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

"Injury stops play"

Thanks to Anne Reggler for her post about me having to quit.

Thanks also to those of you who have been so supportive of my attempt to circumnavigate Haida Gwaii, and for following my blog to see how I have been fairing.

I have written a detailed explanation of my decision to stop on the West Coast Paddler website. For anyone interested enough to see it the post can be found at
http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3931&p=55028#p55028

Jonathan Reggler
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 19, 2010 at 7:18 PM

    I have been vicariously following along with great admiration and interest. Relieved you are safe and making the right kind of decisions.
    Doug

    ReplyDelete
  2. D CJune 26, 2010 at 8:20 AM

    Jonathan,
    Well done on the paddling expedition. Sorry to hear that your trip was cut short, but it seems you made a very wise decision to stop.
    You should most definitely feel proud of yourself for completing what you did.
    Dave

    ReplyDelete

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