Blackberry Point (Valdes Island) - 5 days & 4 nights

The long weekend has come and gone and we had an amazing time paddling in the Gulf Islands on an extended kayak camping trip. Our original plans were to head to the Broken Group Islands but with the uncertainty of the launch location due to a contamination closure, we decided to join up with a bunch of local kayakers heading to Blackberry Point on Valdes Island.

Robyn and I had already planned on extending this weekend from Thursday to Monday so we were able to get a jump on the trip early Thursday morning. We loaded kayaks and gear onto the the truck and headed for the boat launch at Cedar By The Sea just south of Nanaimo. As expected the put in location was virtually empty and we took our time loading our kayaks with our provisions for the next 5 days.

With Round Island on the left, our kayaks are loaded and ready to start the paddle to Blackberry Point.  

The conditions were almost perfect at the time of launch with slightly overcast conditions, a gentle ebb current flowing towards our destination and no wind at all. We crossed Stuart Channel over to Link Island and then made our way through the 8 foot "Hole In The Wall" that separates Link and DeCourcy Islands. Taking the scenic route we paddled down the east side of DeCourcy and into Pirates Cove for a rest stop. A number of the tents sites at the camping area were already occupied but there were no boats, kayaks or people around. Only one of the residents was there to greet us as we paddled into the cove.

Working the rocky shore, "Rocky" looks for lunch as we paddle by into Pirates Cove.

After lunch we headed into uncharted waters, for us at least as we had never been beyond Ruxton Passage before on any of our trips. We continued down the east side of Ruxton, Whaleboat and Pylades Islands where the view of the cliffs of Valdes Island were spectacular.

Our first good look at the cliffs of Valdes Island

As we headed to the southern end of Pylades Island we were able to see the white shell beach of Blackberry Point almost 1.7 nm in the distance. Landing on the white shell beach after a lazy 2.5 hour paddle, there wasn't a soul to be seen and the whole camping area was ours to choose from. One of our goals that was set for us by Yves of Go Kayak was to claim the prime camp area for the other members of our group that would be arriving over the next couple of days.

Following the instructions that Yves passed onto us we claimed the area in the trees with the established campfire pit and cooking area right on the point. It was a good thing too as about 2 hours later 6 kayakers (ladies) from the lower mainland arrived with the intention of claiming the point but they chose the next best option which was the grassy meadow just around the corner from us. They did however get a prized table which we didn't know about ;-)

We spent the rest of the day setting up our camp and basked in the hot sun while we watched a Viking Air Twin Otter perform takeoff and landings right in front of our camp. The cool thing is that I actually made parts for that particular aircraft as it was sold to the Vietnam navy and their pilots were undergoing a rigorous training session on how to operate it in a float configuration. Throughout the weekend the Twin Otter came back a number of times in the various wind conditions that we experienced.

Just about to touchdown the Vietnam (Viking Air) Twin Otter lands in front of our camp.

We did get a visit from an interesting character which turned out to be Ed (not Crazy Pete) who is one of the self proclaimed caretakers of Valdes Island. Ed lives just north of the beach area in a float house all year round and he has been in the area since around 1968. Later in the day I managed to gather enough dry wood from the beach and light our first kayak camping fire ever while Robyn made our customary first night dinner of shredded pork, rice and peas. Earlier in the afternoon we had talked to the ladies over in the meadow and invited them to come and join us at the fire were we sat around almost until 11:00pm as the twilight turned into a starry night.

Our first sunset at Blackberry Point. Pylades Island with the tiny Tree Island just off to the left.

At around 1:00am I awoke to the distinctive sounds of two blow like rushes of air and as I lay there in my sleeping bag thought I could hear raindrops falling on our tent except .... it wasn't raining. I decided to get up and see what the sound was and when I walked down to the waters edge the absolutely flat windless ocean was alive with thousands upon thousands of fish jumping in the moonlight. My only thought was the blowing sound was a whale, porpoise or dolphin and the fish were being chased towards the beach. What a magical experience and no I wasn't dreaming :-)

2013 Paddle # 29 - Cedar to Blackberry Point

Distance:  14.85 km  (8.02 nm)

Friday was a down day as our group of kayakers arrived in various conditions of wind. Before they arrived Robyn and I did a little beachcombing towards Shingle Point in search of oysters. The Twin Otter returned almost like our own personal eye in the sky.

Single Point (IR) in the distance as Robyn searches for oysters

Unlike ourselves, most of our group made the direct crossing from Yellow Point or Ladysmith which normally would take about 1 hour. Of course the 10 to 15 knot SE winds had a bit to say in that as it added another 1/2 hour or so onto the crossing but everyone that was expected arrived safely. 

