Port Hardy rivals Fiji

[Uncle Pug]

At least when it comes to the diving! The accomodations were a little different as was the temperature. I have a picture of my steaming hot cocoa mug with ice crystals around the rim.

OE2X, Snowbear, Shane and myself spent a week camping in freezing conditions with water temps in the mid 40s. I only had two dives where my neck seal did not leak! The wind chill at 25mph in an open boat while wet and with an air temp of 20F is... numbing.

But the diving was incredible! The colors and visibility were just as good (if not better) than Fiji... most certainly better than any of the diving I've ever done in Hawaii.

And the food was great... OE2X is an accomplished chef. My favorite was Bear Pooh Stew (my name for it.) It didn't look like much but I'm convinced it saved my life. I was seriously hypothermic but a cup of BPS warmed me right up during the SI and I was able to make the second dive... after which another mug of BPS brought me back to life again.

Port Hardy is at the End of the Road on North Vancouver Island, British Columbia. We were the only ones diving there this time of year. In fact we were the only ones out on the water other than a few commercial fishing vessels and the Canadian Coast Guard.

I might add that this trip turned out to be very economical. It only cost $330 each for the seven day trip and that included all fuel for trucks and boat, food, ferry, campground, nitrox fills and propane for our heaters and cook stove.

I've posted 20 photos from the trip here.

 

[justleesa]

Man that's cold! Hats off to you guys!

Looks like you had fun though. Was was the average dive time? Did you stop because of the cold or because of air?

I really like the picture of the green anemone and the orange peel nudis, they really look like orange peel!

 

[cool_hardware52]

UP,

How does one negotiate a frozen launch ramp? This looks like a real problem with great potential to "launch" more than you intended.

Crampons and Ice axes?

Seriously what's the technique?


Tobin

 

[Uncle Pug]

I really like the picture of the green anemone and the orange peel nudis, they really look like orange peel!

Thank you... it was my first real attempt at taking U/W pics and I think I like it a lot! The orange peel nudis look good enough to eat... but I don't think I'll try.

My favorite picture is the Red Irish Lord. I have it on my desk top in the full 3.5 meg version and it is incredible!

I haven't downloaded my Stinger but IIRC our shortest dive was around 45 minutes and the longest ~ 75 minutes. Most were in the one hour range.

The cold was more of a factor in limiting the dive. We always had plenty of gas (we used EAN32 with the exception of the last dive where Snowbear and I used 30/30 trimix.)

 

[Uncle Pug]

Seriously what's the technique?

We drove to a boat launch that was in the sun and clear of ice.

 

[cool_hardware52]

We drove to a boat launch that was in the sun and clear of ice.

The simple answers are usually the best answers


Tobin

 

[OE2X]

I have to second what UP said about Port Hardy.

We dove some awesome walls. Collectively our favorite was Seven Tree. This dropped down beyond how far we could see and I had a max of 124' on one of the dives there. We also had at least 75' of vis if not closer to 100'. Seven Tree blew away all expectations that I had for Port Hardy. I would like to go back and dive the wreck of the Themus and Snowflake Reef next time. Browning Wall was fine but didn't hold a candle to either Seven Tree, Ruth Rocks, or 5 Fathom Reef.

There are numerous dive sites in this area. Tides are a factor though. You need to catch the walls on slack. There are some pinnacles out in the main channels that would be great to dive, but currents and wind can be a big factor. This can be pretty unprotected.

The folks at North Island Divers in Port Hardy were wonderful with handing out information. All the locations that we were told about as well tide info was very accurate. They are a full service shop and had plenty of product if you forgot an item or had something get broken. Super friendly and accommodating too.

If you need camping facilities, then I highly advise you to use Sunny Sanctuary Campground. Al and Slyvia were very helpful. They helped get tide info and answered all of our questions. Very nice people and they made our stay very pleasant despite the cold weather.
http://www.island.net/~sunnycam/

We also spent an a very nice evening with another SB member WEDIVEBC and his wife. Wonderful people and very accommodating. It made the trip.

All in all it was an awesome trip, with some great people. I understand why J Cousteau liked it so much up there. I can't wait to go back!

 

[Uncle Pug]

OE2X.... I don't know if you've checked but the area where we were diving has gale warnings right now. We got out of there just in time.

 

[GDI]

Isn't the diving up there awesome. I just love diving BC

 

[OE2X]

OE2X.... I don't know if you've checked but the area where we were diving has gale warnings right now. We got out of there just in time.

"Smooth and Stable"!!!

At least it has got to be warmer. What can I say, do I know how to pick dates or what?