Re: [Paddlewise] Spanish Victoria

Mike wrote: AFAIK, they primarily used dugouts based on the huge trees from 
the 
boreal rain forests of the Pacific Northwest.  There were some canoes
made from bark - sturgeon-nosed and others - but I'm not sure if they
were coastal or inland.

Actually, in this range of latitude boreal forests begin inland, farther to 
the north, and are characterized by intermittent stands of forest and tundra, 
until all becomes tundra past the arctic circle. Coastal Alaska, west and 
north of the Aleutians begin stands of typical boreal forest. Tree species 
from east to west include: red spruce, balsam fir, eastern hemlock, white 
pine, aspen and black and white spruce. 
Paddlers point of view: Slave Lake, Boundary lakes, Hudson Bay, Gulf of Saint 
Lawrence, Wood Tikchik (AK).

Along the coastline, the temperate rainforest is typified by extensive 
rainfall and an unusually mild maritime climate extending north as far as 
Juneau, Alaska. The Japanese or Kyushu current brings mild humid air from the 
south and central pacific eastward. (But you still need a dry suit).

This is the forest that gets all the press with its huge red and yellow 
cedar, western hemlock and sitka spruce. The larger trees occuring in the 
southern range. Great stands of douglas fir often occupy the interior of 
islands or mainland forest sites. Not all is rainforest, that definition, 
strictly speaking is reserved for forests receiving over 100 inches of rain 
annually, are typically westward facing, thus assuring continual supply of 
wet pacific weather. The classic definition includes other areas near 
rainforest that dry up a bit more but still retain similar characteristics of 
wet temperate forest. Paddlers point of view: WA Olympic Coastline, Western 
Vancouver Island coastline, Central and Northern British Columbia Coastline, 
Alaska ( Icy Strait to Ketchikan). To see the largest trees paddle up a river 
valley and walk. Leeward forests are often weather beaten and not as sizable 
until inland enough to shelter from worst of weather.

The locals would select a suitable tree, most often cedar, fell it, burn it 
out and ply all the inland and coastal waters of the PNW. The Haida were well 
known among other tribes for paddling from the Gwai Haanas (Queen Charlottes) 
as far south as the San Juan Islands. And we thought we were cool crossing 3 
or 4 miles, island to island. Try 50 miles of Hecate strait, or north to 
Dixon entrance. Of course, they had many paddlers per canoe so that a full 
time bailer was often employed. People that paddle here are very lucky as the 
northwest coastline is quite simply one of the most beautiful and diverse 
pieces of land and seascape on earth, (though you should always wear your pfd 
and immersion apparel). 

No I'm not a travel agent or guide,

Rob G


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