I bought my van in Campbell River! Seriously though, Port Renfrew is a cool
place if you are in the south part of the island. The Renfrew Pub has some
amazing Halibites!

On Saturday, May 7, 2016, KI4TLF <ki4tlf@gmail.com> wrote:

> I know.  Too many people that only think of themselves, not others or the
> area.  :-(
>
> GregM
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alistair Bel [mailto:albell@shaw.ca <javascript:;>]
> Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2016 10:06 PM
> To: KI4TLF
> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <javascript:;>
> Subject: Re: Vancouver Island
>
> I wish that rule was followed more. Out of sight out of mind is more the
> rule sometimes.
>
> Alistair
>
> > On May 7, 2016, at 5:06 PM, KI4TLF <ki4tlf@GMAIL.COM <javascript:;>>
> wrote:
> >
> > You pack it in, pack it out.  Doesn't take any more space than it did and
> it should be lighter to carry.
> >
> > GregM
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> <javascript:;>] On
> > Behalf Of Roger Whittaker
> > Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2016 6:51 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <javascript:;>
> > Subject: Vancouver Island
> >
> > Dear Alistair
> >
> > My comment is and was directed at General Comments - you are intensely
> > more knowledgeable than nearly any one I have met outside of active
> > loggers - And yes the dumping of garbage in the woods is a serious
> > problem - Muggles engaged in this activity should be punished -
> > Logging shows doing a garbage dump in the woods also a problem
> > -luckily Truck Loggers Association - of which I am a member - is
> > trying to stop logging professionals from treating the woods like a
> > personal waste oil drop - Hydraulic oil was likely the result of a
> > blow out and yes that too should be dug up and carried away - I mean
> > it is often an excavator - bad dog no treat to anyone tossing so much
> > as a candy wrapper to the ground in the woods - As far as callus
> > logging practices - well some of that is in the eye of the beholder -
> > if a person is 100% no tree should ever be cut then all logging will
> > look callus - The encouragement I see in the industry to be a
> > responsible harvester of this renewable resource is heartening - with
> > a long way to go - Again my apology if my terse tongue in cheek
> > salutation read as with  derision The intention was 100% inclusive
> > humour
> >
> > Regards
> >
> >> On Saturday, 7 May 2016, Alistair Bel <albell@shaw.ca <javascript:;>
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','albell@shaw.ca <javascript:;>');>> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hey roger,
> >>
> >> I'm not disputing what you said, it's just I haven't come across it.
> >>
> >> But I do come across, frequently, is illegal garbage dumping, callous
> >> logging practices, logging equipment maintenance garbage  ( even
> >> though a lot of the spilled oil from logging equipment is
> >> biodegradable hydraulic oil).
> >>
> >> And illegal hunting.
> >>
> >> I see more damage done by yahoo types than anything else.
> >>
> >> And yes, forest ownership, leases,tree farm licenses, is different on
> >> the island from the rest of the province.
> >>
> >> Alistair
> >>
> >> On May 7, 2016, at 1:12 PM, Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@gmail.com
> <javascript:;>>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> Dear VI Master - to whom has all knowledge of the Unknown (log roads
> >> and other woodland gunk holes especially ) and to all of us who
> >> lovingly learn from him -
> >>
> >>
> >> Re Eco warriors and the stuff done -
> >> After being a safety manager for a logging roads builder - for more
> >> than 7 years I can tell you from experiance that very little of what
> >> is done in the woods to thwart loggers is reported - most is
> >> circulated to safety departments of various stake holders -
> >> --- lest we forget many of these logging roads are owned and
> >> maintained privately - some on public land have private management
> >> and private use rules - Most of these logging roads are not under any
> >> sort of provincial "care "
> >> outside of the Tree Farm Lic the user is operating on the land with -
> >> and that licence may be 100 years old - Further to that the public
> >> use of the road is often at the pleasure  of the licence owner -
> >>
> >> Regards
> >>> On Saturday, 7 May 2016, Alistair Bel <albell@shaw.ca <javascript:;>>
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Yes, roger makes some good points
> >>>
> >>> My experiences:
> >>>
> >>> Gates - yes there are gates and there are trenches and bermed
> >>> inactivated roads, and removed bridges. The gates locked usually in
> >>> areas of active logging, or if there is a big fire hazard.
