#3: [24-Jun-08]

#1: [14-Aug-01] (incomplete)

18-Aug-2003 -- We pursued the Degree Confluence Challenge as a family activity. After an afternoon of agate (semi-precious rock)hunting on the beach (low tide), we sought out a number of possible routes to access this confluence; water seemed to get in the way.

Prior to accessing Naikoon Provincial Park, there is an access road that comes to a fork (left = gravel pit; right = residence). We drove back and confirmed with a home owner whether we could cross the gravel pit to start ascent up the ridge (no problem).

I was confident that this degree confluence could be reached but I had 2 children with me and my spouse had a serious bought of bronchitis. All was well after scrambling up an overgrown road and up 100 vertical metres in a gully (see images). The view is beautiful at the top of the ridge; reportedly, Alaska is visible on a clear day.

We progressed nicely towards the degree confluence but we had a slight problem : TIME. I knew that it would be slow going (children) but by my estimation, we would arrive back at the vehicle after dark. I could of blasted ahead and captured the prize but that left no safety margin and impeded the "family event". I pulled the plug approximately 1.1 km from the target. My spouse and children OBJECTED! But, as a forester, I was very cognicent that I was the only person capable of navigating in/out on my own.

Next attempt will see an extra roll of flagging tape in my pocket so that if I was injured, the others could follow the flagging tape out.

BUT it was fun. My children loved the bushwacking and they were disappointed not to make it to some obscure point on a map. Each son carried a GPS (Garmin 12xl and 76), and I carried a Garmin 76S (and a compass!).

The Queen Charlotte Islands is a beautiful place. Note that the ground vegetation has been browsed by deer (lots of deer!).