Base Camp Kayaking Pre-trip Information Package

Base Camp Sea Kayaking
Pre-trip Information Package
Table of Contents:
Travel Information
Arriving at Base Camp
Preparing for Your Trip
Guides, Naturalists & Resource People
Food and Meals
West Coast Expeditions
PO Box 3537
Courtenay, BC
Canada V9N 6Z8
[email protected]
Kayaks and Gear
Weather Considerations
Clothing Information
Packing List
Toll free Canada and USA
1-800-665-3040
+1 (250) 338-2511 (Canada)
Fax: 1-888-224-0968 (N. America)
Thank you for choosing a trip with West Coast Expeditions! We are certain that your time with us
will be a rewarding experience that will leave you with many treasured memories!
This pre-trip information package will help you to prepare for your adventure. You’ll find details about
travel, a link to a sample itinerary, advice about gear and a corresponding equipment list, as well as
information about the area, the weather and the food – all to “whet your appetite” and help you to
prepare for your upcoming trip! Please contact us with any questions.
Travel Information
Getting to Vancouver Island:
To get to Vancouver Island by car, BC Ferries provides service from Tsawwassen to Duke Point or Sidney
(Victoria), Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, Powell River to Comox, and Prince Rupert/Bella Coola to Pt. Hardy on
northern Vancouver Island (www.bcferries.com). US visitors can reach Victoria from Port Angeles
(www.cohoferry.com), or take a passenger-only ferry from Seattle (www.clippervacations.com).
Air service is available to the Campbell River and Comox Valley Airport with Air Canada, Central Mountain Air,
Pacific Coastal Airlines, and WestJet (Comox Valley only). Harbour Air also has scheduled float plane service
between Vancouver Harbour and Comox Harbour.
Travelling between your accommodations (Comox Valley/Campbell River) and Spring Island:
4 & 5-Day Trip Guests
1. Morning van transportation (approx. 7 a.m. pick-up) from your accommodation in the Comox Valley
(Courtenay or Comox) or Campbell River areas (unless you've arranged float plane transportation);
2. Scenic drive (4 to 5 hours) on northern Vancouver Island to remote Fair Harbour; and
3. Water taxi shuttle (45 minutes) to our Wilderness Retreat base camp on Spring Island.
4. At the end of your time with us: Depending on tide heights and the taxi’s availability, the water taxi will
generally pick guests up from our beach on Spring Island at a pre-arranged time close to noon. The
van will meet you at Fair Harbour and transfer you to your accommodation or connecting travel plans
in the Campbell River or Comox Valley areas that evening.
7-Day Trip Guests
1. The day prior to trip start: Afternoon van shuttle from your chosen pick-up location in the
Courtenay/Comox or Campbell River areas to travel to your overnight accommodation in Gold River
(2.5 hour scenic drive) – approx. 2:00 p.m. pick up (starting in Courtenay).
2. Early morning local taxi from accommodations to MV Uchuck III dock – approx. 6:15 a.m. pick up.
3. 10 hour scenic cruise to Kyuquot on the Uchuck III, then water taxi shuttle from Kyuquot to Spring Is.
4. At the end of your time with us: Water taxi shuttle from Spring Island to Kyuquot for scenic Air Nootka
float plane flight back to Gold River and van shuttle return to the Comox Valley.
5. See ‘Further Info For 7 Day Base Camp Guests’ document for other important details
Arriving on Spring Island is usually a wet-feet experience!
Please have your submersible foot wear on or handy.
We recommend not planning for flights or ferry travel on the last night. Please tell us if this is
unavoidable and we will do our best to make it work, given weather and other variables.
Accommodations at the start and end (in Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, or Gold River are your
responsibility to arrange. Here are some suggested accommodations with preferred rates.
