Vancouver Island 2012

So recently I was lucky enough to get two weeks off and head out on a bit of a paddling road trip with some of the boys. Originally we had planned to head to Terrace up in NW BC. However it was not to be, like the southern interior the NW was experiencing similar high water.
Essentially bar the local classics our only option was Vancouver Island. We had some good beta that the Northern half of the island had great water levels so we made a beeline there.

We ended up getting stuck in Revy for a day as a massive land slide closed the road but nonetheless we trucked on and made the island in 2days.

Our first Destination was Gold River. This is a really cool little town with a great swimming pool and pub and endless camping opportunities on the forestry roads surrounding town. Within a 20min drive from our camp there are 5 or 6 classics and 3 or which all posses the same takeout which is pretty epic!!! If you are thinking of heading here a 4wd or something with high clearance and sturdy tires is a must. The logging roads are rough to say the least!

We managed to get on 4 great runs here. The Pamela, Upana, Ukona and Heber. Some sick rapids and waterfalls on all of them!

From here we went North to Port Mcneil/Telegraph Cove area. We made it on the Kokish which was in my top 3 runs of all time. A classic endless barrage of 4+ boulder gradens stacked on top of one another in an absolutely spectacular green gorge.

Enjoy some of the photos from the trip.

Camp 1

Our Secret Gold River Stakeout

Heber Put In

The Heber, Right in Town

Pamela

Pamela

Now that is a large tree....

BC EPIC

Clean 20, Ukona

Upana

Middle KH IN FLOOOOD STAGE

The Kokish...EPIC

Kokish Hydro Project

Kokish..

Unfortunately the Kokish is yet another pristine Eco System lost to Hydro Development. We were quite likely the last group to paddle this run free running. It is a run of the river diversion but none the less an ecosystem lost to demand for power.

The Project Manager asked me if I had a better solution....Yes I do...less demand, less consumption..

Quite Simple Really.

Blair

Vancouver Island 2012

So recently I was lucky enough to get two weeks off and head out on a bit of a paddling road trip with some of the boys. Originally we had planned to head to Terrace up in NW BC. However it was not to be, like the southern interior the NW was experiencing similar high water.
Essentially bar the local classics our only option was Vancouver Island. We had some good beta that the Northern half of the island had great water levels so we made a beeline there.

We ended up getting stuck in Revy for a day as a massive land slide closed the road but nonetheless we trucked on and made the island in 2days.

Our first Destination was Gold River. This is a really cool little town with a great swimming pool and pub and endless camping opportunities on the forestry roads surrounding town. Within a 20min drive from our camp there are 5 or 6 classics and 3 or which all posses the same takeout which is pretty epic!!! If you are thinking of heading here a 4wd or something with high clearance and sturdy tires is a must. The logging roads are rough to say the least!

We managed to get on 4 great runs here. The Pamela, Upana, Ukona and Heber. Some sick rapids and waterfalls on all of them!

From here we went North to Port Mcneil/Telegraph Cove area. We made it on the Kokish which was in my top 3 runs of all time. A classic endless barrage of 4+ boulder gradens stacked on top of one another in an absolutely spectacular green gorge.

Enjoy some of the photos from the trip.

Camp 1

Our Secret Gold River Stakeout

Heber Put In

The Heber, Right in Town

Pamela

Pamela

Now that is a large tree....

BC EPIC

Clean 20, Ukona

Upana

Middle KH IN FLOOOOD STAGE

The Kokish...EPIC

Kokish Hydro Project

Kokish..

Unfortunately the Kokish is yet another pristine Eco System lost to Hydro Development. We were quite likely the last group to paddle this run free running. It is a run of the river diversion but none the less an ecosystem lost to demand for power.

The Project Manager asked me if I had a better solution....Yes I do...less demand, less consumption..

Quite Simple Really.

Blair

Didymo, An Invasive Algae. Albertas Rivers are at risk!! Help Stop the Spread

Didymo or commonly referred to as Rock Snot is an extemely invasive algae that has been documented in the Bow, Red Deer and Old man rivers back in 2004 and perhaps back into the mid 90's depending on where you look.

If you don't know what Didymo is Here are a few links so you can get an idea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didymosphenia_geminata

http://www.orvisnews.com/FlyFishing/Video-A-Didymo-Diary.aspx

Long story short it is an invasive algae originating most likely from the NE USA. Like its nickname it grows on rocks and looks like long strands of yellow snot. It essentially deoxygenates the water, consequently damages fish and marine life habitat and blankets the floor of a river.
It is easily transportable and can survive out of water for up to 48 hours.

Being from NZ I have seen first hand what this species does to rivers, streams and lakes.

If you have been at the weir this spring yet you will notice a lot of this stuff floating around in the eddies there. The bloom has been particularly bad this spring, I am guessing due to the mild winter in Calgary this year.
I am really concerned that not due to any individuals fault but due to a lack of education and knowledge out there about this that we as a kayaking community are going to unintentionally spread this to other pristine watersheds such as the elbow, sheep, cataract etc and potentially across the border in the close by creeks of Interior BC!!!
This to me is a major issue and the word needs to be spread throughout the paddling community ASAP.

I have been in touch with Alberta Environment and they to deem this as an extremely high priority. There will very soon be signage erected at the weir location and hopefully wash bays for washing gear.

I realize paddlers have been using the bow ever since this was first found however the bloom this spring is exceeding anything yet seen in the bow and the increased usage at the weir with high concentrations of Didymo collecting and circulating in the eddies provides an easy opportunity for transport.


To eliminate the risk of transporting Didymo to another watershed all gear used must be soaked in a 5% solution for 1 minute. The Solution can be biodegradable, river friendly dishwashing soap amongst numerous other solutions. Then a quick rinse in fresh water
The other option is gear must be dried and then stay dry for a full 48 hours!!!!
I will attach a table showing results of different products for killing Didymo.

I would strongly encourage people after using the bow to start a habit of washing their gear before moving to another river!!!!!!

It would be a huge shame for our local creeks and waterways further abroad to become infected with this. It is unfortunate that this is here in the first place bit it is here to stay and like back home washing your gear is something that will just have to become the norm...

If anyone else has any more info or proven ways on disinfecting gear that is a little more environmentally friendly please share it and please share this post around.

Blair