Around Vancouver Island

Part 4 - Jun. 23rd - Day 25 - Bear Encounters

The forecast called for calm winds for at least the next two days. The Cape is about fifteen miles away and the tide begins rising around...

Part 4 - Jun. 22nd - Day 24 - Rest Day at Shuttleworth Bight

The west wind was strong the entire day, but the forecast called for calmer conditions to begin developing in the afternoon and last for...

Part 4 - Jun. 21st - Day 23

I started early to catch the falling tide, and the slight tail breeze. North of Port Hardy there are no towns or roads, and the beaches...

PART 4 - ROUNDING CAPE SCOTT - Jun. 19th & 20th - Port Hardy - Days 21 & 22

I reviewed the weather forecast for the next seven days and assessed when there’d be a weather window to round Cape Scott and arrive in...

Part 3 - Jun. 18th - Port Hardy - Day 20

The morning brought dead calm conditions. The tide was falling through most of the morning, and that helped to make fast progress early...

Part 3 - Jun. 17th - Day 19

My Paddle to Port McNeill was only six miles. Strong northwest winds were forecast for the afternoon, and getting to Port Hardy could...

Part 3 - Jun. 16th - Day 18

Last night I had a text conversation with my friend Lee from Victoria. “Hey, how’s the progress going?” “I got to Naka Camp today.” ...

Part 3 - Jun. 15th - Day 17

I had another weird dream about my kayak last night. I was paddling when suddenly an enormous hole had opened under the hull like a wood...

Part 3 - Jun. 14th - Day 16 - The Johnstone Strait

Last night Poseidon must not have been happy with me. “Where’s that sacrificial horse I’m supposed to get in exchange for the fair...

Part 3 - Jun. 13th - Day 15 - The Okisollo Rapids

A few miles North of the Octopus Islands are the Okisollo Rapids where the northern shore of Quadra Island pushes up against Sonora...

Part 3 - Jun. 12th - Day 14

Last night I noticed that my two gear carrying bags had ripped. That really bothered me. I had purchased them for the journey around...