> >>>
> >>> Road roughness - you should have good tires already :-)
> >>>
> >>> Truck traffic - it can be a little disconcerting to come across one
> >>> of the big loaded trucks barrelling towards you, especially when
> >>> roads are dry and dusty. I go slower when I suspect active logging.
> Never used radio.
> >>>
> >>> Eco warriors - new one on me. Never encountered anything of the kind.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> And I should mention how I now navigate the roads. I have lots of
> >>> paper maps, and the back roads books. I seldom use them now. The
> >>> backroad series is ok, but I've found a few errors in them and I
> >>> don't trust them completely. They don't have up to date road
> >>> inactivation data and I have found mis labelled spurs.
> >>> Pretty well all of the area I outlined is beyond cell phone range,
> >>> be aware of that.
> >>> What I do now, and you can do this with lap top ( but now I use my
> >>> iPads) is when you are in wifi or cell coverage, survey the region
> >>> you want in google maps or earth, or Apple maps. Both are good, but
> >>> the satellite data differs, I have found more up to date satellite
> >>> images in Apple maps for my areas of interest, but annoyingly those
> images have thin cloud cover.
> >>>
> >>> But either will work. Survey the area to the detail you want. The
> >>> data is in cache on device. Then when out in the bush it becomes
> >>> trivial to navigate the networks of roads.
> >>>
> >>> My iPad mini is connected to garmin glo Bluetooth gps device. This
> >>> gets a quick and very accurate fix, even in canyons and tree cover.
> >>>
> >>> My iPad Air 2 has built in gps and works almost as well.
> >>>
> >>> Also , you can find pdf maps with geospatial data embedded. With the
> >>> right app you can have your position displayed on a topo map.
> >>>
> >>> (I really should do a blog post detailing all this, it truly is a
> >>> game changer for getting around on e logging roads up here).
> >>>
> >>> I continue to be amazed when I am at one of my favourite camping
> >>> sites and I can see the site on the satellite image, with my blue
> >>> dot location, and then look up from the screen and see that I am
> >>> pretty well spot on. I mean really very close, within a couple of
> meters.
> >>>
> >>> Alistair
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On May 7, 2016, at 9:57 AM, Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@gmail.com
> <javascript:;>>
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Dear VI Camper
> >>>
> >>> With Alister telling you all about the wonderful logging road system
> >>> there are three things you should take into account before venturing
> >>> on to said logging roads 1. Tires - the Michelin pkg offered by Go
> >>> Westy says right on the tires - NO ROCKs And many (er.... Some)
> >>> logging roads are blasted rock with all the sharp edges and all -
> >>>
> >>> 2. Some logging roads have gates - the gate may or may not be open
> >>> to where you want to end up - also it may be open upon your arrival
> >>> and closed when you try to get out - and no there is usually not a
> >>> handy list of numbers to call attached to the lock -
> >>>
> >>> 3. Many logging roads are active and the trucks moving in either
> >>> direction are calling miles up or down via a vhf radio - you may
> >>> want to think about getting one - does everyone have one - no - do
> >>> the truck drivers wish everyone had one - YES - a logging truck
> >>> loaded or unloaded actually meeting an unannounced vehicle is probly
> >>> about as common for logging truck as it is for urban drivers meeting
> >>> wayward bicycle - Not Awlays reported - happens lots - please be
> >>> safe -
> >>>
> >>> And oh yes one more thing
> >>>
> >>> 4. Eco warriors leave many nasty things in the woods to hinder the
> >>> progress of legitimate users of the bush - razor blades on lock s
> >>> was one particularly hidious event recently catalogued - it is my
> >>> hope you do not become collateral damage to some of these misguided
> >>> protests
> >>>
> >>> Regards
> >>>
> >>>> On Saturday, 7 May 2016, Alistair Bel <albell@shaw.ca <javascript:;>>
> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Forgot to add that I have some pics of the areas described below,
> >>>> on my blog.
