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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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