First to arrive was Yves and Patti followed by Peter and Hans about an hour later. Lynn chose a safer solo route from Cedar like we did but she got the full force of the SE head on all the way. Last to arrive was Joanne just before dusk after launching from Ladysmith.

Our little "town" of kayak campers tents starts to take shape.

I think the group was pleased to see that we the "Rookies" had secured the primo camp spot so that made us feel good that we had contributed in a little way. Lots of laughs and stories were shared around the campfire that night as we planned for Saturdays paddle into Porlier Pass.

Pete in his tent and full size lumberjack axe. Yes, he brought it inside his kayak!

Saturday morning we awoke to blustery conditions and so we decided to stand down for the day and not run through Porlier Pass. Tony and John arrived just before lunch and while they set up camp we (Yves, Patti, Hans, Jo, Lynn, Robyn and myself) set out to hike to the top of the cliffs that shadow the camp. Pete set a plan in motion to circumnavigate Valdes by heading through Porlier Pass and paddle up the east side of the island and return through Gabriola Passage.

On our way up the inner island logging road along came the one and only local Crazy Pete on his ATV and like a true caretaker he knew members of hiking party from previous visits. What a character as he called Hans the German and Yves "Frenchy" and talked about heading to Chemainus to pick up a new ATV. He gave us a few pointers on how to get to the look out on the cliff top and he roared off down the logging road on his ATV.

Crazy Pete heads off down the logging road

After a couple hours of hiking and bushwacking we made our way to the top of the cliff face and holy cow what a view from 416 feet high by Robyn's GPS. A little unnerving to say the least as it looked more like a 1000 feet from up there.

After a break we started our way back to camp and found the old growth fir tree that Crazy Pete had told us about. He said it was 70 feet high but my guess was that it was much higher than that.

The hiking party and Crazy Pete's fir tree.

Arriving back in camp it wasn't long before Aaron and Louise paddled in to complete our camp for the weekend. Robyn and I whipped up a batch of oysters pan fried with tabasco sauce and parmesan cheese for lunch. It wasn't long before Peter was spotted heading from Gabriola Passage about 1/2 hour earlier than anyone expected.

Yves took this picture of myself, Robyn, Hans, Jo, Pete, Lynn, Tony and Patti resting in the sun after lunch.

Chef Patti and her oysters

Happy hour got into full swing with Hans and Patti cooking oysters on the shell in the hot embers of the fire. Just as the sun started to settle down behind Pylades Island, Yves spotted the tell tail sign of Orcas blowing just off the island. We watched them play as they made their way into Trincomali Channel towards Thetis Island until they disappeared from view. Soooo cool!!

Sunday morning we awoke to breezy conditions but the forecast was for the winds to decrease so the group planned for a afternoon trip to see the Valdes cliffs up close. To pass the time away, Yves took a group of hikers to try and find the rumoured caves (and they found them) while Robyn, Lynn, Hans, John, Tony and myself hiked the logging road towards Porlier Pass looking for a vista viewpoint. After about an hour of hiking the girls spotted a clearing which gave us a view Yellow Point and the Mid Island Range.

Back at camp the group assembled on the beach for lunch and then we suited up for the paddle to the Valdes cliffs. Having never been to the cliffs before both Robyn and I were in awe of the sheer magnificence of what we were paddling next to. Pictures really don't do the rock formation justice in any way. It was simply stunning.

After visiting the cliffs Yves, Patti, myself, Peter and Aaron decided to make a run through Gabriola Passage and into Silva Bay as the current was nearing slack after the ebb. In the meantime Robyn, Lynn and Hans decided to head back to camp as we carried on. Gabriola Passage to me was surprisingly narrow but it was fun riding the back eddies and having to ferry across that last of the current. Arriving at Silva Bay brought back memories of last year when Robyn and I paddled the Flat Top Islands and it won't be long before we visit the area again as part of our "Haul In The Fall" trip

Patti, Aaron, Pete and Yves at Silva Bay

Riding back through Gabriola Passage on the last of the ebb was more of an assisted push and very predictable. I am looking forward to bring Robyn through the passes in the fall as they can be navigated around the slack currents without any difficulty. After a brief rest stop on Valdes, Pete and I decided to head back to camp on our own while Patti, Yves and Aaron made it a lazy paddle back to camp. Arriving about an hour before sunset I must admit that after a hike in the morning and an almost 15 nm paddle I was sore and exhausted.

2013 Paddle # 30 - Blackberry Point to Silva Bay Return

Distance:  27.73 km  (14.97 nm)

Monday morning we woke to overcast foggy conditions but with no wind. After spending 5 days and 4 nights at Blackberry Point we were sad to be leaving. After breakfast we started the dreaded dismantling of the camp and loading of the kayaks. At least it wasn't raining

Lynn decided to tag along with us on the paddle back to Cedar and by the time we were set to launch the fog had lifted. After saying our goodbyes with the rest of the campers it was time to let the flood currents assist us back towards Cedar.

Getting set to head out back to Cedar

But first we wanted to check out Whaleboat Island Marine Park to see if there was a landing area for kayaks. To our surprise and maybe not since nobody seemed to know about it, there wasn't any place to land a kayak. The island is simply a place for powerboats and sailboats to drop anchor for the evening.

Whaleboat Island on the right with its step shores not accessible for kayakers.

On the way back we decided to stop for a rest at the white shell spit on the northern end of Ruxton Island. Although the tide was up there was still some landing area for us to get out and stretch our legs.

Lynn and myself check out the "Mothership" looking boat from the white shell spit on Ruxton Island.

Robyn's Delta Expedition 15.5 mini van of a kayak. Man they haul a tons of gear!! 

Back on the water we crossed Ruxton Passage and headed up the west side of DeCourcy Island where we could really feel the effects of the flood current pulling us towards Dodd Narrows. With a fully loaded kayak this was a really welcome assist from our friend the ocean. We landed back at Cedar and our vehicles were safe and sound just like we had left them.

What a fabulous weekend to try our first extended kayak camping trip. Our preparations for food and water paid off as the provisions made it through the weekend with a couple of days back up rations. We can't wait to do this again! Oh yeah ..... the shower was amazing once we got home!

2013 Paddle # 31 - Blackberry Point to Cedar
Distance:  13.68 km  (7.38 nm)

YTD: 325.90 km (175.97 nm)

SISKA Pool Night, Practice Pays Off

Last night Robyn and I headed to the last SISKA Pool Night of the spring and worked on some elements by ourselves. Robyn took advantage of a Bracing clinic hosted by Dorothea Hoffman while I just took up some pool space and worked on my rolling. It was kinda weird not being with Robyn during the evening even though we were in the same pool, but every so often we smiled at each other. :-) 

My goals for the evening were to put more flow technique into my normal side roll using a euro paddle and then transition to my Greenland paddle. I think I spent more time upside down instead of right side up last night as I really focused on body position throughout the rolling sequence and tried to eliminate as much muscle power as possible. After feeling really good with my normal side roll, I found that I was able to use the same process on my OTHER side roll with success even though there might have been a little muscle help on that side.

The cool thing about a pool session is that it is a great opportunity to watch others working on elements and such was the case with James Manke who dropped in for the session. Sometimes all you need is to see how it's done properly in order to figure out how to do it yourself. I watched James like a hawk performing the Butterfly roll and decided to give it a go but I also focused on being more relaxed which worked great when sliding onto the back deck teetering between rolling back in the water or finishing the roll.

As the evening progressed, if I did happen to miss a other side or butterfly roll I simply repositioned myself and went to my normal side roll to recover. And then I got thinking ... what about a cowboy rescue for the first time?? What the heck I thought as I watched others working at them. Yeeehaaaa! Ride 'em cowboy

Man I was on a roll (pun) last night so I figured that why not try a re-entry rescue as well for the first time. Thinking my way through it I was able to wedge myself back into the overturned kayak and simply rolled myself back upright. Sweeeeeet!!!!

I'm beginning to like being underwater a lot :-)

Next Up: Robyn and I are heading to Blackberry Point for 4 nights on Thursday. There has been reports of lots of orca in the area so fingers crossed.

2013 Paddle # 28 SISKA Pool Night

Distance:  Absolutely 0 km  (Absolutely 0 nm)

YTD: 269.64 km (145.59 nm)

Workin' In The Bay

The start of an extremely busy month of kayaking for us, (wait a second, that is every month for us LOL) we decided to do a laid back paddle in Cowichan Bay with Sheila and Neil yesterday. For us living on the Saanich Peninsula there are several options to do this paddle including launching from Moses Point on the tip of the peninsula, crossing Saanich Inlet / Satellite Channel and then hugging the shoreline into Cowichan Bay. 

As always the weather forecast plays an important role in our decision making process and with the predicted SE 10-15 knot winds we decided to drive over the Malahat to Cherry Point and put in there. Arriving at Cherry Point about an hour after the 2.3 ft. low tide, the distance to carry our kayaks to the water was still several hundred feet and the SE wind was creating a bit of choppy conditions. Did we want to work this much on a laid back paddle? Heck no!! So we decided to just drive up to Cowichan Bay and put in there.

