Training Log Archive: Bash

Lemmens Inlet sea kayaking from Tofino

'Bent and I went through the long procedure to rent two slow plastic kayaks. Things could go wrong so they want to know that you can navigate with a chart, you understand today's tides and marine forecast, you've been trained in kayak rescue, you know where the currents get dangerous, you understand all the safety gear you've been given, etc.

We didn't see any other kayaks out there today - perhaps not surprisingly. The weather was perfect - not a drop of rain while we were on the water but it rained before and after. That seems to be the secret to enjoying Tofino - preparing for rain at all times and being tremendously grateful if it's dry. To be fair, the locals tell us this is an unusually rainy spring.

We crossed the harbour channel, navigating through islands to get to Meares Island, which is indigenous land with some residences. Lemmens Inlet is a huge bay in the island, which means the waters are fairly well protected.



We started just before high tide so we made a point of paddling through areas that would get very shallow later.









The weather improved as the day went on. We could see the mountain tops and there was even some sunshine.





We spent a lot of time poking along the shore, checking out the trees and the intertidal zone.





We saw bald eagles regularly.



We paddled around a number of oyster farms.



We took a long lunch break in a little cove near the north end of Lemmens Inlet.



There was a surprise during lunch. What's wrong with this picture?



We loved this paddle!

[Time deducted for lunch break.]

The weather forecast was 100% chance of heavy rain with a Gale Warning in the marine forecast so 'Bent and I went storm watching. We spent most of our time wandering around South Beach then finished with a hike on Wickaninnish Beach (not logged).



As usual, we started with a rainforest hike.





Then we had a reminder of Carbon's Offset, Carbon, Revy and the rest of Team Wild Rose.



We spent most of our time in the South Beach area, where we saw no one but were warned about a family of bears. We assume the family includes the small bear we saw yesterday.

We found a quiet cove to explore.





This bit of exploring would have been a bad choice if the tide were coming in.



The strong wind, pelting rain and crashing waves were the major attractions today - not that many other people seemed to think so.







Here's Wickaninnish Beach where we saw a handful of other people.



[Elapsed time was higher - lots of photo stops.]

'Bent and I went back to Ucluelet to hike the coastal section of the Wild Pacific Trail. This might be the best trail in the area. The rainforest is beautiful.





The trail building is excellent and quirky.





As promised the views of the Pacific are wild! There are spectacular lookouts everywhere. It's mesmerizing to watch the waves crash in. We stopped for a picnic lunch along the way.

On our way back, we went for a shorter hike at Florencia Bay.





And then another hike along the south end of Wickaninnish Beach.





There were lots of surfers.



I noticed a dark object in the intertidal zone about 200 meters away.



It was a small bear munching on crabs. We watched him for a while. He showed no sign that he knew we were there.

We awoke to a mystery. Where was the rain?



We'd booked a group kayak trip to Meares Island. We had wanted a longer trip but there were limited offerings at this time of year and other people had signed up earlier. So at least this short trip got us out on the water.



The good local companies are cautious about renting kayaks to independent paddlers. We would have to provide a resume and be approved. You can't just look at the weather and rent a boat. To be fair, west coast paddling involves some strong tides and currents, and I'll bet they've had to rescue some people.





Tofino Harbour is a pretty area. The tide was falling and we saw lots of starfish and sea anemones.





When we got to Meares Island, our guide led us on a short interpretive hike on the Big Tree Trail, a rare area of old growth rainforest.











When we got back, we drove up Radar Hill, an abandoned Cold War facility.



We spent an hour hiking on popular Chesterman Beach.





We finished the day with one of the most pandemic-friendly restaurants in the area - the Surfside grill.

Big Tree Trail on Meares Island, stops deducted. GPS track included in paddle.

Brisk walk up and down Chesterman Beach with 'Bent. Beautiful beach homes!

'Bent and I went to Ucluelet and started by hiking the Lighthouse Loop portion of the Wild Pacific Trail. It's easy to see why ships used to wreck along the west coast of Vancouver Island.



The rainforest was just as beautiful as the ocean views.



Although I do like ocean views.



We also did some scrambling in the intertidal zone in a couple of places.



We finished with an interpretive trail where we learned about bogs and thought of Hammer.



[Elapsed time 90 mins]

Then we had lunch at a food truck.



We visited the Ucluelet Aquarium, which operates on a catch and release model. All these sea critters are vacationing for a few months in a fancy AirBnB with all meals provided.





My new favourite is the Puget Sound King Crab. (The orange and red creature next to the sea anemone.)



We went to Big Beach to see the mystery shipwreck from the 1800s.



And to the small craft harbour, because 'Bent likes boats almost as much as he likes marine biology.



Amazingly, the rain stopped for hours and we actually saw the sun set out back. We're told the rainy weather is unusual for June. It's almost as if the climate is changing.