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From: Robert MacDonald <RMacDonald_at_udl.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Public Transport on Haida Gwaii
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 09:27:03 -0700
Actually, public transport is great.  It is just kind of informal.  Hang out your thumb, and you will get there, kayaks and gear and all.  Even the cab driver picks up hitchhikers - or he did, in 1994.

It is a wonderful place, and not just for the incredible natural beauty.  

Have fun.

Rob.
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From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Public Transport on Haida Gwaii
Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2003 14:35:47 -0400
On 2 Jul 2003 at 9:27, Robert MacDonald wrote:

> Actually, public transport is great.  It is just kind of informal. 

Someone mentioned car rentals.  When I was there in '91, a car from 
one of the majors (Budget and Hertz were the only ones) was C$65 per 
day with no free km - you paid $0.25 per km for every km.  However, I 
found a local garage that would rent me a car for $65 per day with 
unlimited km.  It was a late '70's Chevy Citation with one and a half 
rear view mirrors, a passenger door held closed with a wire clothes 
hangar, notable list to starboard etc.   Kind of informal, too!

I'd still like to do Gwaii Hannas with just a kayak & gear.  Take it 
with me on the train from Toronto to Vancouver, then by ferry to 
Prince Rupert and than to Skidigate.  Island hop to the southern 
islands, past Sandspit and on to the normal kayak destinations.  
Return the same way.  That's a 5-6 week trip.  I'd only need a lift 
from my home to the railway station and between the railway station 
and the ferry terminal in Van.

Mike
PS My condolences to the paddlers in BC.  Now that you've got the 
Olympics in 2010, you'll find out what real taxation is like.


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From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Public Transport on Haida Gwaii
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 17:06:24 -0700
Michael Daly" <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com> wrote:

>>On 2 Jul 2003 at 9:27, Robert MacDonald wrote:

> Actually, public transport is great.  It is just kind of informal.

Someone mentioned car rentals.  When I was there in '91, a car from
one of the majors (Budget and Hertz were the only ones) was C$65 per
day with no free km - you paid $0.25 per km for every km.  However, I
found a local garage that would rent me a car for $65 per day with
unlimited km.>>

Things have changed quite a bit since Robert and Michael were there.  In 1996
we paid CDN$28 __each way__ from the Moresby side ferry terminal to Sandspit
on Bruce's taxi (the only choice):  two hardshell kayaks and two of us.  The
taxi operator had no clue on how to transport yaks, and no gear to attach to
his van.  We did not try to hitch, but that might still work.  It is a pretty
informal place, but changing in response to "hardening" of attitudes towards
folks from outside, perhaps due to the steep decline in income-producing
industry there.

In 2000, Bruce's Taxi was essentially the same.  In addition, getting to the
principal launch point Moresby Camp) will cost bigger bucks.

Camping in GH is way more restricted than it was in 1998, and probably more
restricted now than it was in 2000.  Contacting Parks Canada will get you the
official rules, fees, restrictions, etc.

My best source of on-the-ground authoritative info is still Doug Gould
(Moresby Explorers):  dgmorex_at_mail.island.net

Again, I am not affiliated with Doug's business, just a very satisfied
customer.  He is the most enlightened redneck logger I know, and he
understands the Charlottes scene:  the way it really works, Parks Canada
literature notwithstanding.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR

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