Monthly Archives: September 2013

Trip Photos – Kayaking Octopus Islands 21-23 Sept 2013

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By Darcy Mitchell

A three day camping trip to the Octopus Islands Marine Park was thwarted by poor and deteriorating weather forecasts.  As the weekend approached, it looked as if Saturday and Monday would both be possible, but the day in between promised to be truly ghastly.  And it was.  In the end, two club members took a day paddle from the Discovery Islands Lodge through Whiterock Passage to North Rendezvous Island on the Saturday.  Conditions for paddling were excellent.  The narrow passage with range markers was interesting and views from the Rendezvous Islands toward the mainland inlets were awesome.  On the return, there were Pacific white-sided dolphins playing at the west end of the passage. (23 km; 5½ hours)

After waiting out the Sunday deluge, three of us spent the night at the Lodge to make the early morning slack at Surge Narrows.  We paddled through with no trouble at 7:45 and spent the next six hours in a delightful trip to, and around the Octopus Islands.  The weather was calm and sunny, and the area almost deserted.  Just us, one sailboat, two kayak campers, the birds, the leaping salmon, and the seals.  We explored a few campsite options for next season and visited “Wilson’s cabin” – a venerable wooden structure festooned with mementoes of visiting boaters, where we left an offering given to us by Beth, Lodge host (a gorilla sitting on a small boat labeled “Quadra” – created by whom, and why, who knows?). With the exception of one quick shower as we approached the narrows on our return, the weather was perfect and day a great success.  We’re sorry that some of the usual paddling suspects were hors de combat with injuries or otherwise unavailable, and look forward to a return visit next year (with camping!!). (25.5 km; 7 hours)

Kayaking Octopus Islands 21-23 Sept 2013

 

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Quadra Island Wild Mushroom Forays – Schedule and Guidelines

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Quadra Island Wild Mushroom Forays – Schedule and Guidelines

Note:  Participants must register with payment for the events so we know how many people to plan for.  Contact Maureen McDowell at mcboas@gicable.com or at (250) 285-2221.

Dates:
Foray 1 – Saturday, October 19 – Participants must register and pay by Monday, October 14.
Foray 2 – Saturday, November 2 – Participants must register and pay by Monday, October 28.

Schedule (both days)

 9:30 a.m. – meet in the parking lot of the Quadra Community Centre for a 10 a.m. departure (car pooling)

2:30 p.m. – everybody back from the field – bring specimens to Room 3, Quadra Community Centre (upstairs) to identify what we can

5:00 p.m. – event ends

The purpose of the foray is to collect specimens for identification, with emphasis on safe edible species

There will be several foray locations.  Each group of 2 vehicles will be assigned to an initial location; each owner/driver is responsible for his/her passengers. Each group of vehicles will have a foray leader.  Drivers must register with the overall foray coordinator before leaving and check in upon return.  All foray participants must sign QI Outdoor Club waivers before heading out.  It is strongly suggested that each group of vehicles change location after 2 hours (or less) to give everyone a chance to visit at least 2 spots.  Participants should check in with their foray leaders each half hour to reduce the chance of people wandering too far or getting misplaced.  PLEASE HUNT IN PAIRS – NO LONERS.

Foray locations with maps will be distributed to participants at the meeting place on foray dates.

 Equipment and clothing list        

  • Rain gear and boots, hat
  • Whistle
  • Compass or GPS
  • Full water bottle
  • Packed lunch
  • Basket or bucket
  • Knife
  • Paper bags and roll of wax paper for collecting
  • Notebook and pencil
  • Small first aid kit (e.g. bandaids)

Each vehicle should have a blanket and towel and a first aid kit.

Trip Photos – Kayak Rebecca Spit to Moulds Bay 15 Sept 2013

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By Terry Hale

Group: Terry Hale (coordinator), Debbie, Norris, Darcy, Lynn.

Due to marine weather reports (estimated 15 – 20 knots SE winds) the planned destination of Dunsterville Island/Village Bay was left for next year and the meeting place was changed from Valdez Drive beach access to Rebecca Spit boat launch. The group met at 10:30 am, loaded boats and paddled towards Breton Islands on smooth water enshrouded by fog (apparently the Cortes ferry Captain said that the 11:05 run to Cortes was the most dense fog he had ever been in on that route).  Deck compass and handheld GPS proved quite useful for this crossing. We weaved amongst islands to Moulds Bay for a quick lunch, and then crossed Open Bay as wind and waves picked up. Averting a planned stop at Turtle Island, we ferried from Hyacinthe Point to Heriot Island accompanied by rain, thunder and occasional lightening strikes. Everyone remained cheerful and paddled at a steady pace during the trip. We returned to the boat launch at 3:30 pm – close to high tide.

This was a successful trip considering adverse weather conditions. The group stayed together during crossings, wore wet weather clothing and carried navigational and safety equipment. The route plan was changed due to group safety, tracking marine weather, and keeping escape routes in mind.

