Sound for the next several days, then looking to head to Klashkish Inlet and around Brooks Peninsula towards the end of the week if the weather cooperates.

More blog posts when connectivity is good...

Sam

hardee · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 4:05 am Post subject:

Sam, Beautiful sunrise and morning cruise. Thanks,

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

chromer · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:11 am Post subject:

This is great info. Going to base in Port Hardy next month, with some planned overnights to Bull Harbor. Also West to Winter Harbor. Noticed you have reverse run that inlet.

Knotty C · Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks for keeping us "posted" Sam. I'm enjoying your blog. Thanks for inviting me to join you with the Knotty C this summer. Circumnavigating Vancouver Island is on my list just not this year. Safe travels.

Don

Bess-C · Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 7:42 pm Post subject:

Hi Sam,
The west coast of Vancouver Island is one of my favorite places. I would suggest finding Cougar Annie's Garden in Hesquiat Harbour when you head south. I was there 4 years ago and it is a very unique place. Homesteaded by Cougar Annie who lived there until her 90's. The 5 acres of gardens are now being taken care of by the Boat Basin Foundation.

It's beautiful, strange and the bears like it.
Lyle

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 10:08 pm Post subject:

Sounds like guys from Vancouver like to paddle, I just read about 4 guys that are setting off July 1st to row the Northwest Passage! They have a 25' custom built boat.

Regards, Rob

20dauntless · Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 11:15 pm Post subject:

Don, you'll enjoy the trip when you make it. I certainly am so far.

Lyle, a gentleman I met at Echo Bay suggested visiting Hesquiat Harbour and Cougar Annie's place. With your recommendation, it's definitely on my list. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and crossing Hesquiat Bar won't be a problem.

The next challenge is getting around Brooks Peninsula and the "Cape of Storms." Thursday's weather looks like 20-30 knots of wind, but Friday is 5-15 knots. I don't have a timetable, so no reason to push into nasty (or dangerous) weather.

rogerbum · Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:23 am Post subject:

Sam - here's the most important question - are you catching any fish? Laughing

You're covering a lot of good water coming down the west side of VI. Hopefully you bought a Canadian license and are making good use of it.

Bess-C · Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:54 am Post subject:

I don't think I would push it around Brooks. When you do get around it, there is a good anchorage in Columbia Cove, with a hike to a beautiful beach locally known as "Surfer's Beach.

Further south in the Bunsby Islands is Big Bunsby Provincial Marine Park. I've only been there by kayak, but it has an anchorage in a very protected cove. I've camped in the Bunsby's and it's a special place that is usually only visited by kayakers.
Lyle

20dauntless · Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 7:10 pm Post subject:

I'm now in Walters Cove. I've had a wonderful couple of days anchored out at Columbia Cove and then the Bunsby Islands. Spectacular country, and way different from cruising on the "inside."

Rounding Brooks Peninsula was a non-event. Conditions were calm, but for a small ground swell. Heavy mist made for limited visibility and I really appreciated radar and good chart plotters.

Roger, I'm not much of a fisherman. Recreational fishing is a big deal up here, though, and everyone that tries seems to catch a ton of fish. Maybe I'll get into fishing one of these years...

All equipment is performing well. I had one scare with the Wallas, but it's worked perfectly for the last couple of days.

hardee · Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:13 am Post subject:

Sam, It is fun to follow along. Maybe Don and I can make that trip sometime. I am really looking forward to it, especially after watching your trip Sam.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon