stagger
Paddler
Wow ... epic ... entertaining ... [a] brilliant and sometimes self-deprecating narrative. A great story!
— The New York Times Kayak Blog Review
Thanks, Jon, it really means a lot, especially coming from you, who I consider the best in the “business”! I’ve taken a lot of cues from you about how to approach a trip report, so if I’ve succeeded here, some measure of the kudos should be forwarded on your way.
More than anything, I hope folks find these reports useful the way I’ve found yours, and Mr Torrens’, and MarkBC’s, and the MV Dirona’s, and Randel Washburne’s... and the list goes on.
The magic of cut and paste. After a full weekend of writing, another 1/2 hour’s mindless labour to accommodate the desires of a site that’s been so tremendously inspiring, informational & downright essential didn’t seem like too much to do.Additionally, you did it twice.
This is well observed. It was very busy. I’m sure your explanation is correct, but I prefer to think we were transported by the gods to Triquet so we could experience it a little bit — else we’d have just passed it by.The shoreline south of Superstition Point is abrupt and prone to creating rebounding seas that extend far off shore. I can envision a situation where the entry to shelter behind Spider is missed due to conditions. It can get very busy there. Not a celebrated section of route but experienced by many. Likewise the outer shore of Spider can get nasty. Blowing past that whole section and ending up at Triquet is understandable and told in a humorous and personal manner. Folks need to note on their charts that just because Superstition is in the review mirror their concerns are not.
There was a nice little stream right on the beach in front of the cabin. It had been raining a lot the previous few days. And although it was just fine, no, it wasn’t the best water ever — photo included in report.You gathered water at Triquet. Where did you find it? I know it’s there but I wouldn’t expect it to be great, although it sustained Heiltsuk and Wuikinuxv for over 14,000 years. Where did you gather it?
I don’t want to incriminate anyone, and I know you’re a proponent of never-leave-a-trace camping (as, generally, I am. I won’t “improve” a site beyond underbrush removal or arrangement of logs myself, although it doesn’t offend me to find someone’s driftwood bench or simple table on occasion). I’m assuming there was some architecture there before — the site is heavily used, and not mentioned or pictured was a fair bit of wrack and debris of various ages from which the furniture was improvised — and that the fellows we encountered merely improved it. Simon isn’t FN but his wife is. I’ll be surprised if much (any) of the furniture remains by now after a winter out there; I didn’t recount some of the bumbling episodes where we knocked some of it over while digging the tarp and how we tried to rebuild. It was real sunny-day stuff.I have never seen the Heiltsuk or any First Nations build beach architecture on their territory. Cabins, yes, but beach furniture, no. I’ve seen signs but not tables and chairs. Just curious.
I would hold it as an honour! And as karmic revenge, because I’ve stolen shamelessly from those who’ve gone before.I hope to shamelessly steal from you in the future
Special thanks to yourself and pls_dave for generously sharing your knowledge and experience leading up to our departure.
We’re planning to return this summer to experience Goose, Calvert and Triquet, among other places we didn’t get to, or get enough of, last year.