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Day 4
The return leg of our trip would see us paddle from Portland back to D’arcy with a brief stopover at Sidney Island. The day began with calm waters as we made our way back to Sidney Island. However, that all changed the moment that Sidney came into sight.
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D'Arcy Island marine park
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| The rain pelted us into submission and by the time we hit the shore, we were soaked to the bones. Fortunately, the park was equipped with a shelter which enabled us to change out of our wet gear and wait for the rain to subside. After about an hour or so, and a bowl or two of piping hot soup, we slipped quietly out into the channel where we were greeted by the haunting calls of a pair of loons. The water was hypnotically serene as we lazily made
our way past James Island.
After scouting several other campsites earlier on D’Arcy Island, my wife and I decided that we could rule out using the designated sites and opt instead for a more convenient cove on the northwest side. It was the right choice as we settled in for our final night’s stay. As darkness approached, we calmly watched the flickering lights of the Mainland when suddenly they vanished from our sight. Our first thought was blackout, but then as we looked around us, we
noticed that we were slowly being engulfed in a thick shroud of milky fog. It was encouraging to know that our feet were safely planted on terra firma. |
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Paddling calm waters
in Sidney Channel
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Day 5
The final morning of our trip was cast with shadows of fear and apprehension as we set out into the Strait for the trip back to our point of origin. Those feelings were confirmed the moment we encountered the heavy swell and whitecaps we’d viewed from D’Arcy that morning. |
| As we slowly made the crossing back to home base, the waves grew ever larger and stronger as we neared the midway point. Afterwards, my wife noted that she lost sight of me on a number of occasions as I bobbed around in front of her like a plastic fishing lure. Even though the conditions were severe enough to warrant turning back, with each stroke of the paddle we gained more confidence and soon those fears turned to elation as we rounded Gordon
Head and came into calmer waters. With the wind at our backs, we returned to Oak Bay in half the time it had taken us to go the other way on the first day of trip. |
| Final Thoughts
The weather conditions during the trip ranged from sunny to overcast to intermittent periods of precipitation. I was surprised to discover that the paddling conditions were not as predictable as I thought. Channel crossings over a mile in open water should be traversed with caution during gusty periods as was evident on our final day. Keep a vigilant eye out for ferries when crossing channels or straits longer than a mile. Fresh water supplies are not
available on some of the smaller islands, so be sure to check before you leave. A good quality VHF radio is indispensable for forecasting weather related concerns or transmitting/receiving emergency calls for help where cellular phones cannot reach. All of the campsites we stayed at were well maintained and made for a comfortable and enjoyable trip.
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