Sunday, August 11, 2013

Scenes at the Tofino Dock on a Rainy May Day

A rainy day in May at Tofino (2013-05-27)

Enjoy this trip report in pictures!

Wet, rainy dock in Tofino (or any place Wet Coast BC)
Wet, rainy dock in Tofino (or any place Wet Coast BC)




Across the water, Opitsaht... a community of the Tla-o-qui-aht people of the Nuu-chah-nulth nation, located at the SW end of Meares Island
Across the water, Opitsaht...
a community of the Tla-o-qui-aht people of the Nuu-chah-nulth nation,
located at the SW end of Meares Island



Does it get any more WEsT Coast than this?
Does it get any more WEsT Coast than this?


A touch of colour on an otherwise grey day in Tofino
A touch of colour on an otherwise grey day in Tofino




Quintessential West Coast
Quintessential West Coast



Mountains, shrouded in mist
Mountains, shrouded in mist


Thanks for the visit!


Saturday, August 10, 2013

Kayaking the Flat Top Islands out of Silva Bay on Gabriola Island

(NOTE: The blog is called Vancouver Island in Pictures. This post is about the Flat top Islands off Silva Bay, on Gabriola Island. I choose to interpret "Vancouver Island" rather broadly. My assumption is, if the residents of a Gulf Island are served by one or more of the four post secondary institutions located on Vancouver Island, then that's good enough for me. I too will consider these islands as part of Vancouver Island.)

Before kayaking at some new location, I find it useful to determine what launching will be like. Thus, I occasionally deliberately scout out potential locations. At other times I keep a look out for possible sites. So it was as Hanne and I were driving along North Road after a nice lunch at Silva Bay Marina.
Small gap in the bushes off Westgyle Road;  good enough to launch a kayak
Small gap in the bushes off Westgyle Road;
good enough to launch a kayak
Out of the corner of my eye, looking down Westgyle Road, I spotted a couple of kayakers pulling two kayaks out of what seemed like bushes. This called for further investigation. It turned out that there was a small gap in the bushes, leading to a gravel beach. Beyond a narrow strip of gravel, punctuated by the occasion log, lay a few meters of mucky, low tide sludge. 





The kayakers assured me that this was a good place to launch a kayak. It looked good to me. They also extolled the merits of kayaking around the Flat Top Islands.


The “launch” requires pulling the kayak down what must be about a 45-degree incline over mostly dried mud and some rather smooth roots The shore itself is coarse gravel for about 5 meters, followed by “muck”. More on that later
The “launch” requires pulling the kayak down
what must be about a 45-degree incline over
mostly dried mud and some rather smooth roots
The shore itself is coarse gravel for about 5 meters,
followed by “muck”

Perfectly calm in even the stormiest weather, they said. I promised myself to come back to give it a try.

In July of 2010 Britta and I set out for Gabriola Island. After catching the ferry from Nanaimo and a little breakfast in downtown Gabriola, we arrive at our launch site at Silva Bay. It was a “lowish” tide. More on that later.

We launched without incident and started our leisurely paddle away from the shore.  Before leaving home, I'd taken out the charts we needed. And promptly left them in the living room. We were now “navigating” by the Chamber of Commerce map we picked up at the ferry terminal. Generally, that's not good practice.

Check out the last picture in this post to see why checking tide tables and checking potential launching sites at all possible tides is a good idea.

Enjoy our story in pictures:



While I schlepped the kayak to the water's edge, Britta waited at the bottom of the 7 meter slope with the kayaking paraphernalia
While I schlepped the kayak to the water's edge, 
Britta waited at the bottom of the 7 meter slope 
with the kayaking paraphernalia

AD AD
Having rounded Law Point,  we hug the Gabriola Island shore.  We can't tell if this route will take us into a bay,  or if there's a gap ahead
Having rounded Law Point,
we hug the Gabriola Island shore.
We can't tell if this route will take us into a bay,
or if there's a gap ahead







Is this a bay, or can we get out?
Turns out, there's a gap ahead (Lily Island to the right)

Along the Gabriola shore, the characteristic sandstone; this time with cannonball-sized holes. Perhaps where concretions dropped out over time
Along the Gabriola shore, the characteristic sandstone; 
this time with cannonball-sized holes. 
Perhaps where concretions dropped out over time

