RE: [Paddlewise] Early planning for trip to PNW, Take Two

John,

I'd be inclined to either hit easy access areas for short duration stuff
with multiple exposures in the time you have (a sampling if you like) or
make the alternative decision to inundate yourself into some remote
excursion type trip for a week to 10 days - either choice is good, as both
have advantages depending on what you are looking for. You also need to
decide if you can afford wind-bound days and exposed coast complexities or
more sheltered locations. Anywhere that offers both of those things
conveniently juxtaposed tends to be busy July through the end of August
(Barkley Sound for example), with the other alternatives that offer both
needing some logistical planning (like Nootka Sound). For central access and
a exemplary experience, the Canadian of American Gulf Islands have a lot to
offer, albeit with moving current considerations needing to be accounted
for.

I'd offer to meet up with you "paddlewise" for an outing but I'm waiting for
an MRI in June to see if my severe stenosis is serious degenerative related
or more amenable to rest and better back care. No paddling for now though my
wife Yvonne wants to go paddling sometime this summer now that her tumors
are 100% shrunk (yeah!). Of course, her back is fractured in places from the
tumor damage, so maybe we'll join you, but in a double for us with maybe an
outboard motor. Don't mention crafty things, she won't want to go paddling.

Doug


JKA:, though my wife Yvonne

In my humble opinion, the place to paddle in the PNW is Vancouver Island.
The scenery and wildlife
are stunning, the camping is amazing, and the fishing used to be superb, and
might still be good in spots. Areas north of Vancouver Island along the
British Columbia coast might be even more spectacular, but access is a
problem, and you probably would need to take a ferry. There are very nice
guide books available in spades, and various local paddlers have a wealth of
knowledge. I'm sure people in Paddlewise will soon inundate you with tips
and information.
Amazon.com has had some
super guide books and waterproof chart books on sale, and free shipping to
Portland, Oregon, if not to NZ.

Brad Crain

On Tue, Apr 10, 2012 at 4:01 AM, John Kirk-Anderson <jka_at_snap.net.nz> wrote:

> Hi Folks,
>
> This is a request aimed at the paddlers from the Pacific North West.
>
> I'm looking to do a trip up there in late 2013, and I'm after 
> advice/suggestions on activities/locations/timings. Our timing window 
> is late August to November, with a period of about six weeks travelling.
>
> My thoughts at this stage are to spend a couple of weeks in the PNW 
> paddling, hopefully attend a symposium, and then be joined by my wife, 
> a non-paddler, for a few weeks in Canada, Alaska, and the northern US. 
> I'll then head home while she does crafty-type stuff in the US south 
> west. Our thinking is that way we can make the most of the seasons, 
> north and south, while not getting bored by the different things we do.
>
> To that end I've looked at symposiums around the Seattle area, but 
> they seem few these days. Gary Jacek in Vancouver has offered to show 
> me his part of the world but I'm hoping for other's suggestions on 
> places to go/things to do.
>
> I know it's a long way off, but time flys so I need to start planning.
>
> Cheers
>
> JKA
>
> John Kirk-Anderson
>
> Banks Peninsula
> New Zealand
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************