Experience the Great Bear Rainforest - Recent Articles

(Photo: Kermode "Spirit Bear" - not a polar bear!)

Since I haven't gotten off my duff to write about my own sea kayak experience in the Great Bear Rainforest, I'm going to include some articles that have showed up recently in the media. While both articles are beautifully written, neither really comes close to describing just how magnificent the area is. I am very lucky that I have an opportunity to assist Norm and Tantalus Adventures on guided sea kayak trips through the Great Bear Rainforest - which is believed to be the largest remaining tract of coastal temperate rainforest. Though it is a long haul to get to the starting point of this journey, the trip is well worth it. After a ferry ride south from Prince Rupert, we will begin our trip in Hartley Bay - a Gitga'at community which has made the area their home for generations. It's a priviledge to have them open their homes and be so willing to share their culture and lifestyle with us. Norm is an adopted member of the community and throughout the trip, will point out the sites that were or are still being used for the different aspects of their lives (e.g., ceremonies, seaweed harvesting, etc.). This is a unique opportunity that is offered by Tantalus Adventures.

There will be plenty of chances to see humpback and grey whales, orcas, coastal wolves, and black bears. We will even stop at Cetacealab - a whale research lab run by a couple who received special permission from the Gitga'at people to live in the area full-time. For me, being a marine mammal lover, this was an incredible place to visit and Hermann and Janie are an amazing couple. I could listen to the whale songs and vocalizations all day. The highlight of the trip is the opportunity to see the Kermode Bear which is also known as the Spirit Bear. The Kermode bear is a unique subspecies of the black bear found only in this part of the world where approximately one in ten black bear cubs display a white coat - a result of dominant recessive genes. You can go to either Adventure Contact or Tantalus Adventures for more information about the sea kayak trip. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading the articles. Better yet, I hope you think about coming with us to experience it yourself.

Wild, Handled with Care - The Boston Globe, May 4, 2008 (Norm and Tantalus Adventures is mentioned in the article.)

Paddling to Zootopia - National Geographic Adventure, November 2007 (Listed as one of the 25 Best New Trips for 2008, but consider Tantalus Adventures to be your personal guide :-) )