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Circumnavigating Vancouver Island
- Thread starter dotnmarty
- Start date
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
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
New member
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
Regards, Rob
20dauntless
New member
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.
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.
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
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
New member
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.
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.
Sam - you don't need a lot of gear to get into fishing especially in an area like the one you are cruising at the current time. When fish are abundant, some simple gear will catch plenty. Just a rod and reel, a banana weight and a spoon or two should allow you to catch coho. One advantage of fishing just a little, it that it provides protein you don't need to buy on extended trips.20dauntless":jjr02y51 said: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.
20dauntless
New member
Back in Walters Cove. It's been rainy and windy the past few days. Poked the bow out today (gale warning, gusting to 35 knots) and it was ugly!
Friday looks like it'll be calm and I'll head south again.
My Wallas died today. Slow ignition, lots of smoke, wouldn't stay lit. I'd seen this before and suspected it was sooted up inside. I pulled it out of the counter and opened it up. Tons of soot. After attacking it with a a wire brush, vacuuming the soot out, and replacing the mat, I reinstalled it. It worked! Whew...
Last time it took 300 hours to soot up. Not sure how many hours this time, but basically just last summer and this summer so far. Not the most reliable piece of equipment...
Friday looks like it'll be calm and I'll head south again.
My Wallas died today. Slow ignition, lots of smoke, wouldn't stay lit. I'd seen this before and suspected it was sooted up inside. I pulled it out of the counter and opened it up. Tons of soot. After attacking it with a a wire brush, vacuuming the soot out, and replacing the mat, I reinstalled it. It worked! Whew...
Last time it took 300 hours to soot up. Not sure how many hours this time, but basically just last summer and this summer so far. Not the most reliable piece of equipment...
20dauntless
New member
I'm anchored near Tofino and my cell phone has come buzzing back to life.
Stefan, on Ornery Rover, another CD22, spotted me in Friendly Cove a few days ago and stopped by. He's out fishing with his brother and dad for a few days. Most of the boats I've seen on the west coast are in the 20-25 foot range, all out here fishing.
The last several weeks have been great. Sunshine every day! But a high pressure system has been bringing gales every day, making boating on the outside a bit challenging.
I left Friendly Cove to go around Estevan Point with a forecast for NW winds 25-35 knots and 3-4 meter seas. The winds were more like 15 knots with seas at 2-3 meters with some bigger waves thrown in. Luckily they were on the beam or stern. Our boats sure surf well! Unfortunately, no pictures...I was too busy with the throttle. These ocean swells are way bigger than what any of us normally find on the inside, but they're nowhere near as uncomfortable as a close, 3-4 foot chop.
More blog posts later when I have better internet in Tofino.
Stefan, on Ornery Rover, another CD22, spotted me in Friendly Cove a few days ago and stopped by. He's out fishing with his brother and dad for a few days. Most of the boats I've seen on the west coast are in the 20-25 foot range, all out here fishing.
The last several weeks have been great. Sunshine every day! But a high pressure system has been bringing gales every day, making boating on the outside a bit challenging.
I left Friendly Cove to go around Estevan Point with a forecast for NW winds 25-35 knots and 3-4 meter seas. The winds were more like 15 knots with seas at 2-3 meters with some bigger waves thrown in. Luckily they were on the beam or stern. Our boats sure surf well! Unfortunately, no pictures...I was too busy with the throttle. These ocean swells are way bigger than what any of us normally find on the inside, but they're nowhere near as uncomfortable as a close, 3-4 foot chop.
More blog posts later when I have better internet in Tofino.
Sam
Your adventure has & is keeping me checking your spot location frequently, some days several times a day. It is always interesting seeing where you choose to anchor for the night or wait for improving weather. I'm not surprised to see you several times choosing to anchor in the same places I would have chose. It's great to be able to follow along with you. I sure admire you doing this adventure especially single handed.
Perhaps its to early to be thinking about it now, but following this, I'd sure like to read an account of your exploring the outside of Baranof & Chichagof Islands. I think the conditions would be very similar to the outside of Vancouver Island, just no towns, lodges & fewer other boats.
Jay
Your adventure has & is keeping me checking your spot location frequently, some days several times a day. It is always interesting seeing where you choose to anchor for the night or wait for improving weather. I'm not surprised to see you several times choosing to anchor in the same places I would have chose. It's great to be able to follow along with you. I sure admire you doing this adventure especially single handed.
Perhaps its to early to be thinking about it now, but following this, I'd sure like to read an account of your exploring the outside of Baranof & Chichagof Islands. I think the conditions would be very similar to the outside of Vancouver Island, just no towns, lodges & fewer other boats.
Jay
I've always enjoyed cruising the outside of Baranof & Chichagof and Prince of Wales Islands. But the one thing that would always bring me to a standstill was the heavy fog that could set in along these coastlines. I'm curious to know if you have had any heavy fog along the outside of Vancouver Island on this trip.
Sam,
As I continue to follow your web site & SPOT my respect & admiration for you & this years endeavor continuous to grow. Your not doing just a circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, which in its self in a 22 foot C-Dory is quite an accomplishment & adventure, especially being solo, but included is a remarkable exploration of the many inlets & anchorages. You really have me tuned into your SPOT map & blog & feel very fortunate to do so. Both your writing & photos are exceptional & you have my sincere gratitude for their sharing.
Jay
As I continue to follow your web site & SPOT my respect & admiration for you & this years endeavor continuous to grow. Your not doing just a circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, which in its self in a 22 foot C-Dory is quite an accomplishment & adventure, especially being solo, but included is a remarkable exploration of the many inlets & anchorages. You really have me tuned into your SPOT map & blog & feel very fortunate to do so. Both your writing & photos are exceptional & you have my sincere gratitude for their sharing.
Jay
20dauntless
New member
In Ucluelet now, after spending the last several days in Barkley Sound. I just updated the blog with the last many days.
Terry, from Thalassa, kindly introduced me to his friends who have a cabin in Barkley Sound. I stayed a night at their place and had a great time. Thanks Terry!
Jay, thanks for the compliments. I hopr JoLee is recovering well and you'll be back on the water soon. The outside of Baranof and Chichagof are high on my list of places to explore. Definitely on my next trip to Alaska! Haida Gwaii (range is an issue) and the outside of BC's central coast are also on the list. So many amazing places to see and experience!
Terry, from Thalassa, kindly introduced me to his friends who have a cabin in Barkley Sound. I stayed a night at their place and had a great time. Thanks Terry!
Jay, thanks for the compliments. I hopr JoLee is recovering well and you'll be back on the water soon. The outside of Baranof and Chichagof are high on my list of places to explore. Definitely on my next trip to Alaska! Haida Gwaii (range is an issue) and the outside of BC's central coast are also on the list. So many amazing places to see and experience!