Through the gap, and  straight ahead lies Carlos Island
Through the gap, and
straight ahead lies Carlos Island

A yellow kayak (not ours) on Carlos Island
A yellow kayak (not ours) on Carlos Island

Beautiful milky-coloured ground (plenty of broken clam and oyster shells) beneath the water off Carlos Island
Beautiful milky-coloured ground (plenty of broken clam and oyster shells) beneath the water off Carlos Island

Little bay on eastern shoreline of Vance Island beckons to be explored
Little bay on eastern shoreline of Vance Island beckons to be explored

Looking past Gaviola Island (Rowboat Point) into the Strait of Georgia *   **
Looking past Gaviola Island (Rowboat Point) into the Strait of Georgia




From the southern shore of Acorn Island, we look west, past Shipyard Rock, and into Silva Bay
From the southern shore of Acorn Island, we look west,
past Shipyard Rock, and into Silva Bay


Britta noted a distinct fishy odour about.  Seal poop? Seal breath? Who knows?
Britta noted a distinct fishy odour about. 
Seal poop? Seal breath? Who knows?


Upon leaving our seal friends, we paddled over to Bath and Saturnina Islands (three kayaks and people enjoying lunch on the tombolo)
Upon leaving our seal friends, we paddled over to Bath and 

Saturnina Islands (three kayaks and people enjoying lunch on the tombolo)

Seals watch us drift by; an Oyster Catcher  takes care of business in the background
Seals watch us drift by; an Oyster Catcher 
takes care of business in the background

Cute cabin on the shores of Sear Island

The captain's chair on Tugboat Island
The captain's chair on Tugboat Island


A narrow gap will lead us into the Silva Bay anchorage
A narrow gap will lead us into the Silva Bay anchorage

Silva Bay Shipyard School.
Silva Bay Shipyard School

As we pull the kayak through the muck, Britta feels a tiny crab in her shoe. She screams. The next time we look, this deer is gone
As we pull the kayak through the muck, Britta feels a tiny crab in her shoe.
She screams. The next time we look, this deer is gone!

This picture gives only a partial indication of what distance we had to pull the kayak. There was no thought, ever, of carrying it, as we would have sunk too deeply into the mud!
This picture gives only a partial indication of what distance we
had to pull the kayak. There was no thought, ever,
of carrying it, as we would have sunk too deeply into the mud!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

MV Frances Barkley from Alberni to Sechart (2009-07-06)

Today's Vancouver Island post features pictures of a short cruise on the MV Frances Barkley from Port Alberni to Sechart. Enjoy the picture book.


We arrive early (too early, actually) so as not to miss  the sailing of the MV Frances Barkley
We arrive early (too early, actually) so as not to miss
the sailing of the MV Frances Barkley (2009-07-06)



This odd-looking building is where the  MV Frances Barkley is loaded (2009-07-06)
This odd-looking building is where the
MV Frances Barkley
 is loaded (2009-07-06)



All aboard! (I know, that's really railroad talk)  the MV Frances Barkley (2009-07-06)
All aboard! (I know, that's really railroad talk)
the MV Frances Barkley
 (2009-07-06)



Our trusty ship, the MV Frances Barkley,  stilled tied up in Port Albrni (2009-07-06)
Our trusty ship, the MV Frances Barkley, 
still tied up in Port Alberni (2009-07-06)




MV Frances Barkley bridge  (2009-07-06)
MV Frances Barkley bridge (2009-07-06)
MV Frances Barkley  loading gear (2009-07-06)
MV Frances Barkley
loading gear 
(2009-07-06)
MV Frances Barkley  galley (2009-07-06)
MV Frances Barkley
galley 
(2009-07-06)
MV Frances Barkley major  freight on this trip(2009-07-06)
MV Frances Barkley major
freight on this trip
(2009-07-06)
Inside the MV  Frances Barkley (2009-07-06)
Inside the MV
Frances Barkley 
(2009-07-06)



This may be Port Alberni, but this is about as "anywhere" West Coast  British Columbia as it gets (2009-07-06)
This may be Port Alberni, but this is about as "anywhere" West Coast
British Columbia as it gets 
(2009-07-06)



