Category Archives: Paddling

Multi-day Hiking – Cowichan Valley – 7-11 April 2019

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This trip is full.  Contact the coordinator if you wish to wait-list.

Activity Multi-day hiking
Destination Cowichan Valley
Date 7-11 April 2019, Sunday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info 250.285.2393; please contact the coordinator as soon as possible and payment needs to be received by Feb 15th.
Description A multi-day trip in Cowichan Valley.  We have changed the originally proposed accommodation due to the particular demand for this trip.  Now we will be staying at a beautiful home on Shawnigan Lake near the Cowichan Valley Trail.  For details view: https://www.canadastays.com/p291463
Possible hiking destinations include: Kinsol Trestle, Skutz Falls along Cowichan River, Maple Mountain, Mt Tzouhalem, Stocking/Heart Lake Trails, Jack Fleetwood Trail, Fern Grotto, Eagle Heights Grasslands, an ancient forest hike up Koksilah River, and Cable Bay to Dodd Narrows.  You may also bike on the Cowichan Valley Trail or kayak from the house.
Margot will organize car-pooling and dinner preparation teams. Each hiker is responsible for their breakfast and lunch. ****************************************************************************
Meeting Place QCove ferry line-up – appointed vehicles to be in line-up by 8:20 am.
Departure Time 9 am ferry, April 7th, returning on Thurs. April 11th.
Difficulty Easy to moderate
Dogs No
Trip Limits 7
Costs Accommodation at $60/night/person (this may vary depending on the final number that come), ferry costs, fuel
Notes Please take time to check out the accommodation, the hikes and area plus your calendar. I am hoping to accommodate everyone’s needs as much as possible. This, hopefully, will be a lovely spring trip, with longer days and maybe sunshine.
I will be working with Debbie and Norris regarding hiking trips. Please remember to submit dietary needs regarding dinners.
All payments go to Julie.  Please makes cheques out to Quadra Island Outdoor Club.
Margot
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Trip Report – Open Bay and Breton Islands – 2 Dec 2018

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It was a chilly day, as there had been frost, but sunny and calm. Five paddlers set out from Len Road access to enjoy the sun and an afternoon on the water. There were a large number of eagles and loons out enjoying the sun as well. We paddled out of Hyacinthe Bay and headed over to the North Breton Island. The tide was quite high, 15.7 feet, so we were able to cross the rocks near the south end. From there we traveled north and came back down through Shellalligan Pass. We stopped on a little stretch of sand in Moulds Bay for tea and cookies. It was quite warm in the sun for this time of year. Afterwards we made a circle into Open Bay before returning to the cars. 3 hours, 6.6 nautical miles

Les

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Kayaking – Open Bay & Breton Islands – 2 Dec 2018

Kayaking – Open Bay and Breton Islands – 2 Dec 2018

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Open Bay and Breton Islands
Date 2 Dec 2018, Sunday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com   Be sure and sign up so I can call you if weather changes
.Description The weather forecast is sunny but cold so dress accordingly. We are leaving as late as possible so it will warm up a bit. Have lunch before you come but we will stop for a snack so bring one and maybe something warm to drink. The exact course will be set by conditions and the people that go.
Meeting Place Len Road public beach access
Departure Time Meet at 12:30, launch at 1 P.M.
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: All participants must conform to QIOC paddling guidelines. Participants must have all Coast Guard required equipment and spray skirts.  The standard for participation in winter trips is higher than for summer outings.

Trip Report – Steep Island – 12 Nov 2018

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On a calm and partly sunny day, four kayaks set out from Q Cove for Steep Island. We first paddled into Unkak Cove as there was a 12 foot tide and much of the Cove dries at a lower tide. There were numerous birds there. It is too bad that there are also numerous old docks that have been left to rot away. From the Cove we traveled up in Discovery Passage by April Point. We were going with the ebb tide, but found many back eddies along the way. It was fun to have the tide moving in all different directions which kept you adjusting your paddling.

We stopped to have lunch and enjoy the sun at Vigilant Island, and shared some smoked salmon, cheese and crackers.  From there we went around Steep Island. There was some current getting there but almost none going along the west side where I thought it might be strong. A person may know if it is ebb or flood tide, but the current is constantly changing near shore. The tide was nearing slack now so we headed straight back to the Cove, though there was still come current against us. On the way we had two sea lions put on a bit of a show for us. It is unsettling for a creature bigger that the kayak to come up close to you. All in all a calm, warm and wonderful day for a paddle especially considering it is November.  7.8 nautical miles and 4 hours.

Les

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Kayaking – Steep Island – 12 Nov 2018

Kayaking – Steep Island – 12 Nov 2018

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Steep Island
Date 12 Nov 2018, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com   Be sure and sign up so I can call you if weather changes
.Description This will be a trip with some current. We will ride the ebb north and there should not be too much current coming back as max is 4.4 at 11:50. This is a higher tide so will be a good time to explore Unkak Cove. If wind comes up we will change to a April Point launch and do Gowlland Harbour.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ramp
Departure Time Meet at 10:30, launch at 11 am.
Difficulty
 Moderate.
Costs parking
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: All participants must conform to QIOC paddling guidelines. Participants must have all Coast Guard required equipment and spray skirts.

Trip Report – Gowlland Island and Harbour – 19 Sept 2018

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Six people met at April Point Marina an hour after low tide to launch their kayaks. The weather was sunny and calm as we paddled through the narrow entrance into Gowlland Harbour. This is where we encountered the most current, but it was not that heavy. Once into the harbour we paddled between Mouse and Crow Islets. Then by Wren Islet and up the northeast side to the log dump. The clouds moved in as we headed for May Island for lunch. Just as we got there the heavens opened up and we all got soaked.

After lunch the weather turned back dry and we left for the opening between Steep and Gowlland Islands. The flood current here was not anywhere near the 4 knot max that the charts showed was occurring off Orange Point. We also found this the case for just off April Point so we slid on down to the next little bay. From there we returned to April Point Marina in another shower. All in all it was a great paddle.  12.7 km taking 3.75 hours.

Les

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Kayaking – Gowlland Island and Harbour – 19 Sept 2018

Kayaking – Gowlland Island and Harbour – 19 Sept 2018

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Gowlland Island and Harbour
Date 19 Sept 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com
Description The tentative plan is to go around Gowlland Island or possibly Steep Island, and through Gowlland Harbour.  The exact course will be decided by group that day. Expect some passages with some current.  Please register at least 24 hours in advance as trip may change due to weather.
Meeting Place April Point Marina
Departure Time 9:30.  Be there by 9:00 to be ready to leave by 9:30.
Difficulty
 Moderate.
Costs none
Trip limits eight
Dogs? no
Notes: All participants must review and conform to QIOC paddling guidelines. Participants must have all Coast Guard required equipment and spray skirts.