How to Get There with map
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In 1994, my outdoor adventures changed for all time when I made my first ocean kayaking trip. I'd chatted with 'yakers during chance meetings when I'd been on backpacking trips. It was obvious they didn't suffer blisters, bad knees or scratched up legs. Sitting snugly all day untormented by bugs or branches seemed very appealing. On my first trip to Clayoquot, an old timer hypothesized that 'a kayak is the lazy man's backpack'. I've never proved him wrong. I take all I need and a few extras without worrying about weight.
In 2002 I bought a Big Kahuna folding kayak from Feathercraft in Vancouver BC. I've never looked back. It's light and packable but holds 300 pounds. In backpacking terms that allows me 120 pounds of gear, about 3 times more than I enjoy carrying on my back.
| Clayoquot Sound 1994 |
This was my first week-long
kayak adventure. I had a few practice paddles in a local lake,
then off to Tofino where we picked up rental kayaks and set off to the
huge
Clayoquot Sound wilderness area. The trip was a wonderful
collection
of unforgettable highs but also presented many learning experiences.
I'll
never forget my first attempts at launching into
a gentle surf or fumbling on the beach with what seemed like a
million
small packages each time I packed my boat. My body has never
forgotten
the challenge of learning how to get in. How to Get There with map |
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| Clayoquot Sound 1996 |
With nothing but great memories from our
previous trip, the same group of four set out for more adventures in
Clayoquot.
This time we reached the famous "Hot Springs Cove". The
picture
on the right is our favourite island of solid sand we christened
"Little
Hawaii". This trip also sloshed a little rain our way and gave us
indecision at the beginning. Read
"Surf
Fishing" and "Tofino on Saturday" |
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| Johnston Strait 1998 |
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| Haida Gwaii 2000 |
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| Broken
Islands 2002 |
This group of tiny islands lie inside the mouth
of Barkley Sound along the west side of Vancouver Island. The
area is huge, the campsites plentiful and water usually calm.
Some of the view will take your breath away. I've linked to
the left with a wonderful set of photos. |
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| Rideau Canal
2003 |
This was a trip of a very different kind.
A chain of lakes and narrow canals carved about 1830 connect
Ottawa with Kingston Ontario. The distance of 120 miles passes
shorelines filled with summer cottages, boat docks, farms and towns.
Wilderness this is not! But if a cooling swim every day and
camping on manicured lawns near washrooms sounds appealing this is for
you. It was a great nine days! |
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| Missouri River 2005 |
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