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Will My Gaiters Bite Me?

If you are a backpacker or hiker, you may have heard about gaiters, so you know they won't bite you. If you haven't heard of gaiters, you are probably still wondering if they will take a hunk out of a leg. Well, let out a sigh of relief. Gaiters are a very helpful bit of equipment for a lot of hiking terrain.

If you have ever hiked on or off trail and encountered snow, water, or mud, you probably wished you had some way to keep your bootlaces and socks dry. Gaiters have a strap that fits under your boot. The strap is connected to a piece of fabric that goes around your lower leg and connects to your laces. This piece of fabric covers the bootlace and the top of your boot. On snow, the gaiters prevent snow from going into your boot; the same coverage works for mud. Water is a little trickier. On beaches or sandy areas, gaiters can also help keep sand and gravel out of your boots.

Keeping these things out of boots helps prevent blisters and pain. Anything that makes hiking more comfortable can be considered a good friend. Wear gaiters and you will definitely have a new friend for life.

Improving your kayaking skills makes it more enjoyable. Try working on edging and turninghttp://bit.ly/oF6K6K

Looks like we are leaving for the UK tomorrow. After MANY phone calls to airlines, we have things set...maybe...

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We are honored to be personally thanked by Google. Check this out.

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New Destinations on the Horizon

Currently working on setting up kayaking trips and instruction in Kitimat, as well as hiking and canoeing trips in Tweedsmuir. It's all up to the permitting gods at this point. Wish us luck.

West Coast Trail Tip #5-What to Bring and Not

The gear you bring on the West Coast Trail need some thought. Because it is coastal, the climate begs for some planning on how to stay warm, if not dry. In this fifth article in the series, we tell you the key things you need to bring on the trail to make it through with some reasonable comfort. Check out Tips for Trips for this next installment.

Rivers are Coming Up-Slowly...Get Your Paddles Ready

Our local Cowichan River has come up a good two feet in the last few weeks and we are seeing some flow. That means that the river kayaking season is on us. If La Nina has any say in it, we will get a few weeks of paddling before the rain levels come bombing in on us and drive the river to spate with all the features washed out and the waters roaring down like mad. This may make for some good runs in dam controlled rivers as water releases may increase to accommodate the increased rainfall. La Nina is expected to begin to weaken in late Spring, so we may see some decent weather in the summer.

The Adventure Blog: Freya Hoffmeister Talks Paddling Around Australia ...

The Adventure Blog: Freya Hoffmeister Talks Paddling Around Australia ...: "Freya Hoffmeister has earned the distinction of being named Canoe & Kayak magazine's Adventurer of the Year. In case you've forgotten about ..."

West Coast Trail Tip #4-Food for the Trip

One big question we get all the time about our hiking trips is, "How can you have such good food?" We give away some of our secrets in West Coast Trail Tip #4 in the Tips for Trips page.

West Coast Trail Tip #3-Transportation In and Out

The next West Coast Trail tip installment in Tips for Trips has just been released.

West Coast Trail Tip # 2-Date Considerations

See more of this months West Coast Trail info with Tip #2 in Tips for Trips.

West Coast Trail Tip # 1-Trip Planning

Shift over to Tips for Trips to see the latest tip about the West Coast Trail.

Rivers are Beginning to Fill

The river kayaking season is about to start on Vancouver Island as the rains begin to fill the rivers with water. A number of us have packed up the sea kayaks and have pulled out the river boats in anticipation of the start of the season. Come join us for a paddle!

Moonlight Paddle...with not so Much Moonlight

On Friday evening, October 22nd, we took the Grade 7 and 8 classes of Sunrise Waldorf School out on a moonlight paddle. This was a second paddle this Fall for each class, having done the basics a few weeks before.

Each class paddled on one side of Maple Bay, near Duncan, BC, on Vancouver Island. Grade 7 paddled across the inner harbor and then further down into Bird's Eye Cove, while the Grade 8 class paddles along the north shore and just into Sansum Narrows, between Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island.

Both groups were dazzled by the phosphorescence in the water. The bioluminescent organisms in the water gave a tremendous show as our paddles and our boats moved through the water. It was a great trip.

New West Coast Trail Squidoo Lens

We've created a Squidoo Lens about the West Coast Trail. It has basic information about taking a hike on the West Coast Trail, whether it is a DIY tour or a fully guided one. Click: West Coast Trail Squidoo Lens.

The Touring Season is Over for 2010!

Now into October and the weather is changing. The guiding season is over and the play, preparation, and learning season for us is just beginning.

We have trainings, re-certifications,and practice to do-and in some of the most interesting conditions!

Part of our off-season is to sort through the massive numbers of photos and video that we took during our tours and trickle them out to you-the best of the best.

Keep an eye out for yourself or friends as the memories pile up on the blog.

Until the next post....cheers!

Gulf Islands Sea Kayaking - Trip to Rum Island

 

Paddling from Sidney, cross to Sidney Spit. It is often easier to carry kayaks over the spit than paddle all the way around it. From the northeast side of the spit, island hop to Forrest Is. and Rubly Is. over to Gooch Is. The more interesting side is the north side. Travel along this north side of Gooch to Rum Island. Look for the National Park sign.

On your crossings, watch for the wind, especially if it will be opposing current. It can get pretty choppy out there. Also watch our for Washington State Ferries passing through the channel.

Gulf Islands' Sidney Spit Sea Kayaking Virtual Tour

 

Check out this day trip to Sidney Spit by sea kayak. Mornings are usually the best time to kayak over because the wind can kick up in the afternoons. We show a panorama of the spit from the water, walk through the day use area, and pick up a heron "strolling" along the spit. This is a great place for a short sea kayaking trip from Victoria.

Update to Paddlefest Attendance

Stats from MEC's Michael Pardy show that there were more people out on the water at this year's paddle fest than last year. I can say that the off-beach vendor's area had much less traffic.

It looks like more and more people are taking advantage of the short, on-water instructional sessions than ever before, but not so interested in gear, equipment, and tours.

We will definitely be reconsidering attendance next year if the format stays the same, as are a number of other vendors, so they say.

All in all, good for people getting on the water, not very economical for other businesses to spend a day with very little traffic going their way. Hmmm?