[Paddlewise] West Side of Queen Charlotte Islands

Gary Doran said:

>>We three experienced paddlers are planning a trip from Skidegate to
Anthony Island in September, 2000.>>

Gee Gary, I didn't know you were on Paddlewise. I better be careful what I
say about things in and around Victoria and down at Ocean River Sports
where you do some teaching!!!!

>> We've looked at charts and sources for weather information, including
Sailing Directions for the area.  The question was raised, "Would it be
possible to make this a round trip by paddling on the west side of Moresby
Island"? >>

I'm planning to circumnavigate the north island in August, rather than do
the whole thing at once. I'll be doing the south island (Moresby, etc) the
following year to allow family holiday time too. I would plan to do a
southward paddle so as to avail oneself to the Northwesterlies. Be prepared
for lots of rain and generally damp weather. September may also get a major
big blow or two. I have not been to the Charlottes yet, but I did attend a
slide show  a decade or two ago by Prof. Wayne Hack from Portland. He was
the first person to solo-circumnavigated the entire chain in a modern
fiberglass sea kayak. He had no hatches - just a bomb-proof kevlar kayak
with slide-out floatation/gear bags. His pictures of the South Morseby west
coast were dank and dismal. Though there was lots of swell, to be sure,
most problematic was the constant 35 knot chop which is always at the limit
for most paddlers. There were narrow windows of weather opportunity.
Camping was terrible. Even down the inlets, there are few landing spots or
camping type sites. He would sometimes spend days confined to rocky ledges
just above the highest surges, soaking and cold. His toe-nail rotted off on
one foot - charming pictures! He was on edge all the time, and the surf was
huge on some days, making for difficult passage, even two miles out to sea
from the cliffs. When he did get in close, he could see huge tree trunks
lodged in crevices over a hundred feet up the cliffs. The west coast of the
Queen Charlotts is the highest energy coastline in North America. A
challenge yes; doable, certainly; a vacation, depends on your definition.

When I do the south island, it will be done light and fast, with no one
else to slow me down. If you are travelling in a group, count on having
your average speed drop by .20 of a knot for each paddler on the trip -
yes, the more paddlers, the slower it gets. Its empirical, but don't ask me
for proof! :-)

>> We recognize that there can be serious sea conditions there and the
coastline is exposed; however, we were wondering if any members of the list
have first hand
experience paddling on the west side of Moresby Island?  If so, could
you enlighten us.Many thanks,Gary Doran Victoria, Canada>>

Good to hear from you via PW. I know I have a reputation in Victoria, but
Paddlewise has been a Godsend to me this past couple of years in term of
safety, risk management, technique, and boat/equipment issues. Lots of
small-talk at times, but that merely indicates the friendly e-mail
environment here. Hey, useless winter for storms this year - oh well, maybe
next winter!

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd
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