VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Yep, diff from last year, but I wonder if there isn't also a long-term trend to lighter wind. But maybe I just remember newbieness and being overpowered on a 5.0 no-twist speedsail when I didn't own anything smaller.

mortontoemike wrote:Is it just me or does Nitinat wind seem wimpy this year? I was there for 8 days ending yesterday and mostly sailed a 6.0. One day on a 5.5. The sun and fog were there but the wind seemed anemic compared to other years. Also, the wind was really only strong for an hour in the mid-afternoon with a little golden hour puff.

Last year I used:

- 6m kite 20%
- 8m kite 50%
- 10m kite 30%

This year I've used my 8m twice and should have been on the 10m both times and there were a number of times I wish I had a 12m/14m with me. My 6m is just collecting dust...

Much lighter than 2010.

Come on guys u just gota work it a bit or ride a c kite.

RookieRyan. You forgot to provide the url for your "ride a kite" comment. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g89NxTTycxc

"Let's go fly a kite, up to the ....."

Perfect!!!! Lol!

hope there is gonna be some good live music at the lake this weekend to get that song outta my head
Would kiteboarding exist without Mary P?

hi, has anybody taken Nanaimo River Rd? It looks "thick" on Google map, and I'm wondering if this would be a good alternative fro driving from Nanaimo. Is it paved? If not, how does it compare to roads around Lake Cowichan?

CrossOnshore - I think it stays paved for quite a while... I could be wrong though. It might be worth it to bring a 4x4, just in case. Then that way you know how much of it is paved, and you're prepared. I'm about to move to Nanaimo, so I'll be taking that route, too.

Everybody watch your stuff up there
Had 12 Heinekens stolen off a picnic table last sunday
Campsite was almost empty too...
Hope that yahoo has taken off...

CrossOnShore wrote:hi, has anybody taken Nanaimo River Rd? It looks "thick" on Google map, and I'm wondering if this would be a good alternative fro driving from Nanaimo. Is it paved? If not, how does it compare to roads around Lake Cowichan?

This question keeps coming up. Google should remove that road from their map. It is private land (Timber West), has gates, and is radio-controlled. If you do make it through a gate (e.g. by sneaking through after someone that has opened it) you may get locked in! You are also a road hazard since without a radio you will be "invisible" to the industry traffic. If you somehow get in there on a weekend and have a breakdown you are screwed, since there won't be anyone driving by and there is no cell coverage. This discussion is moot anyway, since it is probably faster and easier on your vehicle to either go through Port Alberni or Cowichan.

MartyD wrote:Everybody watch your stuff up there
Had 12 Heinekens stolen off a picnic table last sunday
Campsite was almost empty too...
Hope that yahoo has taken off...

Beware of a drunk bear?

~~~~~4j~~ wrote:

CrossOnShore wrote:hi, has anybody taken Nanaimo River Rd? It looks "thick" on Google map, and I'm wondering if this would be a good alternative fro driving from Nanaimo. Is it paved? If not, how does it compare to roads around Lake Cowichan?

This question keeps coming up. Google should remove that road from their map. It is private land (Timber West), has gates, and is radio-controlled. If you do make it through a gate (e.g. by sneaking through after someone that has opened it) you may get locked in! You are also a road hazard since without a radio you will be "invisible" to the industry traffic. If you somehow get in there on a weekend and have a breakdown you are screwed, since there won't be anyone driving by and there is no cell coverage. This discussion is moot anyway, since it is probably faster and easier on your vehicle to either go through Port Alberni or Cowichan.

oh and here I thought these two new guys had discovered a fourlane superhighway directly to Nitinaht Lake that all of us clowns had missed for all these years ....until just now bummer

KUS wrote: oh and here I thought these two new guys had discovered a fourlane superhighway directly to Nitinaht Lake that all of us clowns had missed for all these years ....until just now bummer

I was hoping that there might be a quicker route for us folks who live between Port and Vic . I don't think it would have made too much sense for you or anyone in Vic to take that route if it was available. Duncan would still be best...

I rode a mountain bike over that pass about 15 years ago. I remember it being steep at the top with a great downhill on the other side. Great trip and there are paved bits on the Nitinat side of the pass. It took all day to get to the Fish Hatchery. I wasn't in very good shape and I thought I had died when we arrived at our campsite. The loose gravel and slight incline going from the Hatchery towards Port Alberni was the killer. I would say you could do it in a quad but it would take way longer than the normal routes.

Not a good idea to take a dip in Nitinaht Lake, barefoot, at night! Even after a great sauna. Otherwise had an excellent couple days over the Long Weekend, and was great to see many of the Nitinaht regulars there, too. Could be something left in the thermal realm this September?