[Paddlewise] Advice for Weak Paddlers in Kyuquot Sound?

Dave asked:
>A long-time buddy of mine and his wife are planning a several-day trip in
their double within Kyuquot Sound on Vancouver Island, enroute to a
rendezvous at the community of Kyuquot with an outfitter who will ferry them
and their double to the Bunsbys.  The outfitter will also ferry them and
their boat back, to Fair Harbour, I think.<

A double is good. But dump a double in rough water and, well, you know...two
water-logged cockpits for the price of one.

>They are weak paddlers in strength, though he is a seasoned mariner, and
has reasonably decent judgment.<

That helps. It can get might foggy in and around Union Island. Paddlers have
got lost for partial days and even more in this area. Inlet paddling is okay
in term of hazards, but watch for outflow winds in morning against strong
flood. Boring paddling in here. Vehicle security can be an issue at
Fairharbour. The entire section from Clerke Point (Brooks) to Rugged Point
(south of Kyuquot Channel) is just a day trip for me, but the abundance of a
viable population of Sea Otters makes it all worth while. Please advise your
friends if they do go to be respectful of all First nation requirements and
sites. Gaining permission for certain areas should be done prior to heading
up. Send me either your address or your friends and I'll send a brochure on
the area.

>Because of their weaker paddling strength, and so they can explore some of
the less-visited areas of the Sound, they plan to take three days to make
the Fair Harbour - Kyuquot stretch.  They have asked me to query the group
for advice:<

>1. Is paddling in the Bunsbys a bad idea for them?<

Generally no, especially with a water-taxi ride in and out. Bunsbys per se
are fairly benign. The section between McLean Island and Malksope Point can
be both overestimated ("Hey man, this is a mill pond today, what's the
fuss?" to "Holy crud, this is damn jobbly water!"

>2. Are there difficult passages getting to Kyuquot?  In particular, is
there any substantial current in Crowther Channel (separates Surprise Island
and Union Island)?  [They recognize that the outside of Union Island is
exposed, and not a good place for them.]

3. And, is the stretch behind Amos and Rolston Islands leading to Kyuquot
protected, or is it subject to difficult swell and/or wind waves?<

Just remind them that the open stretch can be truly open as above comments
suggest. Saturday's marine report was the usual, 25 knots by late afternoon,
one-meter swell. Then Sunday it went to 45 knots with 3- to 4-meter swell
building in afternoon. Yet North Brooks was milder in every respect. Anyway,
McLean Island can get lumpy with a 4-meter swell and whitecaps. Just look at
the bathymetry. The wind can funnel in and accelerate through the pass
between Spring Island and McLean. I know, 'cause I only paddle here in these
conditions. But I've heard it can be safe and boring too. :-)

>These folks have done little paddling on exposed waters, and while their
navigation skills are good, I fear their inability to muscle up when needed
may lead them to grief.<

How about South Nootka? Bligh Island and the Spanish Pilot Group make for
great paddling. There's water taxi availability, a ferry, Friendly Cove,
inter-island camping, and the presence of other paddlers which may be a good
thing for newer paddlers to be around.

My 2 cents (always worth less by the time I get around making a post)

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC

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"Whatever can be said at all can be said clearly and whatever cannot be said
clearly should not be said at all."
Ludwig Wittgenstein
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