S/V Ripple

Verney Passage May 29, 2015 We left Bishop's Cove and turned north up Ursula Channel to get to the top of Gribble Island, and then southwest for a 13 mile sojourn through the breathtaking scenery of Verney Passage.  It is easy to become inured to the beauty that is a constant presence along this route, but this passage is particularly striking, and one wonders how many people have ever explored these remote cirques and imposing rockfaces.  I bet there are a lot of first ascent opportunities yet to be found there. Bishop's Cove to Hartley Bay to Lowe's Inlet (Google Earth) At the bottom of placid Verney Passage we turned the corner onto Wright Sound, and immediately were caught up in head winds and chop, and though we had only 4 miles of the Sound to cross, it was lumpy, and we were happy enough to get to Hartley Bay.  Wright Sound is at the confluence of several major waterways, two of which lead to the sea fairly directly.  As with any such plenum, the c...

Ivory Island light station at the corner of Seaforth Channel and Finlayson Channel May 27-28, 2015 The route north from Shearwater takes you west towards the mouth of Seaforth Channel, and as the name implies, it leads to the sea.  The first sheltered waters after leaving Shearwater are 15 or so miles away, and Seaforth has a reputation. Ivory Island is the choice point.  If you don't like what you're experiencing, tuck into the channel that leaves Ivory Island Light to port, and work your way up through the protected Reid Channel. It is actually quite an attractive passage, but requires some close navigational attention (and tidal awareness).  If the seas are tame, leave Ivory Island to starboard and swing north in a wide arc into Finlayson Channel. This particular morning, Odin was elsewhere and we enjoyed a favorable tide that brought us to the mouth of Finlayson on kindly seas -- glassy, even, with but a hint of ocean swell. We passed by Klemtu, a Tsimshian ...