I received the call I'd been waiting for. Sue and Robin were in Sullivan Bay this morning showering up and recharging the sat phone, before heading to Echo Bay for the evening. They are now right in the heart of the Broughton Archipelago, some of the finest paddling and rowing waters anywhere. Good place to hold up as well. Dale McKinnon informs me that a front of some strength is moving in that may keep them in Echo Bay for a few days. Not a bad spot to hold up.
Sue and Robin have had an incredible string of almost 24 days of row able weather.
So after they left Addenbrook light Station they made it to the south side of Smith Sound and a place called Red Beach. The next day, they completed rounding Cape Caution and settled into Shelter Bay for the night. The next day proved to be their longest day reaching Lewis Cove after a straight
eleven hours of rowing, never getting out of the boat. Apparently they had stiff SE winds, and enough swells that their bilge pump kicked in for much of that time.
The next day (today) was easier and shorter bringing them to Sullivan Bay.
From Echo Bay they will pass Mamaliaculla (Village Island), the site of a long sense abandoned Indian School and clinic. A young newly graduated nurse, Hughina Harold describes the years she spent there as school nursing during the 1930's, in Totem Poles and Tea, a time and world that no longer exists. From there they will head towards Mistrel Island before joining up with Johnstone Strait, Port Neville, and Sunderland Channel.
A day or two after Sunderland Channel they have to deal with Green Point, Dent and Yuculta rapids, some of the fastest tide rapids on the BC coast. After these are behind them, they will be heading to Desolation Sound, where cheese burgers await in Refuge Cove. From there is a day or two to Powell
River and the jumping off point to the crossing of Straits of Georgia to Nanaimo.
Once they get to Nanaimo, weather permitting they are about a week from home. Nanaimo may be the best point other rowers who want to tag along to join them. Rowing down through the Gulf Island is calm and offers lots to good camping spots.