> >>>> For example, pics taken with David B. On a trip to bamfield and
> >>>> port Alberni a few years ago, and a cold April.
> >>>>
> >>>> https://shufti.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/another-logging-road-trip/
> >>>>
> >>>> Alistair
> >>>>
> >>>>> On May 7, 2016, at 8:12 AM, Alistair Bel <albell@SHAW.CA
> <javascript:;>> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Ok, a couple of options for the southern part of the island. I'm
> >>>> leaving out the obvious tourist attractions.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> From Victoria head west to port renfrew. On the way there are a
> >>>>> few
> >>>> provincial campsites that are worth a look. China beach, Mystic
> >>>> beach, sombrio beach. There is also a fairly rugged hiking trail (
> >>>> similar to the famous west coast trial) that runs along that section
> of
> the coast.
> >>>>> Any one of those parks is worth an overnight stay.
> >>>>> Jordan river is popular surfing spot with a small campsite.
> >>>>> At port can head out westwards and have a look at botanical beach.
> >>>> Very much worth it if you are into intertidal life.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Port renfrew itself has a native run campsite in the beach. It can
> >>>>> be
> >>>> a a zoo on summer weekends.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Fairy lake provincial campsite is close by, but again, it can be a
> zoo.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> The road goes north thru port renfrew, over a second bridge, and
> >>>>> you
> >>>> have the choice of turning left or right.
> >>>>> Turning right, and this is all paved, the road winds along Harris
> >>>> creek and then on to cowichan lake. This is now part of a popular
> >>>> circle route back to Victoria, very popular with motorbike riders.
> >>>> Some very nice views of the creek (popular in winter high water
> >>>> with those crazy extreme type river kayakers). No real campsites
> >>>> along the way, but old logging roads here and there if you want to
> explore.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Back at the choice of turn, if you take the left the road winds
> >>>>> north
> >>>> then west to follow the Gordon river watershed and on again to
> >>>> cowichan lake. The road turns to gravel after the bridge over the
> >>>> Gordon. Just a little further is the famous avatar grove, big trees,
> really big.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> We head on this road to do our camping and exploring , but turn
> >>>>> off
> >>>> and head west. No campsites where we go, and road can be rough. If
> >>>> you are in the mood for that let me know and I can give you hints
> >>>> to navigate the confusing system of logging spurs.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Back in the Gordon river road to cowichan. Lots of side roads,
> >>>>> again
> >>>> rough, to explore.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> What ever road, Harris or Gordon, you take you end up at cowichan
> >>>> lake. You can then head east (paved) to cowichan village and then
> >>>> on east to the main island Hwy and back south to Victoria. If you
> >>>> do that stop at the logging museum in Duncan.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> But if you head west (gravel) you have a couple of prov park
> >>>>> choices
> >>>> on the south side of the lake. And then if you continue west
> >>>> towards nitinat lake, there is a somewhat hidden site on nitinat
> >>>> river , nitinat falls. No organized sites, the road down is tight,
> >>>> can be tricky at bottom if you want to get onto the river gravel. But
> it's an option.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On to a T in the road, left to nitinat village where there are
> >>>>> many
> >>>> kite boarders in the summer. The lake gets very windy in the summer
> >>>> afternoons. Mini industry serving (originally windsurfers) kite
> boarders.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> At the T if you go right, and over bridge that spans the nitinat
> >>>>> river
> >>>> ( gravel bar camping below bridge, but do you want to camp there?)
