SGang Gwaay Haida Heritage Site

SGang Gwaay Haida Heritage Site

As we have done twice in the past, we decided to dinghy over to SGang Gwaay (Anthony Island) from Louscoone's Etches Point Cove. Takes about 1 hour to SGang Gyaay's North Cove, and is mostly protected (only about 10-15 min exposed). A glorious, sunny day.

Nearing SGang Gwaay, we saw puffins on the largest of the Adams Rocks - always a thrill to see these birds.

The watchman at SGang Gwaay warned us that the tide was too low to use the North Cove -- he was right, we checked anyways -- and we continued the extra mile to "South Cove" (noted as Gray's Cove" on charts). The extra distance was protected and we enjoyed the low-tide wildlife along the way (although now there are far too many sea urchins... sea otters are needed).

A little bit of a surf-landing at the South Cove for both our dinghies (Carousel and Pelagia), but we made it OK. We were met by young Haida Watchman Torrey, who gave us an enjoyable tour. This is our 3rd visit to SGang Gwaay, yet we still learned new facts. And the site is so beautiful.

Having been here in 2002 and 2011, we definitely noticed the deterioration of the many totem (mortuary) poles. Haida believe they should be left to deteriorate and fall as the natural way of things, thus this is what is happening. We wonder what the site will look like in another 10-20 years.

[We were the first visitors to come to day. But as we finished our tour, group tours started "lining up" to come in. It was going to be a busy day for the 2 watchmen. Parks Canada limits all group sizes to a maximum of 12 persons.]

Uneventful (safe) dinghy ride back to the boats, albeit a little wet as the wind was picking up and blowing spray on us. Wind was up to 21 knots into the anchorage. As I write this, I am hoping it abates by dinner.

Update: the wind did end by about 8pm....