THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST and the
SOUTHERN INSIDE PASSAGE:
Twelve Day Passage in the Land of the Spirit Bear:
The Great Bear Rainforest

British Columbia's coastal temperate rainforests are characterized by some of the oldest and largest trees on Earth, the most common of which are Sitka spruce, red cedar, western hemlock, amabilis and Douglas fir. Trees can tower up to 300 feet and grow for more than 1,500 years. The biological abundance of BC's coastal rainforests is a result of the terrestrial and marine systems being inextricably linked in a dynamic interaction. "The forest reaches out to the sea, which in turn furnishes the wind and rain necessary for maintenance of the forest character. This exchange of nutrients and energy creates the base for a complex food chain, rich enough to support numerous migratory as well as resident species."

Researchers are just now discovering the number of organisms, particularly insects, living in the canopy of North American coastal temperate rainforests. These woodlands may support the highest fungal and lichen diversity of any forest system.

The "great bears" of coastal BC grow to very large sizes (some over a thousand pounds). Most of this can be attributed to their salmon rich fall diet. The bears include the brown or grizzly bear, the black bear and the genetically-unique subspecies of the black bear found in this central coast of British Columbia, the Kermode bear. A recessive genetic trait gives this small percentage of the black bears a white or cream colored coat. These white bears are know as spirit bears and have enriched the native mythology in the area. In February 2006, the government of British Columbia brokered a land-use agreement with environmental and First Nations groups and with the logging industry to protect 18,000 square kilometres of land, including one of the largest intact temperate rainforests in the world; the home of the Kermode bear. The agreement was made to limit forestry in the area and help support eco-tourism.

Suggested Itinerary for:
Great Bear Rainforest and the Southern Inside Passage:
Twelve Day Passage in the Land of the Spirit Bear:
Ketchikan AK to Friday Harbor, WA
(This itinerary is suggestive only and will change and evolve) (kayaking is always optional)

Day One: After boarding, we'll get underway after a brief orientation and review of boat safety procedures. Leaving Ketchikan behind, we'll head south down Revillagigedo Channel to Foggy Bay, located along the western edge of Misty Fjords National Monument & Wilderness. Sea kayak orientation on deck, weather permitting, and a chance to explore Very Inlet by kayak.

Day Two: We get underway early to cross Dixon Inlet, passing east of Dundas Island and heading down Chatham Sound to Prince Rupert. We will clear Canadian Customs at Prince Rupert.

Day Three: With an early morning start, we will run south and west to the outside of Porcher Island. We have several prime anchorages to choose from in this area. Two of the more interesting, Kitkatla and Larsen Inlets are landlocked retreats with steep-to, forested shores and have several creeks, vast mudflats and estuary systems.

Day Four: Today we'll navigate through Principe and Otter Channels, and travel up Finlayson Channel to an anchorage in Goat Cove. Here we hope to rendezvous with a local guide who will take us to visit local rivers that are habitat for the spirit bear… We may wind our way up Verney Passage and down Ursula Channel to Bishop Bay and where we may soak in the hot springs there.

Day Five: Today we down the long fjord-like channels Frazer Reach, Princess Royal Channel and Sheep Passage to Mussel Inlet. Along the way we may stop to visit the abandoned cannery at Butedale. At the head of this deep fjord we find an expansive river estuary teeming with wildlife. Here we can travel up river via kayak and skiff. We are sure to see many animal tracks along the mudflats, and maybe even those responsible for these tracks.

Day Six: Upon leaving Mussel Inlet we will head down Mathiesen Channel, Reid Passage and Raymond Passage on our way to a tiny nameless cove on the west side of Campbell Island. We will kayak into landlocked Hochstader Basin and explore the constellation of small islands that are scattered through this area.

Day Seven: We will spend the morning wandering through the narrow passages between islands and eventually transit Hakai Pass and Pruth Bay, where from our protected anchorage we can easily hike through the woods to the wild west side of Calvert Island. Here we can enjoy driftwood covered sandy beaches, and watch the Pacific spend it's energies on the rocky headlands.

Day Eight: Leaving our sheltered anchorage in Pruth Bay, we head east down Kwatshua Channel to Fitz Hugh Sound. Weather permitting we will head on across Queen Charlotte Straight to anchor in tiny Miles Inlet. Weather NOT permitting we will spend the night in beautiful Schooner Retreat.

Day Nine: Traveling south down the wide and sometimes rolly Queen Charlotte Sound we will finally tuck in to the Broughton Island Group, where we will anchor and wander ashore on Village Island. Village Island is the site of the abandoned First Nations village of Mamalilaculla, and some massive hand carved house poles are still visible among the trees.

Day Ten: Today we will spend some time wandering through the Broughton Group before reentering the busy maritime crossroads of Blackfish Sound. This is, as one may expect, a likely area in which to view Orcas as well as Dahls and Whitesided Porpoises. We will turn east up Chancellor Channel and head toward the first of three tidal rapids that we need to weather on this route. The first is Greene Point Rapids, and depending on tides and currents we will either head through late today or early tomorrow.

Day Eleven: We will finish with the rapids by shooting Dent and the Yaculta Rapids. With that challenge behind us we will head south through Desolation Sound and anchor at the south end of Texada Island, at Jebediah Marine Park. Jebediah Island was privately owned until a few years ago, and was the site of a wonderful homestead farm. There are several nice trails here, and if we have time, we will do some exploring ashore. Tonight we will celebrate our voyage with the Captain's Dinner, followed with a slide show and shared remembrances.

Day Twelve: Up early and cross the Gulf of Georgia as the sun rises. Once across we will duck into the Gulf Islands and then reenter US waters at Boundary Pass. We will arrive in Friday Harbor and clear customs late in the afternoon.

Date: September 3-14, 2008 Cost: $4000-$4500 a person, DO, dependent on cabin choice. See schedule for availability.

Passengers board in Ketchikan AK and depart in Friday Harbor, WA. YOU MUST HAVE A CURRENT PASSPORT!! Flights to Seattle - Ketchikan AK and Friday Harbor, WA and accommodations in any city are not included in the price and must be made by the passenger.

Included are First Nation fees.
Airline serving Seattle-Ketchikan: Alaska Airlines.
Airline serving Friday Harbor, Kenmore Air.