Editorial
Wilderness Travels is an on-line guide dedicated to exploring wilderness recreational adventures in British Columbia and elsewhere. As well, we are an advocate of keeping wilderness areas of this province intact, and to protect our precious wildlife, which make trekking in the wilderness, whether by foot, kayak, canoe or sail, the wonderful experience that it is. We believe that we humans must share the environment with our fellow animals, and that includes the habitat and food necessary to support them. We ask people who want to explore our wilderness to respect it, and leave it in the same condition they found it in, like the First Nations have done for thousands of years.
To find out about news affecting our environment check out some of the non-profit groups who follow issues concerning our wildlife and their habitat. Go to our non-profit links page below.
News
• Overpopualtion and Wildlife Preservation: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/
• Wild Salmon Narrows Must be Cleared of Fish Farms http://www.georgiastrait.org
• Ocras in Georgia Strait Region Still at Risk http://www.georgiastrait.org
• What's at Stake? Raincoast Video on West Coast http://www.youtube.com
Events
Free for BC outdoor events. To list your event with Wilderness Travels: editor@wildernesstravels.com
PACIFIC RIM WHALE FESTIVAL
• VANCOUVER ISLAND, March 6-14, 2010
www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com
Celebrate the annual migration of over 20,000 Grey Whales off the shores of Canada's Pacific Rim by Tofino, Ucluelet, and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve during this coastal festival including wildlife sighting excursions, First Nations and culinary events, art shows, and more.
Non-Profit Links & NEWS
Free for non-profit organizations. To list with Wilderness Travels: editor@wildernesstravels.com
Raincoast Conservation Foundation
Vancouver Island organization founded 'to protect the lands, waters and wildlife of the Great Bear Rainforest'.
http://www.raincoast.org/
Georgia Strait Alliance
Citizen's group protecting the marine environment in and around the whole Strait of Georgia.
http://www.georgiastrait.org/
Spaces For Nature
Sunshine Coast non-profit dedicated to the protection of BC’s wilderness. See what is protected here.
http://www.spacesfornature.org/
Sunshine Coast Conservation Association
A volunteer association representing over thirty local conservation and community groups.
http://www.thescca.ca/
Friends of Bute Inlet
Valhalla Wilderness Society
http://www.savespiritbear.org/index.html
Dogwood Initiative
http://www.dogwoodinitiative.org/
BC Wildlife Federation
Recreational Sports
Whitewater kayaking in ocean rapids?
That's what these dare-devil kayakers come up to Egmont at the top of the Sunshine Coast to discover.
The Skookumchuck Narrows is located in the provincial park of the same name a few kilometres north of Pender Harbour. The narrow channel separates the Sechelt Inlet from Jervis Inlet at the mouth of Georgia Strait, and the difference in water levels from one side to the other can reach over 2 metres (6 feet) in height. This happens during tide changes, and with a 3 metre tide there is as much as 200 million gallons of water flowing between the two inlets, creating rapids as exciting - and powerful - as any river rapids.
Current speeds are often more than 30 km/hour, and around the rapids whirlpools form. The whitewater is explosive during these tide changes and there can be up to thirty or so white-water kayakers experiencing different aspects of the phenomenon.
Some shoot the rapids, others find they can
master the great waves and balance in the
same spot for several minutes at a time. The
whirlpools though are dangerous, and the
whole experience is not for novices.
Local outfitters in Egmont supply kayaks, and can show you how to get to the rapids, and when the best times to go are. And the Sunshine Coast is not that far from Vancouver. And there's lots more to do there besides.
The park itself is 123 hectares and has several trails, most leading down to the rapids. For the hiker this is a pleasant and easy trek through large second-growth trees to see the spectacular rapids, waterfowl, and the mountains across the inlet. Bring a camera. For video enthusiasts these rapids with the kayakers doing dare-devil stunts will give you an exciting film to show of your visit to Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park.
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VideoDocumentary on Ocean Falls Watch this insightful documentary on life in BC's small and isolated coastal communities. Directed and produced by Tony Papa through CBC, this film looks at the Heiltsuk First Nations, their culture and changes over the last century. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBVWn6eUw8E
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