West Coast Expeditions
PO Box 3537, Courtenay, B.C., V9N 6Z8
www.westcoastexpeditions.com
2
(250) 338-2511 or 1-800-665-3040
Fax 1-888-224-0968
[email protected]
Back to Table Of Contents
Arriving at Base Camp: Welcome!
Upon arrival at our base camp on Spring Island, everyone helps to shuttle
camp supplies and personal gear a short distance up the beach. Snacks and
beverages await you at the dining shelter where we’ll begin a tour of the
camp. Once everyone has settled into their tents, the group will gather for
introductions and a discussion of people’s interests and expectations for the
trip. The remainder of the afternoon allows for an introduction to the
kayaks and gear, and an introductory forest and beach walk to truly
“arrive”, stretch your legs after travelling, and get oriented to this island location. Depending on the groups’
interest and weather conditions, there is often time before or after dinner for an initial paddle and/or
evening hike.
Nestled on the edge of lush temperate rainforest, in the protection of a quiet,
shallow bay, our camp provides simple comforts. The dining and activity
shelter is our social hub where we prepare our meals and stage our daily
activities. A cozy gathering place, this building houses our indoor dining and
dishwashing area, a wood stove, an extensive resource library and our
recycling centre. The camp also features a waterfront shower, personal
washing area (for face washing, teeth brushing etc.), a drying shelter for kayaking equipment and clothing, a
flat grassy meadow for packing and preparing kayaks, a fire circle, and three picturesque outhouses.
Spring Island is the largest of the Mission Group of Islands, and lies approximately 2 nautical miles west of
Kyuquot Village. While much evidence remains of the Mission Group’s long history of native habitation, the
islands are currently uninhabited. As one of the outer-most islands in the group, Spring Island is the ideal
location for our camp. With wave-pounded beaches and headlands on the western “backside” and a large
protected bay on the eastern “inside”, the island has much to offer in all kinds of weather conditions.
As well as being the perfect kayak-launching site, Spring Island provides the opportunity to visit a 1000-yearold Cedar tree, watch the sun slip behind the mountainous Brooks Peninsula, and comb the intertidal flats for
a myriad of marine critters. When it’s time to stretch your legs, the hiking options are varied and magnificent.
From half an hour to half a day, you can wander through mystical coastal forests, stand under wave-
carved sea arches or stroll along sand and cobblestone beaches.
We like to keep our plans flexible so that we can seize unique wildlife or cultural
opportunities as they arise – to make the most of your west coast experience!
4 or 5 Day Sample Itinerary
West Coast Expeditions
PO Box 3537, Courtenay, B.C., V9N 6Z8
www.westcoastexpeditions.com
7 Day Sample Itinerary
3
(250) 338-2511 or 1-800-665-3040
Fax 1-888-224-0968
[email protected]
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Preparing for Your Trip
Our kayaking day trips and forest or beach walks are generally active but not overly strenuous. Activities are
most enjoyed if you have at least a moderate fitness level. We typically paddle or walk for approximately 3-5
hours over the course of each day, with plenty of stops of interest and a relaxing lunch break. Occasionally,
wind and currents can create more challenging conditions. A regular exercise program that builds overall
strength, endurance, and flexibility will prepare you for the varied conditions that we may encounter, and will
optimize your enjoyment of this trip.
We adjust our daily plans to suit the abilities and interests of individuals and the group.
We have flexibility to paddle more – or less – as is appropriate and desired.
To increase your familiarity and comfort with kayaks before your trip, you may wish to participate in a full or
half-day introductory paddling course. These courses may be offered through a local sea-kayaking company,
club or recreation centre. While such a course will be of benefit, it is not required for participation on our trips.
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Guides, Naturalists & Resource People
Committed to sharing their enthusiasm for the outdoors, our guides, camp, and office staff are an integral part
of every trip. Our sea kayaking guides and instructors are considered among the best in British Columbia and
Canada. Our lead and assistant guides are all certified by the Sea Kayak Guide Alliance of BC or to equivalent
standards suitable for your trip. As such, each guide has done extensive training and has a unique range of
skills from natural and cultural interpretation to culinary expertise.
Gratuities are not included in the trip price. Guests often wonder “what is an appropriate tip” if they have
enjoyed their experience with the WCE Guides and Staff, and felt genuinely taken care of. Obviously, gratuity
amounts are left to your individual discretion, however a guideline for “good service” would be $20-$25 per
day, per guest, which will be shared appropriately among the WCE team (e.g., if pleased with your 5-Day trip,
the recommended gratuity would be between $100-$125 per guest, which is then shared between the 3-5
staff, proportionate to their involvement in your experience with us).
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Food and Meals
A balanced and healthy diet is essential to maintaining energy and enjoyment on any adventure trip. “Fresh
and delicious” is our food motto, and we serve a wide range of dishes to appeal to diverse palettes. Locallysourced fish and seafood are incorporated into our meals whenever possible. Though alcohol is not provided,
you are welcome to bring some to enjoy after the paddling day is finished and/or with your evening meal.
If you have any special dietary needs, please give us as much advance notice as possible so
that we can properly accommodate your requests in our meal planning.
West Coast Expeditions
PO Box 3537, Courtenay, B.C., V9N 6Z8
www.westcoastexpeditions.com
4
(250) 338-2511 or 1-800-665-3040
Fax 1-888-224-0968
[email protected]
Back to Table Of Contents
Kayaks & Gear
We refresh our kayak fleet each summer to provide our guests with top quality equipment in new or near-new
condition. We offer both double and single fibreglass (and even Kevlar) kayaks in a wide variety of styles and
models to suit a range of skill levels and bodies. Each kayak has a spray skirt, a manual bilge pump, bulkheads
for flotation, paddles, and adjustable seats with foot controlled rudders.
We have a selection of paddling jackets available for use during the trip, for protection against wind, rain
and/or ocean spray. In addition, we have some wet suits available for anyone interested in practising wet exits,
support strokes or rescues in the sheltered bay of our camp – always a fun source of evening entertainment
and enjoyment.
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Weather Considerations
West coast summers are generally mild with average temperatures of 19oC (66 F) to 25oC (77 F) during the
day & cooling to as low as 8oC (48 F) during the evenings. Ocean temperatures are 9o (50 F) to 13oC (58 F).
Rainfall during the summer averages 83 mm (3.25”) in July and 93 mm (3.66”) in August. This amounts to
less than 4 inches of rain per month. When it does rain, it tends to rain hard for a day then stop. Despite the
“wet coast” reputation, summers are often dry and fire bans are common. We sometimes collect so little
rainfall that we must bring water to Spring Island by boat from the Village of Kyuquot for washing and
showering.
Given that the weather can be changeable it is important to be well prepared for all types of weather.
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Clothing
Fabric Selections: When living in the outdoors, appropriate clothing is the key to being comfortable. The
best-suited clothing allows you the freedom to move while protecting you from the elements. Though cottonblend clothing is very comfortable, it is difficult to dry when it gets wet and it is very cold. Also, when cotton
gets wet with salt water, it never feels totally dry again (until rinsed with fresh water). Given that getting
damp or wet is inevitable when paddling, cotton is best avoided. Quick-drying synthetics, light-weight merino
wool, or silk fabrics are excellent for paddling and around camp. All are light and cool in hot weather and dry
quickly even when they get wet with salt water. Some people do prefer cotton blends for pre- and postpaddling. This is fine as long as you ensure that your camp “lounging” clothes stay dry and don’t join you on
the water.
West Coast Expeditions
PO Box 3537, Courtenay, B.C., V9N 6Z8
www.westcoastexpeditions.com
5
(250) 338-2511 or 1-800-665-3040
Fax 1-888-224-0968
[email protected]
Body wear: Since conditions vary considerably in the outdoors, dressing for our daily activities becomes
an imprecise science. The idea is not to bring a lot of clothing, but a few items that work effectively as layers.
