My adventure included a 29 km hike deep into Strathcona Provincial Park, a rugged mountain wilderness of over 250,000 hectares that dominates central Vancouver Island. Created in 1911, Strathcona is the oldest provincial park in BC and the largest on Vancouver Island. The triangular shaped park practically spans the entire width of Vancouver Island, in that it borders on Herbert Inlet off Clayoquot Sound on the Pacific Coast, and extends eastwards to within 13 kilometers of the sea near Comox.
Expedition backpacking doesn’t come as naturally to me as sea kayaking, though much like sea kayaking I find that with each experience I grow in knowledge, skill and learn something to apply for next time. The ability to pump and filter one’s own water from lakes, rivers and streams at incremental locations is a must and critical for a backpacker in order to reduce the weight one has to carry. I will be purchasing a filtration system in the very near future that I can use for both backpacking and sea kayaking.
Lastly, a call out for those that use Strathcona Provincial Park to be on the lookout for any clues related to the very mysterious and tragic disappearance of Sylvia Apps almost a year ago. My thoughts go out to her family and friends.
Much thanks and appreciation to Tofino Sea Kayaking Company http://tofinoseakayaking.com/ for the Meares Island Trees and Shores tour on June 29th. Our guides, Arv and Aaron (spelling?) were very informative and true patrons of Clayoquot Sound. 
…honestly what’s better than coming across an old red truck in a country setting? The more natural the setting, of course the better. This particular setting wasn’t exactly as I would have liked but nonetheless the image speaks for itself and it was a great subject to photograph.
Abstract photography is a relatively unknown genre for me but I must say I am quite pleased with my first attempt. These images were created in an ancient Maple Grove on Southern Vancouver Island. I can’t disclose the location nor the name of the individual that informed me as to the location. Locations such as these are disappearing too quickly due to industrial activities. Go to https://www.ancientforestalliance.org/ to find out more.
The MSR Pocket Rocket is a must have for any expedition kayaking or back packing enthusiast, check out the video and other online reviews and go out and buy yours today!
…and a lot of it! The purpose of my outing was to scout potential areas where I will be able to attract, view and photograph Mountain Lion (Cougar) and to take advantage of favorable weather forecasted in Tofino to work on a commission for a client. I was able to get the commission work done and found some nifty spots where I might be able to see a Cougar. What I wasn’t expecting were so many waterfalls! As many of you know one of my favorite subjects to photograph is moving water. The back country surrounding Clayoquot Sound is riddled this time of year with fast flowing rivers, streams and falls that are only present after a combination of heavy rain and snow melt. I’m once again reminded of the astounding beauty that “The Wet Coast” has to offer. 
How often is it that we visit a place, be it a Provincial Park or some other public location and don’t take the time to read the signs that discuss it’s past, whom it may be dedicated to and so forth? I did just that today before starting my hike to the waterfalls found at Rosewall Creek Provincial Park. The park was established in 1956 in memory of Lt. Ian Macdonald (1920-1944) of the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Ian was born in Vernon, BC in 1920 and moved to Fanny Bay in 1929. Like many young men and women of his day, Ian was quick to enlist when Canada entered WW2 in 1939. On June 2nd, 1944 like my maternal Grandfather he became part of the Allied invasion of Normandy. On June 10th, 1944 sadly Lt. Ian Macdonald was killed in action. As I hiked along the trail I thought about Macdonald’s sacrifice, those of my Grandfather and of so many others. My thanks and appreciation to all Military personnel, past and present for protecting our great country and affording me the freedom to explore it’s many wonders. 
…for those familiar with Vancouver Island we all know that the entire population on the island could easily spend their entire lifetimes exploring each river, creek or stream. Likely there would still be some that were missed. Today I bushwhacked a river for a few hours just south of Campbell River on Rossiter Main and was surprised by the wonderful winter conditions and colors.
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