Olympic Break: Northeast Vancouver Island

Another necessary escape during the Olympics, this time to the Northeast coast of Vancouver Island. Hopped on a ferry to Naniamo and made it as far north as Miracle Beach (between Campbell River and Comox). It was a short two night trip but covered the important aspects of the island; kayaking, marine life, massive trees, unsurpassed sunrises and top notch camping food.

A local guy watching these California Sea Lions with his kids said the herring run on the island was exceptional this year so they stayed north for the prolonged feast.

He also said they were so obnoxious and loved that specific dock the fisherman installed a 10,000 volt electric fence to keep them in line.

Tesia at Miracle Beach

Miracle Beach

Skipping Rocks at Miracle Beach

Miracle Beach

Miracle Beach

Kayaking along a sunkenship-breakwater in Comox harbor.

Olympic Break: Deep Cove Canoe Day-Trip

Although Vancouver is stunning during the Olympics, one can only handle the city shenanigans for so long. Time to escape to one of Vancouver's many easy yet gorgeous day trips. Launched the canoe in Deep Cove followed the shoreline up the Indian Arm.

Stopped at a dock with under a nice cliff...

Nark and Theresa

It was so warm and the sun was too bright. Great day for canoeing but not healthy for the scarce snow in the midst of the winter Olympics.

Jug Island

Deep Cove, with a rowing team practicing in the bay

Callaghan Valley Skiing

Kongsberg Touring 300
This was my first trip to the Callaghan Country ski trails, and it was pretty much a day long waxing experiment....

....and my conclusion: LEARN HOW TO WAX SKIS or moreover BC is not MN! A good couple inches of very sticky snow on the bottom of those skis made for a very exciting day.

Callaghan Lake

Callaghan Lake

I chose my setup to be the opposite of high-tec: wooden skis with triple prong binders and old leather duck foot boots, bamboo poles, flannel lined jeans and a wool sweater.

On my way back down the Mainline trail with a breathtaking view of the not so black Black Tusk.
Day one from parking lot to Callaghan Lake and back, total distance: 19km

The second time went up to the Callaghan was the last weekend before they closed to the public for the Olympics. The snow was much warmer and turned out to be less sticky, whoda thunk.

Solitude Glacier and some wild pillows on the left.

Creek on coming out from the glacier

Heading down Wild Spirit and Real Life trails

Fog in the woods

Very nice fella named Brad who owns the joint stopped to make sure I wasn't having any problems. There was a very nice stand of old growth yellow cedars I passed through, here a big Hemlock on the left.
Day two from the parking up Mainline lot to Solitude Glacier and down Wild Spirit, total distance: 31km

Trail map:
http://www.callaghancountry.com/trailhead/documents/20092010trailmap.pdf