> >>>> you will be on the fairly well marked road to bamfield.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> You can turn off that road and get lost along the way :-). One
> >>>>> example
> >>>> is the alternate route to bamfield that passes flora lake. Nice
> >>>> little forestry campsite, buggy though, but if weather hot and dry
> >>>> it's worth a stop for swim and overnight.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> One of my favourite watersheds, the klanawa, is reached via this way.
> >>>> Lots of rugged calling to be had, again if you're game let me know.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Bamfield has marine research station and is the north end of the
> >>>> famous west coast trail. Pachena bay is very much worth a visit,
> >>>> somewhat like a mini long beach, but a bit more sheltered.
> >>>>> There is a native run campsite near the national park there, right
> >>>> near the bay.
> >>>>> From bamfield you can head north east on gravel, along the side of
> >>>>> the
> >>>> Alberni inlet and end up at port Alberni.
> >>>>> You can stock up on crack and OxyContin here :-) But has a super
> >>>>> cool working steam sawmill, very much worth visit.
> >>>>> Then you can head west to Tofino and long beach etc, or east back
> >>>>> to
> >>>> the east side of the island and the main island hwy.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Alistair
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> On Apr 30, 2016, at 8:14 AM, Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM
> <javascript:;>> wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Hi all -
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Just beginning to put the first plans together around a trip to
> >>>> Vancouver
> >>>>>> Island in late July early August and so I am asking the group for
> >>>> great
> >>>>>> suggestions of where to camp and explore.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> I received some really great suggestions last year from the group
> >>>> that made
> >>>>>> our trip to Washington & Oregon memorable.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Thanks in advance,
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Bruce Todd
> >>>>>> 86 Westy Syncro
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> roger whittaker 604.414.6266
> >>>
> >>> ----------------------------------------------------------
> >>> PR MARINE SURVEYORS &
> >>> http://www.tvthatworks.com
> >>> http://www.tvpowellriver.com
> >>> LinkedIn -
> >>>
> >>>   - ca.linkedin.com/pub/roger-whittaker/14/78a/b71/Explore printed
> work
> >>>   at: http://www.prliving.ca/
> >>>   View the growing list of video work at:
> >>>   http://www.youtube.com/user/LastonLastof#g/u
> >>>   http://vimeo.com/42309497
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> http://www.prpeak.com/articles/2010/11/29/multimedia/video/doc4c62e5
> >>> f
> >>> 80d228504902172.txt
> >>
> >> --
> >> roger whittaker 604.414.6266
> >>
> >> ----------------------------------------------------------
> >> PR MARINE SURVEYORS &
> >> http://www.tvthatworks.com
> >> http://www.tvpowellriver.com
> >> LinkedIn -
> >>
> >>   - ca.linkedin.com/pub/roger-whittaker/14/78a/b71/Explore printed work
> >>   at: http://www.prliving.ca/
> >>   View the growing list of video work at:
> >>   http://www.youtube.com/user/LastonLastof#g/u
> >>   http://vimeo.com/42309497
> >>
> >>
> >> http://www.prpeak.com/articles/2010/11/29/multimedia/video/doc4c62e5f
> >> 8
> >> 0d228504902172.txt
> >
> > --
> > roger whittaker 604.414.6266
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------
> > PR MARINE SURVEYORS &
> > http://www.tvthatworks.com
> > http://www.tvpowellriver.com
> > LinkedIn -
> >
> >   - ca.linkedin.com/pub/roger-whittaker/14/78a/b71/Explore printed work
> at:
> >    http://www.prliving.ca/
> >   View the growing list of video work at:
> >   http://www.youtube.com/user/LastonLastof#g/u
> >   http://vimeo.com/42309497
> >
> >
> > http://www.prpeak.com/articles/2010/11/29/multimedia/video/doc4c62e5f8
> > 0d228504902172.txt
>