Intermediate Experience Pre-requisite / Focus on Natural Interpretation and Hot Springs Exploration!

• Region: Great Bear Rainforest, West Coast of British Columbia, Canada
• Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
• Dates: August 1-8, August 8-15
• Age Requirement:A18 - 65
• Trip Style: One-way guided expedition
  
• Arrival/Departure Airport: Terrace, British Columbia, Canada
  

Explore the lush, biodiverse region of Kemano Sound and Doulas Channel and revitalize yourself after paddling days by plunging into three natural hot springs. Gaze upward forested and glaciated peaks while relaxing your muscles after solid days of paddling.

This route is shorter in distance than an Inside Passage and Outer Coast expedition, allowing additional time for exploration and relaxation in the wondrous environment of the Great Bear Rainforest!

Highlights

• Wildlife viewing opportunities (seals, eagles, salmon, black and grizzly bears, whales)
• Access to 3 Remote Hot Springs: Shearwater, Weenwanie and Bishop Bay
• Fully catered and expertly led by professional sea kayak guides.
• Ecological interpretation and wilderness instruction in one of the most scenic yet protected section of the inside passage route

Meet Your Trip Leader

Mateo Cariglino 

Mateo originally hails from Vancouver, British Columbia. His sense of adventure stems from his youth where he led hiking and paddling trips along BC’s sunshine coast for local kids. This experience was formative and drove him to pursue an academic understanding and technical mastery of the rugged coastlines he enjoys paddling in. 

He now lives in the charming community of Daajing Giids on Haida Gwaii and operates Haida Gwaii Kayak (HGK). He feels strongly that TRAK’s product and the HGK are aligned in helping paddlers reach the inaccessible without compromising on technical quality.

Mateo's guiding experience extends to the far reaches of New Zealand, Colombia, Brazil and much of BC’s vast West Coast – with familiarity in a dynamic array of ocean conditions. He has had the pleasure of guiding people from all backgrounds and aspires to leave those he tours with a distilled sense of wonder and respect for the natural world.

Camping Setting and Requirements

This tour is conducted in a wilderness back country setting in an iconic temperate rainforest. Occasionally, we may stop at BC Parks managed recreation site where rustic shelters or rustic bathroom facilities are present. Otherwise, this is a Leave No Trace expedition and guests should be prepared to backcountry camp. 

• Guests are expected to be able to paddle consistently at a speed of 2 knots for 4-5 hours a day and be prepared to paddle for up to 3 hours between breaks.

• Maritime weather systems and coastal environments are dynamic and as such guests should be comfortable with strong headwind, tailwinds, surf landings and up to 2m swells.

• This is a remote area and with no support vessel or amenities. Paddlers will carry all personal and group equipment and food for the duration of the trip. 

• This expedition is suited to those with a group mentality and a readiness to contribute to shared day to day tasks. Including carrying boats and equipment, dishes, bear hangs, firewood collection etc.

• Participants should be physically and mentally fit. This means being able to manage interpersonal group dynamics as well as self advocate emotional and physical well being to other participants in a timely manner. Other personal care includes the following.

• • Personal gear organization. 

  • Temperature and rain management

  • Tent and tarp set up

  • Kayak care and maintenance on expedition

• While the departure and destination are set, participants must be flexible regarding daily objectives as guides respond to weather, tides and group ability. We recommend arriving a day early and planning to depart a day after the trip end, just in case weather conditions compromise our intended route plan. 

Getting Here

Trip participants will meet in the small town of Terrace, BC to meet their guides, collect their group gear, and kick off their adventure in a good way. Terrace is also where everyone will return after the trip has been completed.

By Air: Terrace Airport (YXT) can be reached from Vancouver International (YVR), Calgary International (YYC), or Edmonton International Airport (YEG). 

By Vehicle: Terrace is located on an iconic BC road trip route, and can be reached from the west via Prince Rupert (with ferry service from Vancouver Island), or from the East, via HWY 16.

From Terrace, each group of paddlers will be transported to their starting point in the Great Bear Rainforest through a combination of prearranged shuttles and water taxis. Once dropped off with their TRAK bags and gear, participants will assemble their kayaks, load up for a week-long expedition, and begin their adventure with support from local guides. At the end of the trip, a water taxi will pick everyone up and the group will be returned to Terrace for a debrief and celebratory meal before finding their own way home.

Want to learn more?

Contact TRAK HQ directly or book a meeting with Caleb, our Chief Paddling Officer.