CP 14

A view from the top of the world at the edge of the world. Actually this is only about half way up, and the last point we got to see the ground. This is by far one of the coolest things i think I've ever been involved in.
This is the view from Mt. Moresby the hightest point on Haida Gwaii, and coincidentally one of the stops for the 'Raid the North Extreme' competitiors. We were asked to hike to the top of the mountain and place a 'codeword' for the competitors to bring back down with them. So we did it on Saturday and what a great trip. Took us about 9 hours return and the thought that these competitiors will be doing this ascent in the dark after over 200 miles of hiking, biking and kayaking is amazing! We got to meet a lot of the competitiors from all over the world last night at the briefing. Truly amazing to be part of this crazy adventure! Once again, keep posted on the tele and maybe I'll pop up. We're at Checkpoint 14, Moresby camp manning the checkpoint there!


A view of the mountain from Mosquito lake. Looks like a cake walk from here eh. 4800ft.

Razor edge just before the summit. 1000 feet down on either side.

Some proud people at the top.

Adventure Race!

Well, the Seawolf carving posted here should be a little scary for the participants of the upcoming "Raid the North" Eco challenge going on next week here on Haida Gwaii. Notice the killerwhale on it's back and tail! We just found out last week that the venue was moved from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii due to the flooding going on and the instability of the mountains. We're all pretty stoked as this will be represented by 26 teams of 4 from all over the world. This will be covered by Global television and syndicated all over.
To make things even cooler, I've been asked to be part of the trail development and will be travelling this weekend to a very remote location to set up a secretive checkpoint. How cool is that! Next week we will be at the checkpoint for the 24hours that the teams will be passing by handing out water and fruit for the competitors.
So, check your local listings and look for me handing out water to these amazing ultra-athletes who will be travelling over 500 miles by foot, bike and kayak in 4 grueling days.
Happy solstice!

My class wishing me good bye!

A fine feed for 5 courtesy of my little dipnet

Skunk cabbage.

No lack of food

Not bad eh? This is one of my students that caught a 400lb halibut on the weekend. What do you think, is he going to be a good guide? Methinks so! I too have been having a great time with it. The crab are in the shallows now and you can pick them off the beach with a dipnet. I got 4 yesterday and I'm going out tonight too!
We also invented a new sport the other day - 4Runner surfing. We got a good bit of rope and towed my sorry ass behind it. Fun or what! All for now!

Hippies, Haida, and Headcases

A nice picture of our lovely Naikoon Bakery. Little Zaya is here in front of the museum that has those two magnificent sperm whale jaw bones for an archway. Amazing eh!
Well, the last few days have been eventful. I've managed to be labelled as the guy in the 'hippy' play which kinda makes me laugh. The reviews were amazing. I was told by a gentleman that has seen it performed several times in England that our interpretation was better! We're actually considering a bit of a tour when things calm down, but with all of us in full time professions, it makes it a bit difficult. Alas, in time.
The haida have been in full force too with my lodge training involvement. I've managed to get all of our north crew off to their respective lodges and without major problems. It has been very optimistic to see these students go through as work ethic is non-existent in this area. Unemployment is 80% in the village! Crazy. So, I'm hoping that good things happen with this program.
And the headcase... oh, the headcase... I came home from work last week to find a man I had never met before doing his laundry in my driveway. He had decided to squat on my land and stay in the bus. After about 5 days of trying to convince him that he had to go, he finally did. He was 'waiting for godot' or something. I think that he imagined my landlady being ok with the idea, which she most certainly was not. Once again, a far out situation, in a far out land... Enjoy the rest of the pics.

This is one of my best friends, the communities best friends - Paige. She has converted a bluebird bus into a bakery where she sells all kinds of delectable treats and wonderful coffee. She has also been my source of seedlings that have really taken off in my greenhouse. Sadly she will be leaving at the end of the month and we'll be off to find a new local to chill at. Probably the bakery above. (owned by her mother)

The Kelly Ruth where she landed 6 years ago. Amazing how the seas have really weathered this vessel.

Kind of a sad state of affairs here. Stellar lion about washed up, with no real indication of death. Looks like it was a meal for a few fish on its' way in.

The headless sea lion that washed up on the beach last week. The teeth are very valuable and very cool to have in your posession, so this one was actually decapitated on shore by a chainsaw. Ewwww...

In case you were wondering what the head looked like. This guy was watching us as we wandered on the spit a couple weeks ago.