Photo by Doug Taylor

The Trip

During the months of June and July 2010 I hope to circumnavigate the entire archipelago of Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands) in British Columbia, Canada.

I will set off from the Village of Queen Charlotte and paddle counter-clockwise around Graham Island. After returning to the Village of Queen Charlotte via Skidegate Channel I will paddle around Moresby Island, travelling clockwise.

I am paddling solo. This will mean that I must rely on my own seamanship to ensure that the decision to paddle each day is a safe one.

The total distance is about 500 nautical miles. I have allowed up to 60 days door to door. I do not expect to be away this long but need to ensure that I have enough spare time to cope with multiple days of being "weathered in".

If you want to check the weather I am facing in Haida Gwaii, click on "Haida Gwaii marine weather forecast" in the Links section on the right.

When Doug Taylor and I paddled around Vancouver Island in 2008 we were able to make blog entries of text and photographs using laptop PCs that our wives brought to re-supply stops en route. On this trip I will only be able to do blog entries at the start and end of the trip, and once (possibly twice) during the body of the journey. However, friends wanting to see where I have reached will be able to visit this blog to check the daily SPOT message (see the box below).

Safety equipment will include two VHF radios, two SPOT satellite messengers, personal locator beacon, GPS, parachute flares, laser flare, body tether (to prevent separation from the boat in case of capsize), bear spray and bear bangers.

IMPORTANT NOTE

If the daily SPOT messages cease it does not necessarily mean I am having serious problems other than issues with SPOT. In any case, I have a comprehensive communications plan in place so if the OK messages stop PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE COAST GUARD!!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

End of Haida Gwaii Trip

Jonathan has completed the whole of Graham Island, which is the northernmost and largest part of the Haida Gwaii islands, and got back to base last night. Unfortunately he has experienced huge seas and adverse conditions and about three days ago he sustained an injury to his hand which means that he has had to cancel the rest of the trip. He is fine and is on his way home. He is due to arrive home in the wee small hours of Sunday night. We cannot wait to see him!

William, Clare and I are immensely proud of his achievement and are sorry that he cannot continue but relieved that he has made a sensible judgement about his ability to carry on.

Please leave him comments for him to read when he gets home.

Best wishes

Anne Reggler
Posted by at

2 comments:

  1. nwflightJune 19, 2010 at 12:40 PM

    Thank you for letting us enjoy the trip with you.It is on my bucket list. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  2. DaveJune 26, 2010 at 8:33 PM

    Well Done. It was interesting following the spot marks on the map. Looking forward to hearing about the adventures.

    Cheers

    Dave

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)