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
