Deep Bay Paddle - August 23, 2022

 

A total of 12 paddlers launched from the Deep Bay Spit, 10:00 am sharp, with the goal to circumnavigate Chrome Island and explore the southern tip and coastline of Denman Island. A warm summer day with inland temperatures expected to reach close to 30 degrees celcius, along with very calm winds and favourable tides set up the perfect conditions for a pleasant day on the water.  After signin, orientation and a few paddling tips,

 

the group gathered together to cross the Baynes Sound channel over to Denman Island. 

Heading southward, we explored the rocky coastline of Denman, to the remarkable views of several colonies of sea lions and seals sunning themselves on the low tide exposed rocks and frolicking in the warm waters, eventually reaching Chrome Island. 

 

 

Less than two acres in size, Chrome Island provided a very picturesque view of a wind and wave swept rocky island outcrop.  It first appeared on navigational maps in 1860, named as Yellow Rock and retained that name until 1940 when it was renamed to Chrome Island to reduce confusion with Yellow Island in the Discovery Passage.

 

 

After blasting off the top of the rock, Chrome Island Lighthouse was established in January 1, 1891 to provide guidance and safety to marine traffic.  It is still physically manned and operated to this day.  Over that time it has undergone several rebuilds to adopt new technologies; has been the site of the famous shipwreck of the Alpha in 1898 when 25 men were rescued and seven others drowned in the frigid waters; has helped to rescue several smaller craft traveling between islands who lost power and were caught unexpectedly in high seas; has been classified as a protected archaeological, historic and ecological site; and is now a curiosity to a dozen adventurous PGOSA paddlers. 

 After viewing Chrome Island, the group, heading into a light breeze, proceeded to travel up the east side of Denman, spotting several flocks of oyster catchers foraging in the seaweed on the exposed rocks.

 

We eventually pulled into a park location, just south of the Hornby Island Ferry terminal for a picnic rest stop.

 

After a brief lunch and stretching our legs,

 

 we enjoyed a very relaxing paddle back, retracing our route to our original morning launch site. 

 

 

After tallying up survivors and helping each other load, we headed home with some off us stopping off at the Cone Zone to count a few ice cream calories, exchange some high fives and celebrate another successful PGOSA traveling adventure on the water.

Report submitted by Walter 

Thanks for all of the photos contributed by Elaine, Lil and Penny