Kayak Valdez Rd to Village Bay 15 Sept 2013

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Planning Meeting 3 November 2013

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Activity Planning Meeting
Location Quadra Community Center
Date Sunday, 3 November 2013
Event Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info qioutdoorclub@gmail.com or at (250) 285-3710
Description Share your feedback on the summer trips and your suggestions for fall and winter trips and other activities.  In addition to skiing and snow shoeing, we plan to have naturalist outings and evening talks.
Place Quadra Community Center, room 3.
Time 2:00 pm
Costs none; non-members are welcome
Notes:

Wild Mushroom Foray 2 November 2013

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Activity Wild Mushroom Foray (field trip)
Location Local trails
Date Saturday, 2 November 2013
Event Coordinator Maureen McDowell
Contact Info mcboas@gicable.com or at (250) 285-2221
Description Local mushroom enthusiasts will lead field trips to collect and identify Island fungi (to the extent possible with local expertise).  Emphasis is on identifying safe edible mushrooms.
Meeting Place Meet in the parking lot of the Quadra Community Centre for a 10 a.m. departure (car pooling)
Departure Time Please arrive by 9:30 a.m. so that we leave by 10.
Difficulty Easy
Costs Cost: $10/person.  Special Package price for Workshop and 2 forays: $45/person.  Members of either Club get an additional Package discount of $5.00/person to $40/person. To obtain the discount on either package, you must submit your paid registration by September 30, 2013.
Limits none
Notes: To obtain a registration form, or for information, contact Maureen McDowell at mcboas@gicable.com or at (250) 285-2221.Cancellation Policy: Fees are refundable up to 48 hours before an event if you call/email to cancel.
For more info, click here.

Wild Mushroom Foray 19 October 2013

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Activity Wild Mushroom Foray (field trip)
Location Local trails
Date Saturday, 19 October 2013
Event Coordinator Maureen McDowell
Contact Info mcboas@gicable.com or at (250) 285-2221
Description Local mushroom enthusiasts will lead field trips to collect and identify Island fungi (to the extent possible with local expertise).  Emphasis is on identifying safe edible mushrooms.
Meeting Place Meet in the parking lot of the Quadra Community Centre for a 10 a.m. departure (car pooling)
Departure Time Please arrive by 9:30 a.m. so that we leave by 10.
Difficulty Easy
Costs Cost: $10/person.  Special Package price for Workshop and 2 forays: $45/person.  Members of either Club get an additional Package discount of $5.00/person to $40/person. To obtain the discount on either package, you must submit your paid registration by September 30, 2013.
Limits none
Notes: To obtain a registration form, or for information, contact Maureen McDowell at mcboas@gicable.com or at (250) 285-2221.Cancellation Policy: Fees are refundable up to 48 hours before an event if you call/email to cancel.
For more info, click here.

Wild Mushroom Workshop 12-13 October 2013

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Activity Wild Mushroom workshop
Location Quadra Community Center
Date Saturday-Sunday, 12-13 October 2013
Event Coordinator Maureen McDowell
Contact Info mcboas@gicable.com or at (250) 285-2221
Description Dr. Shannon Berch presents a workshop on Identifying Quadra’s Wild Mushrooms.  This workshop will teach you basic identification skills, including the use of binomial keys and the program “Matchmaker”.
Place Quadra Community Center, room 3.
Time 12pm-5pm Saturday, 9am-5pm Sunday
Costs Cost: $30/person.  Special Package price for Workshop and 2 forays: $45/person.  Members of either Club get an additional Package discount of $5.00/person to $40/person. To obtain the discount on either package, you must submit your paid registration by September 30, 2013.
Limits Maximum 20 participants
Notes: To obtain a registration form, or for information, contact Maureen McDowell at mcboas@gicable.com or at (250) 285-2221.Cancellation Policy: Fees are refundable up to 48 hrs. before an event if you call/email to cancel.  Mushroom ID Workshop will have a wait-list.

Trip Photos – Kayaking Granite Bay to Small Inlet 7 Sept 2013

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Four paddlers departed from the Granite Bay dock in quite dense fog, complete calm and quiet.  The fog lifted after about half an hour and conditions were idyllic.  We paddled to the end of Small Inlet, stopped for a snack on the largest island and then continued on to Orchard Bay.  The group explored, basked in the sun and tried out the apples.  Still wanting to paddle more, we went around the eastern island of the Chained Islands in Kanish Bay on the return to Granite Bay.

Kayaking Granite Bay to Small Inlet 7 Sept 2013

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Trip Photos – Backpacking Mt Albert Edward 31Aug – 2Sept 2013

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by Will LaVigne  (willlavigne@hotmail.com)

Berries, berries, berries!
They were everywhere but tasted the best at high elevation.
There were berries on the trail up and down, there were berries at the camp site and there were berries part way up and down to the summit.
The hike was fantastic.
The weather was super.
The company, friends and fellow hikers were awesome.
There were lots of berries!

Cheers,
Will

Lots of delicious, juicy, purple and blue berries.

Will has an album of photos from this trip.  E-mail him and he will send you the link to it.

Backpacking Mt Albert Edward 31Aug – 2Sept 2013

click photos to enlarge