4 weeks in the Broughtons; back to Desolation

Pelagia in Miles Inlet

Four weeks total up in the Broughtons/North Vancouver Island/Cape Caution. Lots of good weather (comfortable 15-21°C highs), with a sprinkling of fog and a few showers.

We seemed to enjoy the area more than usual, especially in anchorages at Miles Inlet and Murray Labrynth -- where we met up with SV Chanter -- both near Cape Caution. Lots of kayaking.

Outlet from Miles Inlet Lagoon

 

Chanter (left) & Pelagia (centre) in Murray Labrynth

 

We went back-and-forth whether to go North of Caution. The main deciding factor was the area, largely part of Heiltsuk traditional territory, was "closed" by the Heiltsuk Nation until July 23rd (and with that, all BC Parks and Conservancies were officially closed, meaning no going ashore). We decided the 23rd was too late. Next year. For sure....

Enjoyable visits with friends on SV Chanter. Also, a dinner with Mexico cruising friends Betty-Ann and Dave.

Many, many sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Oddly,  no bear sightings. And a remarkable encounter with a newborn seal who thought Pelagia then one of our kayaks was its mother. (We left it alone and eventually its mother showed up.)

We returned twice to Sointula, back to its welcoming, relaxed reputation.

Our trip back down South (actually, SE) was highlighted by a great sail down Johnstone Strait, from Havannah Channel to Wellbore Channel (where we anchored in Douglas Bay/Forward Harbour).

We are now back in Desolation, enjoying the sun and ocean swimming.

HOT, sunny days in Roscoe Bay, then up to the Broughtons

Kayaking in Indian Channel (Broughtons)

 

Three days and nights in Roscoe Bay, with temperatures above 30°C -- the result of the "heat dome". Fortunately, we could jump in the water to cool off (sea water 20°-22°C).

Decided it was time to "head North", up to the Broughtons, where we could catch up with sailing friends on SV Carousel and SV Chanter. After a night in Owen Bay, we headed into Johnston Strait. Although we didn't have winds to sail, we always had a great ebb current helping us along -- sometimes as much as an extra 5 knots! It was an easy, quick trip to Port Harvey. (We were lucky, because 1-2 days later, the gales in Johnstone Strait began again.

Temperatures are cooler here in the Broughtons. Very comfortable 15°-23°C. We've been to a couple new-to-us anchorages (Simoon Sound; Shoal Harbour*) as well as several regualr favourites, and finally visited with Billy Proctor and his great little museum near Echo Bay (while we were anchored in nearby Shoal Harbour).

[*Shoal Harbour is very poorly charted. We've done an "as you go" depth survey, and now have a more-detailed "chart" of Shoal Harbour... for our next time or others.]

 

Shoal Harbour: current chart

 

Shoal Harbour: Satellite image with soundings (corrected for tide level)  Click on to view.

 

We spent an enjoyable 5 nights with Carousel before they had to head back South (catching a flight to Nova Scotia at the end of July). We also met up with Chanter, who had family visiting them (5 people on a 34-foot sailboat!) -- we properly socialized with Chanter later once family had to leave.

We've re-provisioned in Port McNeill, and are now in old favourite Sointula. Always relaxing.

Chanter left today for the Cape Caution area. We plan to leave tomorrow morning and also head to near to Cape Caution. After that will depend on weather and us....