Have any of you (or anyone you know) visited the public use cabin at the north end of Burnett Bay (south of Cape Caution in Queen Charlotte Sound) since last July? I understand that the stove has burned out to the point of being dangerous to use as of the end of June. If the cabin has survived the summer without being burned down, I'd like to make arrangements to get a new stove and pipe up there before next summer.

Thanks!

Perhaps I posed the wrong question on this thread, since out of 153 view there have been no responses.

Rather than questioning how to preserve the cabin for use by kayakers and other boaters, should it be preserved at all? If there is no consensus by those that have been there (and I know there are many) to keep it, I'll give up on trying to get a new stove up there.

I'd appreciate your feedback.

No, I haven't been since last July. I can't answer to the state of repair of the stove.

I was at Burnett Bay two or three years ago. I didn't know the cabin was there prior to my arrival. I didn't use the cabin but was pleased to know it was there in the event of an emergency.



The status of the land is changed. It is becoming a Provincial Conservancy Area under the authority of BC Parks. That means that the illegal status of the cabin might no longer be overlooked.

Most of us who paddle into remote areas like Burnett Bay are equipped with tents and the like needed to survive in the harsh and remote environment. Even so I'd like to see it remain there as a resource to be used in the event of an emergency.

One problem with cabins like this is people who leave that piece of garbage on the premise that someone else might use it. The cabin at Burnett Bay was having the same issue with empty bottles and the like.

My biggest fear is that the cabin might be used as a destination and visited for periods of time extending into weeks and months.

Hakai43;
can you confirm, by visual, what the stove needs, or what could be used to replace it? i might be able to volunteer materials and labour; but not shipping or installation.

Daren.......

History of the cabin 1985-2009. It mentions the stove June 2009, but entries since have not been transcribed.
Does not answer your question regarding the cabin surviving the summer, but does indicate that the cabin is well used by kayakers.
http://www.washburnemarine.com/Journals.pdf

Very interesting background nootka, thanks!
Randel Washburne sounds like quite a guy.

From http://www.washburnemarine.com/CABINS1.pdf

See http://www.washburnemarine.com/Stories.asp for stories on Light Stations, the Kayak Biz, and some kayak trips.

Thanks for posting the link, cho- oh, I mean nootka!

That is a fascinating bunch of anecdotes. I recall an accident summary of the threesome which had problems in the surf, but could not find it in Deep Trouble.

This is just the discussion I’d hoped for.

Actually, I’m Washburne. Having built and maintained the cabin sporadically over the years, I probably have more interest in preserving it than others do. But being in my late 60’s I don’t know when or if I’ll get to Burnett Bay again, so I thought I’d try to keep it going from afar for a little while, and hope that others might take over. But only if that’s what BC folks want. Otherwise it should go the way of all things on the raincoast.

Ken raises several important points. I’m glad that the Cape Caution area will now get protection as a Provincial Conservancy Area, and this may force the issue of the cabin’s future. If BC paddlers want it to be accepted by BC Parks, it would stand the best chance if it is still serviceable and used. (On the other hand my old Triquet Island cabin in Hakai Luxvbalis Conservancy has not been habitable for many years but is still there!) So, should something be done to approach BC Parks about preserving (and perhaps maintaining) it? Perhaps that might be the worst thing to do.

Ken also pointed out the garbage left for others to “use”. That’s always been a problem there. One year I took a rusty gallon-size can of shredded turkey out onto the beach and took an axe to it. Another year there was a similar sized bottle of kimchee I also disposed of at low tide. Amazing that kayakers try to carry such huge things.

As to the semi-permanent resident moving in, perhaps only park management can control that.

Daren – thanks for your offer of help on the stove. I think I’ve brought up eight of them over the years and probably twice as much pipe. Sheet metal just doesn’t last up there more than a couple of seasons. So I was considering making a stove and pipe from stainless steel. It would be expensive and very difficult to work with my limited tools, but it could be done. I might approach one of the pilots who regularly flies to the beach from Port McNeill to deliver it, but I don’t know if that will work. Getting it up island would also be an issue, though I could deliver it to Victoria if someone were going that way.