The MV Frances Barkley heads
down the Alberni Channel 
(2009-07-06)



On the MV Frances Barkley: Oma enjoying wind, waves, and scenery
On the MV Frances Barkley: Oma enjoying wind, waves, and scenery (2009-07-06)

From the MV Frances Barkley: Sport fishing and kayaking, but there's still real work to be done on this coast... (hopefully)
From the MV Frances Barkley: Sport fishing and kayaking, 
but there's still real work to be done on this coast... (hopefully) (2009-07-06)

From the MV Frances Barkley: just a few of the hundreds of sports fisher out on this day
From the MV Frances Barkley: just a few of the 
hundreds of sports fisher out on this day (2009-07-06)

From the MV Frances Barkley: on the west shore of Alberni Inlet, an RV campsite and marina at China Creek
From the MV Frances Barkley: on the west shore of Alberni Inlet, 
an RV campsite and marina at China Creek (2009-07-06)

From the MV Frances Barkley: Franklin River sawmill
From the MV Frances Barkley: Franklin River sawmill (2009-07-06)

From the MV Frances Barkley: approaching the Mactush campground
From the MV Frances Barkley: approaching the Mactush campground (2009-07-06)

From the MV Frances Barkley: just when we thought we were in completely wild territory, we're surprised to see very civilized housing
From the MV Frances Barkley: just when we thought we were in completely 
wild territory, we're surprised to see very civilized housing (2009-07-06)

An overcast day but, if you're a true "Coast Head", this is the scenery that's "in your blood"
An overcast day but, if you're a true "Coast Head", 
this is the scenery that's "in your blood" (2009-07-06)

The MV Frances Barkley nudges against the dock at Sechart, where the bulk of our fellow passengers will disembark for a few days of kayaking (LUCKY SOULS!!)
The MV Frances Barkley nudges against the dock at Sechart, where the bulk of 
our fellow passengers will disembark for a few days of kayaking (LUCKY SOULS!!)

The MV Frances Barkley docked at Sechart
The MV Frances Barkley docked at Sechart (2009-07-06)
*

Incinerator Beach at Long Beach (Tofino)

Incinerator Beach is located at the northern end of Pacific Rim National Park and is thus the park beach  closest to the village of Tofino.

Incinerator Beach with Lovekin Rock in the distance
Incinerator Beach with Lovekin Rock in the distance (2013-07-12)
Located 32 kilometres from the Highway 4 T-intersection (the Tofino-Ucluelet junction) but only 16 kilometres from Tofino, Incinerator Beach seems busier than other beaches in the park. This may be due to it's proximity to the village, or the fact that it appears to be favoured by surfers and those who like to watch their pursuits. In fact, we first visited Incinerator Beach after we had inquired in Tofino about where we might observe the most surfing activity.

Incinerator Beach; favoured by surfers
Incinerator Beach; favoured by surfers (2013-07-12)
Incinerator Rock is a section of beach - the northern end of Long Beach - rather than a beach on its own. It makes up the northern end of Long Beach, and is a favorite of local surfers. Incinerator Beach provides plenty of opportunity to view surfers and also, if you hunt around, you might also find the occasional nooks and crannies ideal for reading or tanning. For photographers, an extra bonus  is the high rock that juts out into the water. A short hike up this rock rewards the photographer with great views of surf, sand, and surfers. 

Climb the rock for a better view of Incinerator Beach
Climb the rock for a better view of Incinerator Beach; 
Lovekin Rock in the distance (2013-07-12)
In earlier days, long before a paved highway was the primary means of transport, a footpath near Incinerator Beach connected a sheltered bay on the other side of Esowista Peninsula - the geographical feature defining this area around Tofino - to the wilder, surf-pounded Pacific shore.
Climb the rock for a better view  of the north end of Incinerator Beach
Climb the rock for a better view
 of the north end of Incinerator Beach (2013-07-12)
Thus, canoes were landed on the quiet mudflats in Grice Bay and a trail lead to the ocean. 



Incinerator Beach; a portion of Long Beach
Incinerator Beach; a portion of Long Beach (2013-07-12)