The Nuchatlitz area is a favorite area for many kayaking guides. The area is remote, so there are no crowds, only perhaps another kayaking group in the area. The paddling is mostly easy, with no difficulty in good weather, but the possibility of getting just at the edge and feeling the Pacific swell. The Nuchatlitz area really covers both the north and south entrances to Esperanza Inlet.
On Vancouver Island, take Highway 1 past Campbell River. Look for the sign to Zeballos, turning off to the west. This turnoff is about 3 hours out of Nanaimo This is a gravel logging road, so caution is the key to making this leg of the journey. It takes about a bit more than an hour to wind your way to Zeballos Once there, it is helpful to ask the locals for the best place to put in, but the bridge at Little Espinosa Inlet is usually a good place.
How to Get Out to the Best Kayaking Areas
There are two choices for getting out to the best kayaking areas. The first is simply launching from the Zeballos area and paddling out there. This usually takes an overnight to get there. Nuchatlitz Provincial Park is about 10 nautical miles from Little Espinosa Inlet. Catala Island Provincial Park is about 11 nautical miles. There are a couple of campsites along the way. Morning paddling is usually the best, as the wind can pick up in these inlets in the early afternoon due to thermal effects. Strong paddlers may be able to make it to Nuchatlitz or Catala on the first day if they leave early enough.
The second way is to pay for passage to one of these drop off points. Water taxi service in the area is able to do this, and many kayakers take this option to avoid the long paddle to get there. Zeballos Expeditions will take passengers out to the areas and rent them kayaks. A number of guide outfitters operate in the area, leading guided tours.
What to Look for in the Nuchatlitz Provincial Park
The Nuchatlitz Provincial Park is only a small section of the great kayaking in this area. The park consists of a group of small islands and islets off Nootka Island, as well as a small section of Nootka Island itself. The small islands provide protection from Pacific swell, but are truly wild. The small beaches are sandy and inviting, and about as remote as it comes. Across the small section of water to Nootka Island, some evidence of first nations settlement still exist, and parts are reserve lands. This section of Nootka Islands curls back onto itself, creating a lagoon area. This is a very interesting day paddle. Heading around this section, past Ensanada Islet goes into the actual Nuchatlitz Inlet. Although more exposed, this is an incredibly beautiful area, with a number of exquisite beaches.
The park area is prime sea otter habitat, so they can often be seen in large rafts just among the small islands. Whales, seals and sea lions swim these waters, and deer live even on the small islands. Tidal pools are full of an abundance of life and are great to explore.
What to Look for in the Catala Island Marine Park
The paddle over to Catala Island can be a committed haul. The crossing is exposed, so good weather and little to no wind are necessary. The outer side of Catala gets the swell, while the inner side, with its large camping area, is fairly protected. The beach here is quite steep, so even a little swell coming in creates a bit of dumping surf to launch and land in. If this is the case, it is best to go in on the back side of this point in the most protected area.
From Catala, short trips can include crossing the Rolling Roadstead to Yellow Bluff Bay and its long sandy beach, but watch out for surf. Twin Islands, on the exposed side of Catala is another beautiful place to explore. Catala is big enough to explore on foot a bit, but probably easier to kayak around and get off at choice spots around the shore.
West Coast Memories to Take Home
After exploring both sides of Eperanza Inlet, the trip back to Zeballos is full of new memories of a wild and incredible place. Whether the return is by kayak or by water taxi, the journey back up the Esperanza Inlet can be a time of reflection on the many experiences of the trip. Being touched by the west coast is unique and memorable, and the Nuchatlitz delivers this in full force.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar