Photo Kealy Donaldson
O F F T H E B E AT E N PAT H
SAYWARD FOREST CANOE ROUTE K E A LY DON ALDSON
I had always wanted to do it. I knew one day I
I had picked them up the day before from Comox
would take the plunge and tackle the 48km paddle and
Valley Kayaks, who were extremely helpful is assisting
portage trek known as the Sayward Forest Canoe Route,
with my selection. I wasn’t sure what it was going to
attached to the Lower Campbell Lake on Central Van-
take to get through the loop, time wise, so I had loaded
couver Island. I asked a few friends to join me; they
supplies for three days just in case. Anyone who likes
were up for the task and agreed on my July 1 departure
the backcountry or isolated paddling knows that weight
date to paddle this gorgeous section of Vancouver Is-
adds up quickly. Once sorted out, I trudged up the hill
land. I had set up base camp at Long Point, a family
from Gosling Bay with my loaded kayak on wheels; half
favourite for past 20 years, and was chomping at the bit
way up I thought, if all the portage routes were going
to get going. It was the perfect jumping off point and I
to be like this, I made the wrong choice going it alone.
know Lower Campbell Lake, from a water perspective,
The portion was slightly over 1 km straight uphill. As
intimately, like the back of my hand.
my friend George would say, oh joie ( joy)!
As it turns out, everyone bailed and I was left to go it
Of course my stubbornness helped get me up and into
alone – solo – my first backcountry adventure in some
the next section in Gosling Lake, then into Higgins and
time, and I was truly excited to go! July 1 arrived, and
Lawier. These little puddles were fun. Peppered with
somehow I was running behind. I had planned to be on the lake for 8 am sharp but it was noon when my kayak hit the water. No matter – just get going, I told myself. It was a beautiful, hot summer day and I was stoked to be on the water. As I paddled out of Long Point, an eagle feather, floating on the top of the water, crossed my
blooming lily pads and lush lake shorelines, it was truly a beautiful section to experience. Next up was the mighty Mohun; I love this lake with its vastness and access points. I had a trio of Quebequois men on my tail and when they finally caught up to me at the Mohun Lake launch, they challenged me to a race up the
path; I grabbed it for good luck.
lake. “Game on, boys” I told them, “if you win, I’ll stick
Within an hour I arrived at Gosling Bay and with some
win, you have to send me flowers when you come back
help from a local camper got my portage wheels on.
to town.”
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around and cook you dinner tonight at your camp. If I Continued on next page
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