Return to Haida Gwaii

Skidegate Inlet, Haida Gwaii (looking towards Queen Charlotte City)

Seven years later, after a cruise to Mexico then a return home to British Columbia and move to Whistler, we have finally returned to the islands of Haida Gwaii. 

We plan about 5 days in the Sandspit/Queen Charlotte City/Masset area before heading south into Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site for 2-3 weeks.

Around Cape Caution to the North Coast (finally!)

West Beach, Hakai

After 5 nights, Michelle returned to Pelagia. A tiring trip, but worth it. Her brother in New York doing well (and back at home).

We headed out towards, stopping at beautiful Miles Inlet, 8 nm southeast of Cape Caution. Next day, we had a relatively smooth crossing around the cape, stopping at Fury Cove (Rivers Inlet). Fury was surprisingly busy (especially with large American power boats, who seemed to be constantly cleaning fish; they were back out fishing the next day... how much salmon does one need to take?).

Next day, we motored up to Pruth Bay in Hakai, we we rejoined friends on SV Carousel. We had a wonderful sunny walk to West Beach and then to North Beach. We had forgotten how beautiful it is up here!

Michelle on North Beach (Hakai)

Plan is to head up to Codville Lagoon today.

Happy to finally be back on B.C.'s North coast.

Broughton Strait hiatus...

Rough Bay, Sointula (Malcolm Island)

After Cracroft Inlet, where we were somewhat pinned down by 20-27 knot winds in the anchorage for an extra day, we had an easy trip to Sointula. Sointula is always a favourite of ours.

We had traveled with SV Carousel since Vancouver, but after two nights in Sointula, they moved over to Port McNeil to provision. We elected to rest another day in Sointula. (SV Carousel is now north of Cape Caution. We hope to catch up with them later.)

Midday on the third day in Sointula, we got word that Michelle's brother in New York was in intensive care and in serious condition.* After hours of arranging on the internet, we got Michelle flights from the Port Hardy airport (half way between McNeil and Hardy) to Vancouver, then another flight to New York. (Of course, we had left our passports home in Whistler, so Michelle had to detour for a night home to Whistler... learned a lesson there!)

We headed over to Port McNeil for Michelle to get her flight. David spent two nights in Port McNeil (doing non-perishable provisioning), but is currently back in Sointula. Pelagia will return to Port McNeil on Wednesday; Michelle returns to Pelagia Thursday morning. We expect to head out Northwards on Friday.



*UPDATE June 5th: Brother Jim now out of ICU and expected to return home in 1-2 days.