FORGOTTEN TOTEMS OF CHAATL
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Every year I try to visit the village of Chaatl to see how the century old totems poles have weathered the west coast winter. This is a unique coastal expedition for experienced kayakers who wish to explore the path less travelled. Having toured this area on many occasions I have yet to find another sea kayaker, and I am proud to say that Ocean Sound Kayaking is the only outfitter travelling these remote waters. Highlights of this tour might include watching an obstructed sunset, making a sauna with the endless supply of drift wood, or hiking in the alpine where in many places comes to the ocean's edge, or watching Mother Nature unleash a mighty pacific storm from the safety of your remote camp.

Other Tours: The Remote Central Coast | Hot Springs to the Totems of the Pacific | Native Totems of Gwaii Haanas | Wild BC Salmon

The tour begins and ends in Skidegate Channel. Travelling west through the channel, that divides Graham and Moresby Islands, brings us to the village of Chaatl. Chaatl is home to the only frontal poles on our Canadian Coast.

From Chaatl village, the tour heads south along the west coast of Moresby Island towards Englefield Bay. This is the largest bay in the Queen Charlottes and is rich in pre and post contact history, while offering wilderness in its truest form. With the Continental Shelf plummeting into the ocean the water here is wealthy in marine wildlife and boasts some fantastic fishing opportunities.

Our camp in Englefield Bay will be made on the sandy beaches of Gold Harbor. The harbor gets its name from the voyage of Captain Gray in the late 1800's as he had found gold amongst the Haida in the area. This abandoned village still attracts gold prospectors. A kayak daytrip from Gold Harbor to Security Inlet, an area known for its cathedral old growth forests, out-rivals any forest walk found on the Queen Charlotte Islands.

The opportunity to circumnavigate Hibben Island, the main island in the Englefield Bay allows guests to explore the areas many treasures. Back dropping most of the area is Mount Moresby, the tallest mountain on the Queen Charlotte Islands. From its alpine peak, a 1500ft cascading waterfall is an impressive site from many of our camps. The southern shore of the Island allows kayakers to explore one of the fjords on route. Here bedrock from the alpine comes to the oceans edge allowing for easy access for a hike and a swim in one of the many unnamed lakes. The western shore of Hibben Island allows us to enjoy an established Stellar Sea Lion haul out, while the opportunity of viewing a migrating humpback whale is highly possible. Kayaking north, we will make camp on the western extremities of Chaatl Island. Weather permitting paddlers may visit the sandy beaches of Gudal and Tana Bay, which span more than 2 miles and where beachcombing for Japanese Glass Balls is my favourite pasttime.

Please note that Mother Nature has the final word on tour itineraries and the above is just a general overview.
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2013 TOUR SCHEDULE
All prices are in Canadian Dollars and include park fees.
5% GST NOT INCLUDED in pricing.