Captain's Log 2015

Pioneers Arrive

Henry, Liz, Andy, Chris, John, Matt, Jackson, William, Jon

What could possibly go wrong? Nine of us off to Hull Island with hundreds of pounds of provisions and equipment.. The first major expedition. We were landing on the property we now own, a place to set camp and live for a while.

On the boat we’re told there is a VERY STRICT burning ban in effect, no fires of any size. Cooking only on gas grills or camp stoves which of course we don't have. Coast guard boats, spotter planes, good citizens all watching out for wildfires or any potential violators. It has been a super dry summer and wildfires are raging across BC. Now we're nervous about how to cook 100 pounds of food and and survive almost a week without fire…(Like a moron, or like a survivalist (this one) I declined Don's generous offer of a large cookstove and 5 gallons of propane). We got this!

As the boat leaves leaves and we're left alone, Matt Chambers reads the Ojibwe Law of the Woods to the Hull Island Pioneers as we stand amidst the sea of giant coolers, tents, packs, food and equipment. Andy saves a potential severed leg as William and Jackson try out their new machetes by swinging them around. Thanks Andy - great catch and action.

From the start of this adventure in the early planning stages, I was continuously worried about where we were going to camp. I was the only one who had been on Hull and in the two times there didn’t recall seeing anything suitable for 9 people to camp. This had been hanging over me but I didn’t tell anyone so they also wouldn’t worry. If they only knew!

From the beach, with machetes in hand, people split off in two directions. Within a minutes, both groups broke through the underbrush along the shore and came upon a level area, mostly clear of brush and woods. Full of alder trees but level and mossy. What a giant relief. With all the gear we brought, any site even a few hundred feet away would have been arduous. This was it. Like a miracle, the campsite location was set.

Down by the water on east side Henry and Andy located a perfect "manna from heaven" spot for a small cooking fire that was safe and well hidden behind a giant rock. From this initial fire spot the most beautiful stone kitchen was born. Hull's Kitchen was an epic creation thanks to the hard work and stone skills of Matt and John Chambers, Andy and Henry Hattemer and master stone builder, chief director Christopher Geiger. Liz, William, Jackson, and I joined in. We dedicated Hull's Kitchen and used it for the entire week. We never got caught by the fire watchers. We kept fires small and burned only Henry/Andy approved select wood. A total success that lives on in our memories and in physical stone.

Over the next few days, we expanded the camp and cleared a 1/2 mile trail headed south along the west side. Nine of us working together on a trail gang that moved quickly and efficiently. First in formation were two people with chainsaws cutting down 30 years of treefall blocking the trail. Two more followed to clear the cut logs, pushing them into the woods. Two more followed wielding axes, machetes and loppers to cut back bushes, smaller trees and salal. The last three in the chain picked up smaller debris and made the trail look fabulous. This section of the trail became known as The Highway. The only trail on the island you could walk at a reasonable pace... like a highway, so easy to travel along. I will always be amazed what we did that year.. a feat of trail clearing not yet repeated as of 2021.

Our pioneer group was getting attention. Out of the clear blue sky and waters, Mike Buttle appeared with his ferry boat, The Buttle Shuttle, right through the narrow channel between Hull and Triangle Islands. It was the first time we met in person and from 60' away. Mike and the boat were quite the spectacle. I already feel very welcome in the region, what a gift!

Despite the heavy workload, we all found time to explore. Jackson and William went fishing off the rocks near Hull's Kitchen. Jackson took honors for the first and largest fish caught on Hull Island. One day the boys took off into the woods with the axes. As we walked down the highway soon after, we found their clear cut logging operation of 20 - 30 small alder trees cleanly cut and well stacked on the side of trail - impressive!

The kayaks 'first boats' were used to explore Matilpi and circumnavigate the island. John and Jackson led the way with the first two around the island. Chris was a constant at clearing and moving rocks for a landing spot. We ate really well - more than enough. I remember huge bacon and egg breakfasts, steak and chicken dinners, wine, cocktails and sitting on the rocks around Hull's Kitchen in a state of natural and family bliss.

One day, Don Wilson stopped by with a dozen fresh and still warm large cinnamon buns. We devoured them like hungry wolves The timing and the gift was amazing as the pioneers were getting restless from the lack of sugar and bread. I was on the paleo diet so had limited carb supplies. The buns were baked by the woman who also runs the Post Office out of her small cabin about 4 miles away in Chatham Channel. Super delicious! Don immediately became the frontier neighbor hero.

On another day Don brought over his World War II landing craft and dropped the ramp right down on the rocky north west shore. Very cool and exciting to see.

What could possibly be better than the entire week together? On the boat ride back to Port McNeill, we were fortunate to see 3 or 4 four very large humpback whales breaching in Clio Channel, fanning their tails and blowing their spouts. Unbelievable that on top of everything else we got a first rate whale sighting, the crowd went wild!