Justine’s Blog

  • Puffin Cove

    Justine called yesterday from Puffin Cove after an exhausting 13 nm paddle. The seas were again very confused and they again had a light headwind and no swell to help. Today they are going to take an off-day as they have had only one entire day off since the journey began and they need time to rest up after 3 very tiring days paddling. They are staying in a log cabin built by a California couple named Carey, who lived off the land and donated the cabin to the Gwaii Haanas park when it came into being. It is a very unique anchorage and the Carey’s wrote a book about it titled “Puffin Cove”. I’ve included a photo of Shawna on the west coast of Graham earlier in the trip and Rowland’s photo of Woodruff Bay where they were camped a few days ago.
    Mike

  • Anvil Bay / Wells Cove

    Shawna called this afternoon from Wells Cove. Yesterday they visited the Haida site at Nintstints on Anthony island and then spent the day in fog and big seas paddling about 12 nm to Anvil Bay in Flamingo Inlet. When I asked if big seas was 3 meter seas? Shawna asked the others how big and Leon responded big as a house. I’m not sure if he’s talking about their old 12 x 12 cabin or their new barn? But Shawna said it was exciting which gives me an idea how big it was. Today they paddled about 15 nm to Wells Cove. They were paddling with the flood and the wind for a time but then the winds turned westerly. Shawna says the seas were very confused with lots of rebounding waves. At the end of the paddle, they got hit by a squall. Both Shawna and Leon sounded tired and glad to be in camp. Courtesy of Rowland Woolven, I’ve included photos taken during his trip to Haida Gwaii of the totem poles at Ninstints and a shot taken from camp on Anvil island.
    Mike

  • Gordon Islands

    Justine called last night from the Gordon Islands. They have rounded Cape St. James and are heading up the west coast! The conditions were accommodating with a 1-2 foot swell, winds not too strong and about 1 1/2 kt. of current. But even though the weather was good, Justine said they could still feel the power of the place as the paddled around the cape. A sea lion colony was there and they saw many puffins. They also saw another humpback whale. Ironically the wind blew from the north for awhile so they had a headwind for a short time. In camp, they had the last of Leon’s scotch. They are enjoying their pace of around 10-15 nm, which is allowing them time to enjoy the land as well as the sea. Tomorrow the plan is to visit the Haida Watchman at Ninstints on Anthony island due west of the Gordon islands. I’ve included a photo of the Sgang Gwaay pole they will find there and a photo of Leon and a totem pole from earlier in their journey.
    Mike

  • Woodruff Bay

    Leon called. They had a nice send-off from Rose Harbour with fresh muffins and then had to battle big headwinds for 15-20 nm to a camp on Woodruff Bay looking at Cape St. James. They are all well but looking forward to rounding the cape and getting the wind at their backs. I could hear the wind on the satellite phone for the first time. They were enjoying their 4th fire (not sure why they are counting). Leon said they can easily view the evidence of why this area is known for it’s high winds since they are seeing thousands trees blown down by the winds. No shortage of firewood. Leon said he was looking at eagle tracks in the sand as he was talking to me. The satellite photos shows Woodruff Bay and Cape St. James. I’ve included a photo of Justine washing her drysuit.
    Mike