Previously, we introduced Alex and Fraser AKA the “Old Boys on a Boat.” They embarked on an epic journey from near Nanimo, BC up to Haida Gwaii and up to Khutzeymateen Inlet and back, all in less than 6 weeks. Below are the log entries and photos that they shared with us. 

Dinner in 30 seconds, from the time the lure hit the water to a 10lb Coho strike. In Hartley Bay now. A Gitga’a First Nations feast hall and the requisite church in a small community tucked in to the head of the Douglas Cannel. Heading up Banks island to Larsen Hbr. to prepare for jump off to Haida Gwaii!

We made the crossing from Larsen Hbr. to Skidigate and Queen Charlotte City yesterday. Almost a 100 kilometres across, pretty lumpy in the middle sections. Hecate Strait is quite shallow (150’) and thus the wind and waves conspire to mischief. Heading into Gwaii Hanaas park today for a week exploring by boat and kayak.

We are in Haida Gwaii now, just finished a week exploring Gwaii Hannas (National Park) and are back in Queen Charlotte City before heading to the West Coast of Graham Island, true Tiger Country, next stop Japan.

These shots are from Hotspring Island in Juan Perez Sound. These are quite famous and lost their heat in a 2012 earthquake but has slowly regained it over the past 8 years. The shots of the 800 year old Sitka Spruce is from Windy Bay on Lyell Island, where the Haida Watchman built a Longhouse in 1986 to protest the voracious corporate logging that was decimating their ancestral homeland.

Waterfall point, Sarah Island, Klemtu. Stunning duo. Bay of Plenty searching for the elusive Kermode Spirit Bear. Boats in Bottleneck Inlet. We’re in the Great Bear Rainforest now heading for Kynoch Inlet, way up and in.

Waterfalls everywhere, amazing vistas and our first good look at a Grizzly, young male probably only 2-3 years old. Leaving for Roscommon Inlet now, a way deep in a fiord.

We’re almost done, these are from a beach in the Broughtons archipelago at the top of Vanvouver Island, an amazing collection of hundreds of islands very popular with the cruising set. Wonderful little beaches and stunning vistas. At the head of Knights Inlet. Weather better, winds 15km.

These are all from Princess Louisa Inlet off it Jervis Inlet. A totally amazing BC Marine Park at the end of which is Chatterbox Falls. Spent two days here exploring and hiking. The inlet after heavy rains has dozens of waterfalls cascading of the sheer granite walls. Everywhere you look are these beautiful falling streams of water. An amazing place.

Wrap up photos taken after almost six weeks touring Discovery Passage, Johnson Strait, the Channel Islands, the Broughtons, the North coast (Great Bear Rainforest), Haida Gwaii and up to the Alaskan boarder. Approximately 3500 km. All manner of weather, including 2-3 days hunkered down in a small cove while a gale raged around us blowing the tops off waves and turning the sea to foam, some amazing bluebird days when Peregrine seemed to float amongst the clouds, the water so clear and calm. Many gray days, rain sodden, with clouds and mist enveloping the boat as we navigated channels winding many many miles up into the hinterland of the north coast.

It was a journey of exploration not only of a truly remarkable water and landscape but of ourselves, our friendship and how to coexist and support in a relatively confined space. The Cutwater was mostly brilliant and performed admirably. Alex Will no doubt have more to say on that in the coming days. We had some close calls and minor disasters, moments of sublime beauty and awe and many many days of feeling like we lived in a separate world. We had no news, no current events, no stock reports or board meetings. Everyone should take the time some time in their life to live in no time.

Special thanks to Fraser Clark and Alex Bird for contributing to the Cutwater Logbook.

If you'd like to be featured in a Cutwater Life Log Entry, email briandickhaut@rangertugs.com