Rob Gendreau wrote: > I heard many complaints about the administration of the park from both > private paddlers and outfitters. I don't pretend to have run any > comprehensive survey, but rumor (or rumour, for our northern friends) > suggests getting a permit is well nigh impossible. I suggest you contact > Moresby Explorers about maybe hooking up through a spot in a commercial trip > or something. Or maybe they can arrange a trip for you on a permit they > might have. Actually, I was trolling for the experiences of other current Gwaii Haanas-visitor-wannabees to ship off to Parks. I've been in serious thrash mode with Parks and the reservations people for a couple months, so far. Per your remarks, permits this year for "independents" are impossible to get for August, **and were NEVER available from the beginning of the permit window (Feb 1).** Reason? Parks has a total quota for the season which they split equally between tour operators and independents. Sounds fair, no? Here's the rub: they allow tour operators to pick their quota dates FIRST (up to 175/day) and the rest of each day's quota is left to independents. Result? No room in the inn during the best time: early August. Some room in July and of course lots in June. I've done three trips up there, and this is the worst it has ever been. BTW, the outfitter can not get reservations for you (Parks rules). Also, the outfitter I use (Moresby Explorers) dare not jeopardize his status with the Park by ferrying non-permitted passengers. I agree you never see a Parks person -- not once have I seen one in over five weeks on the water. Plenty in the visitor center, though. > It's a wonderful place. I can't help but think it's overmanaged, though. I > thought the place could've handled many more kayakers than I saw there when > I paddled there a few years ago. Agreed -- especially if they did not all paddle the same route. I put a bug in Parks ear this spring to go away from the "global" system they use to a regional one. This August, I plan to go in on a walk-in basis (6 per day allowed, first come, first served) and work out of a basecamp in Skincuttle Inlet, rather than do a point-to-point trip. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun May 02 1999 - 08:47:40 PDT
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