Closing my new Watershed man purse at the boat launch. The first leg of this paddle
would be a long one .... to the yellow building with the red roof behind Sheila. LOL

Launching out of the CVRD boat launch we headed over (maybe 100 meters? LOL) to Cowichan Bay Kayaks to check out the shop and touch base with Huw Jones and Dave Nichols. We first met Dave on our Ukee weekend and have been intrigued ever since with their little kayaking business ever since. Situated right in the heart of the tourist destination of Cowichan Bay, the business has transformed into a really professional operation with a great inventory of kayaking gear and I think the first dedicated showroom for kayak sales that I have seen. They are also making a name for themselves when it comes to tours and lessons with their personal "have fun while doing it" approach. If you are ever in Cowichan Bay you have to stop by and see what Huw and Dave have put together. As one of their slogans say "Nice people to paddle with"

Heading back onto the water for the laid back paddle we headed towards the Westcan Terminal dock where a couple of relics, one being what looked to like a paddle wheeler were tied up along with the Canadian Coast Guard Polar Prince. Paddling our way through the maze of pilings of the dock we made to the other side and through the log booms close by.






As Dave had mentioned, there was a colony of seals that call the logs home but they were in the water all around us today. It was also the first time that Robyn and I got to see Osprey and were lucky enough to watch one hunting as it dove completely under water after a fish.

Leaving the nest an Osprey flies over head to check us out.

Ready to make the plunge into the water for dinner an Osprey starts to fold it's wings. So cool to watch!

Hugging the shoreline we paddled into picturesque Genoa Bay where we found a floating gallery shop, a bunny rabbit living on the deck of a houseboat and one of those whale sculptures that we have seen around Victoria. 

As we made our way around the marina and towards the opposite side of the bay it started to rain  creating such an amazing tranquillity that is hard to explain. For Robyn and I we have only encountered this once before during the winter but today the rain was warm, soothing and such a pleasure to paddle in. Really quite a beautiful moment for us.

Robyn, always with a smile in her kayak. 

We made the crossing of Cowichan Bay as the early evening sun started to show itself in the direction of our put in location. It was sort of like a beacon telling us which way to paddle home .

Neil, me and Sheila heading towards our put in location in Cowichan Bay

Arriving back at the CVRD boat launch, Dave arrived after closing up the shop for the day and joined us for a pint at the Bay Pub before we headed back to Victoria. We definitely have to return back to explore this area at some time during the summer. Maybe even take some of the Cowichan Bay Kayaks demos out for a test run. Wink, Wink CBK ;-)

UPDATE: 

At the request of our readers, here is a picture of the bunny living on a float home in Genoa Bay. See ... pretty cute huh?

2013 Paddle # 27 Cowichan Bay

Distance:  12 km  (6.48 nm)

YTD: 269.64 km (145.59 nm)

Go Kayak In The Pool

Taking a day off from being on the ocean it was time to work on some rolling elements with Yves of Go Kayak this evening. It was more of a fine tuning session as Robyn wanted to tweak her normal side roll while I wanted to establish my other side roll.

Arriving at the Crystal Pool at 6:00 pm in the late afternoon heat wave we were wondering why we were going inside instead of playing in the sunshine. The reason is pretty simple ... we booked our rolling session about a month ago and everyone knows that the weatherman can't forecast very well that far ahead in time.

Yves went to work on Robyn's "tweaking" and although there are a few elements that needed a bit of attention she is almost there on her normal side rolls. A few fitting adjustments in her boat allowed her to hip snap better and I could see progress as the session went on. Robyn was feeling a little frustrated at herself on the way home but I reminded her that this session was only the second time she had not used a paddle float. Sometimes it just takes a little bit longer but it will come.

As for me .... well it took a bit but I think I have the mechanics of my OTHER side roll now embedded in my noggin. Sure I missed a whole bunch of the other side rolls but I even managed to recover on my normal side a few times. Then there were those moments of everything coming together and I managed to bang off a few with just a little head assistance (2 %) LOL from Yves. It really was quiet simple when I relaxed, didn't think and went with the flow of the hip snap.

Overall, a really good session in the pool with Yves and we are looking forward to our next pool session next weekend with SISKA. Robyn will be participating in the Bracing clinic while I will be working on my rolls and self rescues as a drop in.

As Yves reminded us tonight, "The roll is the easiest self rescue to do but the hardest to learn". Boy .... when it works it sure is effective and almost effortless. Getting to that point will just take more time "In" the water.

