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Exploring Rivers Inlet
For many people up and down the Pacific
Northwest Coast, ‘Rivers Inlet’ means
salmon. This area is legendary for its fishing,
having attracted people for thousands of
years. History, culture and traditions have
revolved around fishing, and the salmon
have been responsible for much of the
economic development of BC.
Archaeological discoveries have provided
physical evidence that the Oweekeno
people have inhabited the midcoast of
BC for 10,000 years. Traveling through
their traditional territory, you feel almost
transformed, as if you’re paddling back into
time, surrounded by history—petroglyphs
and pictographs, mounded shell middens
and fish cannery ruins. Rivers Inlet is an
explorer’s paradise of remote, secluded
inlets, narrow passageways, channels,
rivers and estuaries teeming with wildlife
and sea creatures. This is where history,
salmon, grizzlies, humans and kayakers
come together.
Getting to Rivers Inlet by boat from Port
Hardy on Vancouver Island means crossing
the unprotected waters of Queen Charlotte
Sound—a challenging adventure for boaters.
This body of water is not recommended for
kayakers without experienced guides. It’s
wiser to take BC Ferries or hook up with a
water taxi charter.
During the summer months, BC Ferries
provides service to the Central Coast from
Port Hardy and Bella Coola. Cruising north
from Port Hardy, the crew of the Queen of
Chilliwack will ‘wet launch’ you and your
loaded kayak in the entrance to Fitz Hugh
Sound in Darby Channel (referred to as
Schooner Channel by locals). They’ll drop
you behind Penrose Island, on its protected
north side, next to Finn Bay. This archipelago
is in the 200-hectare Penrose Marine
Park, an area used by explorers for many ➝
Great paddling can be found on BC’s Central Coast.
Story and photos by Gordon Baron
North Island Kayak Rentals & Tours
Two Locations:
Telegraph Cove and the
Port Hardy Adventure Center
1-6 day Guided Trips & Rentals
Toll Free 877-949-7707
nikayak@island.net
www.KayakBC.ca
June/July 2004 www.WaveLengthMagazine.com
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