On warm summer days a T-shirt and shorts will be fine, but on cooler or wet days it is best to dress in layers.
Ideally the innermost layer of clothing should move body moisture away from your skin to keep you dry and
warm - synthetic materials and natural fibres like silk and wool are great for this layer. The intermediate
layer(s) should insulate - wool and fleece are excellent for this job. The outer layer should block wind and
rain, yet also have some ventilation. The value of dependable, comfortable raingear cannot be overstated!
If you do not own the recommended types of clothing and are concerned about the cost of a “new wardrobe”,
consider shopping at used clothing or thrift stores!! Silk shirts, for example, are wonderful quick drying kayak
apparel for warm sunny days and they can be found in thrift stores for only $3 to $5! Sea kayaking is not
about making a fashion statement, it’s about enjoyment. Having appropriate clothing will go a long way to
increasing your comfort and enjoyment.
Sunburn can be a real concern when paddling, as the sun’s rays are intensified and reflected by the water.
Even on cloudy days, you’ll be surprised by how easily skin can be burned. Tightly woven material or SPFrated clothing is a more effective barrier than a high SPF sunscreen, so we find that a light-weight longsleeved shirt is fantastic for protecting your upper body. Also, don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat to shade your
face, neck and ears, and good quality sunglasses to protect your eyes! (Polarized or prescription sun glasses
are ideal but not mandatory.)
Footwear: You will get your feet wet when getting into and out of your kayak, and on or off the boat or
float plane at our beach. We strongly recommend submersible footwear such as sport sandals, water slippers,
or Holey Sole type rubber clogs. Such footwear is also useful for beaches, streams and hot days. Rubber boots
can be useful for keeping your feet dry while in camp, during inter-tidal walks and on some trails. For messing
about the camp, most people wear sneakers (comfy running or walking shoes). Your socks should provide
warmth and comfort, so you want the material to have good insulating properties as well as quick drying
properties to repel perspiration and other moisture (wool and synthetic fibres are both good options).
Need Help Planning, Preparing, or Purchasing?
Call us (see all contact information below) – we’re always happy to help with your specific questions. Friendly
and knowledgeable people can also be found at the following outdoor equipment retail and rental centres that
specialize in kayaking – they can help to recommend suitable items.
Canada:



Ocean River Sports www.oceanriver.com; 1824 Store St, Victoria; 1-800-909-4233
Comox Valley Kayaks: www.comoxvalleykayaks.com; 2020 Cliffe Ave., Courtenay; 1-888-545-5595
Mountain Equipment Co-op “MEC”: www.mec.ca; 1-888-847-0770
United States:

Recreational Equipment Incorporated “REI”: www.rei.com; 1-800-426-4840
Back to Table Of Contents
West Coast Expeditions
PO Box 3537, Courtenay, B.C., V9N 6Z8
www.westcoastexpeditions.com
6
(250) 338-2511 or 1-800-665-3040
Fax 1-888-224-0968
[email protected]
Base Camp Packing List
Essential Items We Recommend You Bring:
□ “3 Season” sleeping bag packed inside a waterproof bag (in a garbage bag inside a stuff sack or dry bag so
that it doesn’t get wet in transport) – with advance request, we have some sleeping bags with fleece liners
available to rent
□ Personal toiletries (facecloth, towel, toothbrush and paste, biodegradable soap, shampoo, etc.); note: we also
provide shampoo and conditioner at the shower
□ Personal medications: prescription and otherwise – we recommend a duplicate supply of any required meds
□ Spare pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses
□ Sunglasses with a leash/strap to avoid losing them while kayaking or hiking
□ Sun block (a minimum of SPF 15; SPF 30 or higher is better) – don’t forget about your nose, ears & lips! Zinc
oxide works well for noses and lips!
