Indian Arm Kayak Trip 2018

Date

September 22^nd - 23^rd, 2018

General Information

This trip is beginner friendly. There will be quite a bit of paddling involved: good strength and/or fitness is recommended; paddling experience is a real asset. Indian Arm usually has very calm waters, but we will be paddling close to shore for the most part in case it gets rough. The views are spectacular, Deep Cove has a place where they sell amazing honey-dipped donuts, and kayaking is one of those things where light rain just cools you off.

Some camping experience is also good. We will be paddling double kayaks (more space - more stable - cheaper to rent). This means you can bring more than you would on a backpacking trip, but please pack reasonably.

We will be packing everything into kayaks. The kayaks do stay mostly dry, but your stuff may get damp... it is best to pack everything into either dry bags or just into thick garbage bags. Pro tip: using a garbage bag to line a stuff sack or backpack provides waterproofing and avoids holes in your garbage bag! The hatches on the kayaks are sometimes small, so its better to have a few smaller bags than one giant bag.

We will be having a dessert potluck and drinks in the evening, so be prepared to bring some things to share.

Possible Agenda

• SATURDAY September 22: meet at 9:45am at Deep Cove, eat donuts, drink coffee, and be ready by the door of Deep Cove kayaks at 9:45am, preferably with filled up forms to minimize faff. Load kayaks and paddle north on Indian Arm to the Twin Islands where we could make a brief stop, and then continue straight to the Granite Falls campground; set up camp; dinner, wine, desserts & songbook. If we arrive early, some people could choose to go explore the Indian River estuary if there is time.

• SUNDAY September 23: early breakfast and coffee; load kayaks; paddle south (lunch somewhere); return to Deep Cove circa the afternoon.

We should still have time on Saturday to explore the North end of Indian Arm by kayak: if we make good time Sunday we can also explore some islands and bays in the South part of the arm. There are also a few waterfalls along the way, and a spooky abandoned power station.

How much does it cost?

We will be renting kayaks from Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak, which should come to about $100(**) per person for 48 hours of kayak rental (includes kayak, paddle, PFD, sprayskirt, mandatory safety equipment).

(**) This depends on how many folks bring their own kayak. If you want to bring your own kayak, please EMAIL ME at least a week ahead of the trip to make arrangements and adjust costs. Payment for kayaks rented from Deep Cove will be IN ADVANCE, at the pretrip meeting.

Food groups will split the cost of food. Transportation is FREE if you have a U-Pass! (it's a whopping $2.95 in bus fare if you don't). If you're driving to Deep Cove, you may need to park a 10-minute walk away from the launch because there's limited parking available for overnight. Passengers should pay their driver for fuel costs.

What to bring

Clothing

(no cotton!)

Footwear that you’re okay getting a little wet (sandals or crocs or neoprene booties are good)

Warm jacket (fleece or synthetic)

Long underwear (top and bottom)

Toque, mitts, neoprene paddling gloves (optional)

Weatherproof jacket (goretex)

Weatherproof pants (goretex) (you should be fine without these but your bum will get wet)

Warm socks

Wetsuit (optional)

*you’ll need the clothes that you’re wearing and at least one other set of warm, dry clothes

Sleeping

Sleeping bag (preferably synthetic)

Sleeping pad

Tent (or find people to share with)

Essentials

Water bottles (there is no potable water after we leave Deep Cove, so you’ll need enough water for the two days – or bring a water filter)

Headlamp and batteries

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Pocket knife

Whistle

Lighter and/or waterproof matches

First aid kit

Toilet paper

Dry bag(s)

Chart & compass (if you have them)

Food

Lunch and snacks x2

Breakfast x1

Dinner x1

Cooking ‘n Eating

Bowl and spoon

Stove with fuel

Pot(s) and pot gripper

Dessert potluck contribution (Saturday night)

Alcoholic potluck contribution

Miscellaneous

Tarp (to put up as shelter if it rains) (optional)

Songbook

Small instruments (optional)

Dryschool

A pre-trip meeting to cover some safety issues; also, planning food and tent groups. You should also pay today or have paid already, and you will need to sign a waiver.

Wednesday, Sept 19, 2018 at 7:00PM

Tent groups

1. Swantje & Kathryn
2. Hannah B., Julia & Gabrielle
3. Emma & Adriana
4. Piper & Kate
5. Katie & Dakotah
6. Krista & Piotr
7. Terry & Hannah J.

Stove groups

1. Kate & Adriana
2. Rachel & Emma
3. Piper, Jennifer & Lukas
4. Swantje & Kathryn
5. Hannah & Julia
6. Katie & Dakotah

Busing Instructions

If you need to get to Deep Cove by bus, catch the 212 from Phibbs Exchange and it takes you straight there. For detailed directions, check out Translink's Trip Planner (https://tripplanning.translink.ca/)

Boat groups

1. Use this space to plan boat pairings

Deep Cove boats (7 doubles, 5 singles)

1. Hannah B. & Julia
2. Emma & Jennifer
3. Kathryn & Swantje
4. Kate & Adriana
5. Dakitah & Katie
6. Leon & Jaehun
7. Rachel & River
8. Joey (single)
9. Cheng (single)
10. Gabrielle (single)
11. Piper (single)
12. Lukas (single)

Other boats

1. Krista
2. Piotr
3. Terry
4. Hannah J.