I think Dave is referring to this story http://www.seakayakermag.com/1997/dec97/surflanding.htm

I didn't use the cabin when I was there in 2006 (we had good weather), but see its value as a refuge in case of very bad weather or mishaps while negotiating surf.

BC Parks should know about it and the history behind it. It's pretty certain BC Parks will not have funds to maintain it. They probably won't remove it unless it falls into a serious state of disrepair or if squatters take it over.

Perhaps BC Marine Trails might be interested. Burnett Bay is a 'wow' site.

Absolutely the BC Marine Trails Network is interested!

The North and South bay locations are specifically included but all this background is especially useful.

Randel, it's pure pleasure having you show up on the site after reading about all that you have done for the pursuit of kayaking in general and on the west coast in particular.

ps for others, here is the cabin in 1985 that the discussion is somewhat about:



pps - could you PM Daren N as he is very familiar with stainless steel, and might be able to offer assistance or guidance.

Mr. Washburne;
as Mick says, i am quite experienced at working in stainless steel. i can get a lot of s/s for no cost and would be willing to build the parts required to replace the stove (at no charge), as long as someone else looks after delivery and installation.

Daren.......

Thanks to all of you for your kind words and support. Its great to hear the BC Marine Trail would want to be involved.

It was the cabin journals that encouraged me to continue maintaining the cabin over the years, and the amazing "community of people that have never met except in the spirit of this place", as one entry put it, that the journals contain. If nothing else, the cabin is a place for paddlers to leave a record of the sometimes transcending experiences that a long journey on the raincoast may bring. I hope to continue publishing them on my site as long as people keep sending them to me.

Daren - thank you very much for your offer to build a stainless stove. Hopefully we can get some verification that the cabin survives (somebody must have been there in late summer!), then I'll PM you with a few specs and figure out how to get it up there. If its getting flown in it could be pre-assembled, otherwise it should break down for delivery in a kayak without deck-loading and screwed together on the beach.

BTW - the picture shown in one post was taken in 2006 after re-roofing was completed, not 1985.

Randy (or Randel, your choice)

Randy:

It is wonderful to hear your voice on this forum.

I'm fairly certain that David Omick and Pearl Mast stopped by the cabin this summer. I will try to pass you an email address for David by pm.

Google up David and his email address will appear.

The cabin has such a terrific history, I hope it can continue. It certainly seems to be functional.

I talked to the north island pilot who flies in to Burnett Bay regularly. He was there in September and everything was fine. He has agreed to deliver and install the stainless steel stove that Daren has offered to build, sometime this winter or next spring.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

Randy

Randy and i have openned discussions back-channel about my building the stove.
if anyone has photos that include the stove in question, please post them here, or email them to me at daren(dot)neufeld(at)shaw(dot)ca

i've read through the transcribed journals and i think the cabin is well worth the effort that people have put into keeping it going. i hope to get there myself one day.

thanks;
Daren.........

i have begun construction of the stove as of this morning. i'll post pics here once it is completed. i'm really enjoying the design and construction process of yet another stove.

Randy and i have been discussing the shipping aspect involved with this project. we'd be interested to here from anyone that might be heading up to Port McNiel in about a month, and would be willing to carry the parts to the pilot who will carry them over to Burnett Bay, and has agreed to install the new stove.

Daren.........

Daren, Randy,

My business in Campbell River has my salesperson, and at times me, traveling from one end of the Island to the other on a weekly/bi-weekly basis. We have customers from Victoria to Pt. Hardy.
Would be happy to transport the stove/parts at no cost.
Just PM me when ready with instructions.

Sounds like a plan, Ken.

I ferry over to Nanaimo about 1 or 2 times a month and so could take the stove from Daren over to Nanaimo and drop it off with one of the Nanaimo paddling club members. You could then pick it up at your convenience.

thanks Ken and Mick. we'll be in touch when the time comes.

Daren......

Very, very cool!!

I love it when a plan comes together

mick...I have customers in Nanaimo as well...it will be very easy for you...and make it easy for us to pick up.

Sounds great, Ken!
I'll get in touch when Daren's ready.