□ Sun hat (note: baseball caps don’t offer protection for ears, neck or shoulders)
□ Rain hat; and warm hat or toque (fleece or wool)
□ Flashlight or headlamp (with spare batteries)
□ Water bottle (1 litre or 1 quart size is perfect; water bladders with hoses can also work for kayaking)
□ Sneakers or lightweight hiking shoes
□ Submersible footwear (i.e., sport sandals, ‘Crocs’’, thick-soled neoprene booties)
□ Underwear & Socks (including warm socks or slippers for inside your tent)
□ Warm sweater (fleece or merino wool is best)
□ Quick drying synthetic pants and shorts (2 pairs each)
□ Quick drying long and short sleeve shirts (synthetic or merino wool)
□ Rain jacket and pants (for wind and rain protection)
Optional Items To Consider Bringing:
□ Extra clothing if you are prone to feeling cold, especially if it’s a high humidity week!
□ Paddling gloves (especially if you are prone to blisters or new to paddling)
□ Binoculars, Camera and spare batteries, waterproof box or dry bag for when on the water; adequate
memory cards or film; charger (we can recharge camera batteries in camp with our solar power system)
□ Some bed-time reading (you’re otherwise welcome to borrow from our library)
□ Lightweight frameless daypack for shoreline and forest walks
□ Drybag for carrying spare clothes when paddling (some are available to borrow)
□ Fishing license and fishing gear (if you wish to fish)
□ Rubber boots (very useful on wet days and when exploring the intertidal eelgrass mudflats)
□ Paddling jacket (some available to borrow)
□ Alcoholic beverages (for after paddling or to accompany the evening meal)
□ Insect repellent (especially if you are really sensitive to insects – we don’t tend to get many mosquitoes)
□ Bathing suit & towel (a smaller chamois-style “pack towel” that is quick-drying is often useful)
□ Cash or cheques for: local Native Art, WCE logo wear, Gratuities for guides & staff (see suggestions)
West Coast Expeditions
PO Box 3537, Courtenay, B.C., V9N 6Z8
www.westcoastexpeditions.com
7
(250) 338-2511 or 1-800-665-3040
Fax 1-888-224-0968
[email protected]
Items Not To Bring:
 Cotton jeans
 Cotton clothing for paddling and hiking (a cotton shirt, shorts, or pants for around camp are fine)
We Provide:
 Highly skilled & professional guides
 Kayaks and related kayaking equipment (skirt, pump, throw bag, paddle float, paddles, whistle, chart)
 Personal flotation jackets (PFD’s) designed for kayaking (required to be worn whenever on the water)
 Paddling jackets
 Dry bags for packing extra clothes during day trips
 Nutritious and delicious meals and snacks to keep your engine purring
 Comfortable base camp with dining shelter, outhouses, shower, tents, beds, pillows & educational resources
 Safety equipment: VHF radios, First Aid supplies, emergency signalling devices (e.g., flares), satellite phone
How Should I Pack?
During transport to Spring Island we do our best to protect luggage and people from the elements, but
sometimes the rugged west coast provides some “splash factor” to keep us on our toes. We recommend that
you pack using a duffle bag or backpack which is waterproof, or lined with 1-2 large plastic bags to keep your
contents dry. Alternately, if you already own large dry bags for canoe tripping or other outdoor/marine
adventures, these are obviously a great choice…but not necessary to go purchase for your trip with us. Please
also do the same for any daypacks, camera equipment or hand-luggage that you bring.
If you have any questions about how you should pack, please call for assistance – we’re happy to help.
We look forward to hosting you on your west coast adventure this season – Please call or
email us if you have any questions or concerns before your trip.
Back to Table Of Contents
West Coast Expeditions
PO Box 3537, Courtenay, B.C., V9N 6Z8
www.westcoastexpeditions.com
8
(250) 338-2511 or 1-800-665-3040
Fax 1-888-224-0968
[email protected]