The journey will start in Squamish, head north along the Sunshine Coast towards Desolation Sound, traverse the islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland until reaching Port McNeill, then circle Vancouver Island counterclockwise until our terminus at Campbell River. This route is the optimal direction for paddling given the prevailing northerly winds in the summer, which will be at our backs for the challenging journey down the west coast of the Island. It will also allow us to visit remote data deficient areas on the northern and western parts of the Island during the first half of the expedition, when we are still fresh and not pressed for time.
Based on our own experience, research, and conversations with friends who have kayaked around Vancouver Island, we predict that this journey would take 55 days without data collection. With data collection, we predict that this journey will take a bit more than three months. To take advantage of summer conditions, we will depart on June 1st and finish by September 20th. The journey is divided into stages separated by stops to resupply and ship off samples. Key stopping areas include Campbell River, Port Hardy, Tahsis, Tofino, Victoria, and Nanaimo; optional stops on the remote north and west parts of Vancouver Island include Alert Bay, San Josef Bay, Port Alice, Fair Harbour, and Bamfield. We will be self-sufficient between stops and camp at public sites in the Marine Trails network.