WHERE DID YOU PADDLE? - June 2006

[Batstar]

Went out for one final paddle early Sunday morning that saw us start near the Ogden Point Pier/breakwater, enter into the inner harbor and then paddle up through the Gorge. I’d say that it was a pretty nice way to round out the week after that fine trip to the Broken Group.

Off to a foggy start at Ogden Point Pier

Approaching the Breakwater

Starfish in the Lotus position

Killing time while waiting for the fog to burn off

The Erie Street Folk Art Gallery

Tillicum Street Bridge and Narrows

Saw plenty of herons along the way

...and geese too.

 

[Kasey]

Eight of us drove up to the south end of Mabel Lake (east of Vernon) and had a great day yesterday even though the mosquitos were ravenous at our put-in at Mabel Lake Provincial Park and it rained on and off. We went up the east side, crossed over and came back down the west side doing 27 km round trip! Found there weren't very many beaches for landing but that may be because the lake is quite flooded right now - quite a few firepits were under water (makes starting the fire difficult but putting it out easy)! And found very few mosquitos further up the lake. We have a great group building with people of fairly like minds but varying degrees of experience....one is a very knowledgeable instructor who we very much appreciate his sharing his knowledge. We spent some time this time learning how to tow, practicing towing and being towed. We're thinking we should make sure we learn at least one thing per trip - makes for a very satisfying feeling! My we are all very lucky people, all of us paddlers, aren't we!

Towing...

getting ready to tow....

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[Mark_Schilling]

We headed out early this morning to experience what the wild west coast has to offer. We drove to Port Renfrew and launched in the river, paddling out through mild surf and playing around for a while, before heading out towards the end of the bay to see what the ocean swells had in store for us.

"Nice boats!" The NDK Explorers waiting patiently at the put in.

"Incoming swells" - the big seas made for challenging paddling conditions.

"Getting Wet" - paddling in close to feel the spray.

"Play it safe" - a paddling partner was always close at hand (I had one stabilizing my boat while taking these photos).

"Rock Garden" - swells crashing over the outside and getting channeled between rocks

"Paddlers at work" - playing in big sea states requires confidence, skills (know your limits!) and the abilty to quickly analyse changable conditions.

"Jump!" - Wet Elvis demonstrates an alternative to conventional launch practises.

"Close Contact" - stabilizing the boat allows a swimmer to re-enter the boat from the water.

 

[Dan_Millsip]

Wow! Very cool shots. Looks like you guys had a really good day.

Elvis, did you not see that ladder that was right beside you?

*****

 

[Dan_Millsip]

Eight of us drove up to the south end of Mabel Lake (east of Vernon) and had a great day yesterday...

Kasey, are there any campgrounds on Mabel Lake? Once in a while I get up that way (relatives in Vernon) and would like to paddle there -- it's a beautiful lake.

We spent some time this time learning how to tow, practicing towing and being towed. We're thinking we should make sure we learn at least one thing per trip - makes for a very satisfying feeling! My we are all very lucky people, all of us paddlers, aren't we!

We certainly are lucky. And we get to paddle in the sweet spot of the planet -- want big ocean? Calm flat lakes? Awesome Scenery? No problem!

Excellent idea to learn new safety and paddling techniques every time you go out -- it all makes for better, safer, and more enjoyable paddling.

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Nice shot!

*****

 

[DarrenM]

Awesome pics Mark! 8)

 

[Mark_Schilling]

Note the tim bits sitting on the rear hatch (first photo) prior to launch. Energy food! :lol:

 

[Batstar]

Note the tim bits sitting on the rear hatch (first photo) prior to launch. Energy food! :lol:

Ahhh…sustenance. Who needs caffeine with an adrenaline pumping paddle like that.

Great shots Mark! Looks like a scene from the Tsunami Rangers.

 

[Kasey]

Dan Millsip wrote:

Kasey, are there any campgrounds on Mabel Lake

Hi Dan...yup, talked to a friend that works in Mental Health and her clients look after many of the forestry campsites. She said there is Noisy Creek campsite at the north end of the lake, Cottonwoods about halfway down the east side, the Provincial Campground that we launched from on the southern end (and another just north of that - Cascade Falls) and one (can't remember the name) at the little town of Kingfisher (as well as Mabel Lake Resort) about halfway up the west side of the lake. Makes it easy to cover the lake - we did the lower half in one day (almost up to Kingfisher) so could do the upper half another day....I'm hoping some of the others want to do that this weekend. I don't think it's too bad for powerboats....certainly wasn't bad while we were there - and I think the mosquitos will settle down after summer arrives this weekend...

Great pictures Mark - way out of my league! Betcha it's great fun though! 8)

Kasey

 

[Mark_Schilling]

Did a nice easy paddle out from Cordova Bay to D'Arcy Island yesterday afternoon, for a short camping trip and some rolling practice. I set up camp and went for a late afternoon paddle around the island. 200 metres off the beach I found an orange bobbing around in the narrows - grabbed it for dessert, suddenly rememebering that I hadn't brought any fresh fruit or veggies! I figured this called for a few celebratory eskimo rolls so I did three. :lol:

I paddled a little further around the corner and noticed something bobbing around just out from the island... another orange?!!? Yup! Grabbed it too, for breakfast this morning. Three more rolls. 8)

Well, you can only imagine where this led. By the time I returned to camp 45 min later I had no less than five fresh oranges (and I'd done quite a bit of rolling!). When was the last time you went camping to a remote island to pick up fresh groceries?!?! 8O

A beautiful, warm evening sunset

Twilight serenity

 

[Batstar]

When was the last time you went camping to a remote island to pick up fresh groceries?!?!

You really need to come out with us more often Mark.

Great pics. Sounds like you had a great time.