2013 Paddle # 26 Pool Session with Go Kayak

Distance:  Zippo km  (Zippo nm)

YTD: 257.64 km (139.11 nm)

Summer Dreams

After spending a good part of the day walking the dog ;-) , Robyn and I decided to take advantage of the early summer like conditions and paddle around James Island. Last summer we had done this paddle in a clockwise direction so today we would simply go the other way. 

With nearly no wind and the ebb current nearing slack we launched out of Island View Beach at 16:30. Joanne Nicolson also joined us for the paddle even though she had just finished a SISKA paddle.   

At launch time the temperature was 25 C so we decided to take our dry suits with us in the hatches since the water and wind conditions were perfect for light gear. The beginning of May and yet it felt like a late afternoon summer day and the forecast is more of the same for the next seven days. What a week it would have been to simply load up the camping gear and disappear into the Gulf Islands. But that's for later in the year ;-)

Robyn with her new MEC buff and James Island in the background.

After crossing Cordova Channel we reached the bluffs on the south end of James Island. When I looked behind me the sight of the snow capped Olympic Mountains in the distance and Mt. Doug in the foreground was stunning. Do we live in paradise or what?? 

A beautiful picture of Robyn and Jo with the Olympic Mountains 

Heading up the east side of the island the water was crystal clear and we could see the bottom several fathoms below. Jo spotted a couple of Dall's porpoise about 100 feet off our starboard bow heading south so we just watched as they passed by us. There is something special about seeing cetaceans in the wild while in a kayak. Somehow you just feel like you are sort of connected to them as we paddle quietly along in their environment.

Jo and I watching the Dall's porpoise (not in view) heading towards us with Sidney Island in the background.

Rounding the northern tip of the island there were a couple of kayaks on the beach below the high water line getting ready to head back out onto the water. James Island is privately owned and there are plenty of "No Trespassing" signs all around the island above the high water line. However, on a low tide the island offers lots of places to land on the sandy beaches for a rest stop.

As we headed back into Cordova Channel we picked up the last of the ebb current as it assisted us along back towards our put in location. We spotted a cruise ship in the distance just on the back side of D'Arcy Island heading towards Rum Island. What an afternoon it would have been to be camped at Rum Island watching the cruise ships go by. More summer dreams for the future.

We landed back at Island View Beach at 19:00 and the radiant heat coming off the beach was quite noticeable. Aaaahhh ...... summer!

2013 Paddle # 25 James Island Circumnavigation
Distance:  14.26 km  (7.70 nm)

YTD: 257.64 km (139.11 nm)

Early Summer Evening Paddle

Yesterday we participated in the SISKA's first ever "Evening Paddle" in the sheltered waters of Cadboro Bay. Mike Jackson was our paddle leader for the evening and it was great to see 16 paddlers turn up for the event of which there were many new faces.

The timing couldn't have better as the whole west coast is experiencing an early summer heat streak and last night we started the paddle in slightly overcast conditions. Over the next 90 minutes the skies cleared and we were bathed in a brilliant sunset.

The paddlers getting ready for Mike's pre-paddle beach talk.

Gary Jacek was the pacesetter and he lead us out NE side of the bay out past Flower Island towards 10 Mile Point. There was a little bit of a flood current to play in between 10 Mile Point as we started our crossing of the bay over towards Jemmy Jones Island that made it interesting for some of the paddlers.

Gary and Mike leading the group towards 10 Mile Point

Almost at the same time the evening summer sun started to show itself and boy did I wish that I had my sunglasses.

That sun was blinding but no arguments from the paddlers.

I think this is the first time that we have been on a paddle where a canoe was used instead of a kayak. Alan and Linda Thomson are very skilled canoeists as well as kayakers and they had no issue in keeping up with Gary at the front of the group.

Arriving at Cattle Point the view of the Olympic Mountains were stunning.

Heading back towards the put in location we detoured to visit the  S.A.L.T.S. Sail and Life Training Society ship Pacific Grace anchored in the bay. The deck was alive with kids experiencing a trip of a lifetime and it was neat to get up close for a few pictures.

My girl .... what a great picture!!

Heading back to the beach I took a few more pictures and this one is a bit of a political statement for Mike Jackson. I wonder who he is going to be voting for in the provincial election??  LOL

To sum it up .... a very popular paddle that SISKA needs to do more of.

2013 Paddle # 24 SISKA Cadboro Bay Evening Paddle
Distance:  6.82 km  (3.68 nm)

YTD: 243.38 km (131.41 nm)