It has been a while since I had anything interesting to post about, but I thought I would share some pictures of a recent kayak camping trip to Nootka Sound. My friend Mick invited me to come with him and his son Tristan on a winter adventure during a period of unusually stable weather. He lent me a single kayak and he and Tristan paddled the double
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| Packed for departure from Mick's family home in Gold River |
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| We accessed Nootka Sound via the village of Tahsis - an hour or two's drive (depending how careful you are to avoid the potholes and ice) from Gold River |
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| There is some lovely scenery on the way to Tahsis including this logging camp at Head Bay on Nootka Sound |
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| The drive in passes ponds and mountains |
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| We launched at the boat ramp in Tahsis. It took a bit of persuading to get these two to pose for the camera |
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| Amongst our provisions were a few bottles of home brew to share |
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| Paddling toward the ocean from Tahsis, the water was remarkably still. We saw a sea otter very close to the village and many over-wintering waterfowl |
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| Mick and Tristan take a break from paddling the big heavy double |
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| We paddled down Tahsis inlet and then turned into the narrows that lead to Hecate Channel. We took a break here for a snack and a stretch. |
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| Map of our route. Tahsis (upper right) and the approximate location of our camps are shown as blue dots |
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| Tristan and Mick off the religious centre of Esperanza. See this link for more details. |
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| A boom protects the water from diesel spilling from this abandoned fishing boat |
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| Mick scouts out a campsite. This location did not have enough room for two tents |
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| Our first night'c camp. Access was a bit tricky with slippery rock shelves to walk across and a bit of tidal surge to make loading and unloading interesting |
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| Tristan gets things sorted out for supper |
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| The next morning we heard a funny chittering sound and came across a large flock of sand pipers of some sort. We also began to see more sea otters amongst the swell and kelp where they get their meals |
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| I explore a sea cave |
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| Mick and Tristan check out a blow hole. A few minutes later a large swell swept in and they took quite a bit of salty water on board! |
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| We entered Queens Cove - a lagoon at the entrance to Port Eliza |
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| The contrast between the swells outside in Esperanza Inlet and the mirror calm in the lagoon was remarkable |
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| Our second campsite in Port Eliza was the best of the three. We had a gentle beach and enough room to flatten out a campsite above that day's high tide |
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| There was also some walking/rock scrambling nearby to let us stretch our legs |
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| Mick and Tristan heading up to get a view up the inlet |
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| Peaceful view towards Esperanza inlet from a hill near our second camp |
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| The next day we double back to Espinosa inlet after a quick paddle up Port Eliza. We arrived around dusk and had to use headlamps to set up camp |
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| We reorganized the food and gear on day four because I needed to get home to do some work, while Mick and Tristan would stay out a few more days |
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| On the way back to Tahsis I saw this supply barge heading to Zeballos with a cement mixer on board. The fog came and went and I had to navigate via my phone's chart plotter at times. |
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| I took one break at a river mouth to fill a water bottle |
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| Heading back up Tahsis inlet with Tahsis in the distance |
I really enjoyed this trip. I have done very little kayak camping on this coast and spending time out in this amazing area with Mick and Tristan opened my eyes. I hope to get out here again soon!
