John Harvey Photo

Spider Anchorage to Cultus Sound

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We woke up in Spider Anchorage - a pristine environment unlike any I had seen before.  I had to go for a Kayak and see more - never mind that it was raining!  The previous day (purple on the map) we paddled west to see Breadner Point and hopefully the World War 2 gun implement (which apparently was fired in anger).  We were held up by the lack of suitable landing location and me getting sick.  I was determined to get a long kayak in today.  Mike agreed to go with me while Ruth (the on board naturalist) took most of the guests to the Edna Islands to look at Tide pools.

Raining in Kayak

Thin Water in Stopper Group

We started the paddle at low tide with lots of visibility.  The whole Spider Anchorage area seems to be made out of solid granite so there were lots of exposed walls which life was clinging too.  As we paddled up Spider Channel we would stop at the rock walls to marvel at the life that was exposed by the load tide.  The giant green sea anemones are very vivid and attract your eye.  The star fish are everywhere, trying to squeeze themselves into the smallest darkest wet cracks available.

Purple Stars Clinging to RocksGiant Green Sea AnenomesWall with Stars and Anemone

The paddle was long but invigorating.  We would see birds flying overhead (good luck photographing them in a Kayak with 50mm lens in a waterproof bag and a gentle sprinkling of rain.  Beyond the wildlife, the geology of this area really took my eye.

Rock Slab in Spider Anchorage

After a good long paddle we were back at the ship and looking for the Dingy.  The captain had gone fishing and everyone else was on shore on a declining piece of beach.  Mike called for the Dingy and we were soon enough back on board the Curve Of Time.

Waiting for Pick Up



Cultus Sound
Cultus Sound Anchorage

By now it's got to be lunch time!  We pulled up anchor and set sail north to Cultus Sound.  Cultus Sound is about 2 hours north at 6 knots but the geography and wildlife is noticeably different.  We arrived in Cultus Sound in the early afternoon and surveyed our new surroundings.  We weren't the first people here!  On the beach (and this was one of the rare sandy beaches on our trip) there was a massive double Kayak with the contents disgorged and a nice camp nestled in the woods.

Kayaking Camp on the Beach

First we went for a hike (the first time I had walked on solid ground in more than a day).  Mike took us into the beach on the Zodiak and we marveled at the cool formations the water had carved into the multi coloured sand.  On the eastern side of the beach we found (and then ignored until Mike urged us on) a rough trail that goes over the point to the beach on the other side.

Stream Under LogsStream Delta

Half way between the beaches we found a tree coved with Fungus.  This particular tree (a hemlock I think) sports two Artist's Fungus on the right hand side and Angel's Wings on the right.

Artist's Fungus and Angel's Wings on HemlockAngel's Wings on Hemlock

We broke through to the other side to see what we first thought was a lagoon.  This bay is stained brown from all the cedar run off.

Cedar Stained Ocean

We came back to the boat, had dinner and then went out for a very enjoyable (but difficult to photograph) sunset Kayak.

Next: Bella Bella



Giant Green Sea Anenomes
Tags: beach, tide pool
Wall with Stars and Anemone
Tags: kelp
Cedar Stained Ocean
Location: Go To...
Tags: beach
Kayaking Camp on the Beach
Tags: beach, camping
Stream Under Logs
Tags: beach
Stream Delta
Tags: beach
Rock Slab in Spider Anchorage
Tags: coast, rock
Cultus Sound Anchorage
Location: Go To...
Tags: coast
Artist's Fungus and Angel's Wings on Hemlock
Tags: mushroom, tree
Angel's Wings on Hemlock
Tags: mushroom
Thin Water in Stopper Group
Tags: beach, kayaking
Purple Stars Clinging to Rocks
Tags: kayaking, rock
Waiting for Pick Up
Tags: beach
Raining in Kayak
Tags: kayaking, rain
Tags: beach(7), kayaking(3), rock(2), coast(2), mushroom(2), rain(1)
From: John Harvey Photo > Mid Coast of BC on the Curve of Time > Spider Anchorage to Cultus Sound
From: John Harvey Photo > John's Overnight Page > Mid Coast of BC on the Curve of Time > Spider Anchorage to Cultus Sound
From: John Harvey Photo > Mid Coast of BC on the Curve of Time > Namu to Spider Anchorage > Spider Anchorage to Cultus Sound
From: John Harvey Photo > John's Overnight Page > Mid Coast of BC on the Curve of Time > Namu to Spider Anchorage > Spider Anchorage to Cultus Sound

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Last Modified Saturday, January 21st, 2023 at 23:38:59 Edit
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