Jul 30 to Aug 3 2005 was the long awaited Johnstone
Stait kayaking trip. The five of us rented some
lovely glass boats at Telegraph cove, loaded up the
boats, and away we went. Our intended destination
was Kaikash or farther, but with some wind, rain,
and a sick group member we weren't making fast
progress. We pulled into the campsite at Blinkhorn
pennisula for a rest stop, and instead decided to
stay for the night. We set up the tarp and made a
comfortable camp. The sun broke through a few
times, giving us hope.
The next morning it was still raining and we began
a rainy and foggy paddle. Somewhere in someone's
mind there are glimpses of a day where we paddled
along the straight, aiming to make the crossing to
Sophia island to camp. But much dampened by a
slowed paddling speed, we reached the site just
before the Orca reserve, and after huddling under a
tarp and emergency blanket during a lunch the
decision was made instead to not test the limits of
the group and camp instead a Kaikash that night.
Mutters were made about heading home if the weather
didn't clear, and two or our group opted to sleep
in the ranger's cabin at the desserted site. We had
the prime camp site, but spent most of the evening
under the tarp. Two lessons were learned: West
coast touring demands a wetsuit, and a full
separate set of paddling and camping clothes. Two
of the five of us had this. For my next trip I
will insist all members do.
By the morning of the third day, Aug 1, we decided
that the first two days hadn't happened and were
not to be spoken of. The early riser came through
our campsite announcing 7am. After asking if it was
raining I emerged and was greeted by a stunning
sunrise.
I had just come back from the outhouse when the
call from the beach came: Orcas! Apparently,
Kaikash is the best beach from which to see Orcas.
They come by morning and evening, usually near the
changing of the tides.
After breaking camp, we headed North through
Blackney passage where we spent a lot of time
watching a humpback whale surface and tail flip(!)
and proceeded into the islands, setting up camp on
Mound island. We arrived in the area just after
another group had arrived, and we began to do a
little searching for campsite dance. There are two
main sites on Mound island, and a few small ones
around the area, but we were very lucky to get the
shell beach Mound site which had ample room to dry
our very wet gear in the hot afternoon sun, and
stairs up to soft campsites. We were happy again.
At this point we discovered someone had left their
jacket in the cabin at Kaikash, and so much
discussion ensued about how to recover the jacket
without too much inconvienience.
We did some evening paddling in the area, and a
couple of us stayed up into the night marvelling at
all the stars. Just before bed, we discovered
there was bioluminescence. It has been my goal to
either swim in, or paddle in water with
lumiescence, but at midnight, bundled in fleece,
and the boats already tied up for the night, I
remained content to throw rocks and swish my hand
around. Next time.
The next morning we headed up to Village but didn't
stop there, the worked our way through the islands
back to Blackney, stopping at some nice little
beach for a lunchtime sunning.
Back at Kaikash, we found the jacket and even a
decent campsite among the masses. The Orcas came,
moring and night. Two of us again, stayed up for
the stars and luminescence, but it wasn't as strong
in the waters of the Strait. Temperature dependent
maybe? The next morning as we paddled back to
Telegraph cove we encountered a pod of orcas with
young. We watched them play for some time and them
headed onwards.
It was about two and a half years ago that I first
stepped into a kayak, and the addition proceeded
radpidly from there. Every kayaking trip has its
challenges, rewards, and learning experiences. The
rewards on this trip were the Orcas and Humpbacks,
the stars and the calm waters. The challenges were
a few crossings and currents that had to be handled
carefully, and were done successfully. We learned that
even a group of experienced paddlers needs a declared
leader, and that sunny weather is never a given and those
with wetsuits and good gear usually have to give up their
dry clothing to those without!
All in all, a great trip. Now where to go next?
Stait kayaking trip. The five of us rented some
lovely glass boats at Telegraph cove, loaded up the
boats, and away we went. Our intended destination
was Kaikash or farther, but with some wind, rain,
and a sick group member we weren't making fast
progress. We pulled into the campsite at Blinkhorn
pennisula for a rest stop, and instead decided to
stay for the night. We set up the tarp and made a
comfortable camp. The sun broke through a few
times, giving us hope.
The next morning it was still raining and we began
a rainy and foggy paddle. Somewhere in someone's
mind there are glimpses of a day where we paddled
along the straight, aiming to make the crossing to
Sophia island to camp. But much dampened by a
slowed paddling speed, we reached the site just
before the Orca reserve, and after huddling under a
tarp and emergency blanket during a lunch the
decision was made instead to not test the limits of
the group and camp instead a Kaikash that night.
Mutters were made about heading home if the weather
didn't clear, and two or our group opted to sleep
in the ranger's cabin at the desserted site. We had
the prime camp site, but spent most of the evening
under the tarp. Two lessons were learned: West
coast touring demands a wetsuit, and a full
separate set of paddling and camping clothes. Two
of the five of us had this. For my next trip I
will insist all members do.
By the morning of the third day, Aug 1, we decided
that the first two days hadn't happened and were
not to be spoken of. The early riser came through
our campsite announcing 7am. After asking if it was
raining I emerged and was greeted by a stunning
sunrise.
I had just come back from the outhouse when the
call from the beach came: Orcas! Apparently,
Kaikash is the best beach from which to see Orcas.
They come by morning and evening, usually near the
changing of the tides.
After breaking camp, we headed North through
Blackney passage where we spent a lot of time
watching a humpback whale surface and tail flip(!)
and proceeded into the islands, setting up camp on
Mound island. We arrived in the area just after
another group had arrived, and we began to do a
little searching for campsite dance. There are two
main sites on Mound island, and a few small ones
around the area, but we were very lucky to get the
shell beach Mound site which had ample room to dry
our very wet gear in the hot afternoon sun, and
stairs up to soft campsites. We were happy again.
At this point we discovered someone had left their
jacket in the cabin at Kaikash, and so much
discussion ensued about how to recover the jacket
without too much inconvienience.
We did some evening paddling in the area, and a
couple of us stayed up into the night marvelling at
all the stars. Just before bed, we discovered
there was bioluminescence. It has been my goal to
either swim in, or paddle in water with
lumiescence, but at midnight, bundled in fleece,
and the boats already tied up for the night, I
remained content to throw rocks and swish my hand
around. Next time.
The next morning we headed up to Village but didn't
stop there, the worked our way through the islands
back to Blackney, stopping at some nice little
beach for a lunchtime sunning.
Back at Kaikash, we found the jacket and even a
decent campsite among the masses. The Orcas came,
moring and night. Two of us again, stayed up for
the stars and luminescence, but it wasn't as strong
in the waters of the Strait. Temperature dependent
maybe? The next morning as we paddled back to
Telegraph cove we encountered a pod of orcas with
young. We watched them play for some time and them
headed onwards.
It was about two and a half years ago that I first
stepped into a kayak, and the addition proceeded
radpidly from there. Every kayaking trip has its
challenges, rewards, and learning experiences. The
rewards on this trip were the Orcas and Humpbacks,
the stars and the calm waters. The challenges were
a few crossings and currents that had to be handled
carefully, and were done successfully. We learned that
even a group of experienced paddlers needs a declared
leader, and that sunny weather is never a given and those
with wetsuits and good gear usually have to give up their
dry clothing to those without!
All in all, a great trip. Now where to go next?
