I am an experienced kayaker from CT going on a group trip (Tofino Tours) to the Park. I am taking the trip to scout out the area to return with a friend alone next year. Can anyone tell me about outfitting in Sandspit, and the ease or difficulty of yakking in the park? Tides? Wind? Waves? Protection? Campsites? We will go in summer between June and August. Has anyone taken a Tofino Tour? They are based in Seattle, and use doubles for all their trips, so they can be "a little more agressive" with the less experienced paddlers. Thanks, Jody Hotchkiss *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jody, Their are a number of outfitters in Sandspit, the main challenge seems to be one of obtaining a permit to visit the park (it seems that most of these are reserved for the guided trips). The only one (outfitter) that I have personal experience with are the Barans of the Kayak Rack and I'm not sure if they are still in the business - they mainly catered to group tours for organizations such as the boy scouts, etc.. Their telephone number is 250-637-2231. Good Luck - Saul -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Jodyhotch_at_aol.com Sent: Monday, August 02, 1999 6:55 PM To: Paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: [Paddlewise] Kayaking Gwaii Haanas National Park I am an experienced kayaker from CT going on a group trip (Tofino Tours) to the Park. I am taking the trip to scout out the area to return with a friend alone next year. Can anyone tell me about outfitting in Sandspit, and the ease or difficulty of yakking in the park? Tides? Wind? Waves? Protection? Campsites? We will go in summer between June and August. Has anyone taken a Tofino Tour? They are based in Seattle, and use doubles for all their trips, so they can be "a little more agressive" with the less experienced paddlers. Thanks, Jody Hotchkiss *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jodyhotch_at_aol.com wrote: > > I am an experienced kayaker from CT going on a group trip (Tofino > Tours) to the Park. I am taking the trip to scout out the area to return > with a friend alone next year. > Can anyone tell me about outfitting in Sandspit, and the ease or > difficulty of yakking in the park? Tides? Wind? Waves? Protection? Campsites? > We will go in summer between June and August. Jody, I've done three separate independent trips in the Charlottes, two of them two weeks in duration. If you are already experienced *at multi-day trips,* I'd suggest skipping the outfitter and going with the friend your first shot out. The "popular" area in GH is on the east side of Moresby Island, and is largely "protected," with a few spots which are quite exposed to SE or NE winds/swell (both of these are rare -- prevailing wind/swell is from the W). Of course, larger waterways will build up a pretty good lump if the wind is from the SW or NW, also, so you will have to use your paddle-savviness! The primary shuttle service has a web site (Moresby Explorers: http://www.cybersurf.net/~Moresby/ ; and email: Doug Gould <dgmorex_at_mail.island.net>) and can fill you in on details of dropoff points, fees, etc. Saul Kinderis has already alluded to problems getting a permit if you are an independent. This is a *very* sore point with me, as I was completely frustrated in my efforts to get a permit for 1999 for my SO and I, even though I was experienced with Parks procedures, and started my queries in March 1999. Saul is correct: the mechanism Parks used in 1999 unfairly squeezed out independents from the "best" part of the summer. Email Anna Gajda of Parks Canada <bkcount_at_qcislands.net> for a preview of Parks plans for the summer of 2000. She is in charge of formulating and publicizing Parks back country management policies -- a big job, as she has to placate several constituencies, including the legitimate needs of outfitters. Anna is a terrific person, and helped me immensely. I think the long and short of it is that if you FIRST secure a permit for yourself and your friend, it is then easy it arrange transportation to the Charlottes and shuttle service -- subsequently. Email me directly if you want more info. The Park is a terrific place to paddle, and the folks in the Charlottes will work hard to make your paddle a memorable experience. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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