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2018 Canneries of the North Coast Highlights

One of our first tours of the year is the “Canneries of the North Coast” and also one of the most unique.  Over the 4 days we visit over 18 remnants of the salmon canneries of the lower Skeena River and the islands at the entrance to it.  Names like Balmoral, Humpback Bay, Claxton and Carlisle to name a few.  We also visit some of the most remote  fishing related communities on the north coast like the Icelandic Community of Osland and the boat building town of Oona River.  Plus we stay 4 nights in a cannery at one of the most unique accommodations in BC- Cassiar Cannery.  The trip is for those who like small group sizes and getting off the beaten path to see some of the most unique sites on the north coast.

Here are some photos of the 2018 tour

Old Boat House at Oona River
Old Growth walk along Oona River
Exploring old Boardwalk among the sedge grass.
Exploring amongst the pilings of an old cannery
Heading back to jet boat after exploring old cannery ruins
Some of the guests aboard the bus at Oona River
Exploring the ruins of Claxton Cannery
Remains of the old Dr House near Dodge Cove
Photographing an discarded headstone left n the mud
Exploring the “Bone Yard” between the cannery piliings
An old headstone at a lower Skeena Cemetery
Enjoying lunch and the views on a secluded island beach
The remains of the humpback bay cannery
The “Rainbow House” at Oona River!
Remains of a lower Skeena River Cannery
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2019 Adventure Brochure is out!

We are excited to release the dates for our 2019 Adventure Tours and the brochure.  Here is a snapshot of the two page brochure.  Individual brochures for each tour will be out shortly.

Let us know if you have any questions about this years tours!

Rob.bryce@unbc.ca

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New Schedule for 2019

We are excited for the upcoming year of Adventure Tours through UNBC Continuing Studies.  Every year the tours get better as we fine tune all the small details.  Most tours are only delivered once a year and occasionally twice if sufficient demand well in advance of the tour date.  These tours are not geared towards academic students but rather those with an interest in adventure and experiencing northern BC. The tours have a small group size of upto 10-12 guests at he most and rely heavily on  guest speakers and authentic locals that share their knowledge about the places we visit. Our average age of our guests is around 60 years old and some as old as 85.  We do have younger people join us as well but predominantly it is an older clientele.

I thought I would share 10 photos form last year that highlight some of the trips we did.

We watched this little grizzly for 30 min before he even knew he was being watched!
Our group that toured Kitsault and Alice Arm along with the manager of the Modern day Ghost Town!
One of the many cannery sites we visit on our “Canneries of the Northcoast Tour”. A great tour for those looking for unique and seldom visited sites!
We use the majestic Skeena River for a couple of our tours. There is nothing like the passing through the coastal mountains on the river on a bluebird day!
Very few people get a chance to go through the “Grand Canyon of the Fraser” in a jet boat and experience what the early explorers did!
We find some of the nicest places on the north coast to enjoy a tasty lunch!
You will not find the uniqueness of these buildings anywhere else. Buildings that are over 100 years old and still standing today! Anyox is remote and inaccessible but we can get you there.
This place is a photographers dream and a place where you can go back in time!
We get you up close and personal with the longest railway bridge in BC. Over 100 years old and still going strong!
Guest arriving on float plane to view bears in a remote Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
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The Rarely Explored Lower Skeena River and Canneries

The lower Skeena River where it enters into the Pacific Ocean is one of the most historic areas in this region but one of the most seldom visited.  There are a few reasons for this.

  1. The tides in this area fluctuate greatly each day and can expose sand bars and make access to some of the sites difficult.  The timing of launching a boat and accessing the sites needs to be planned out to ensure the tides do not leave you stranded.
  2. The area has limited access points to launch a jet boat which is needed to navigate this area of the Skeena
  3. I don’t think people realize just how many interesting sites there are to see in this area

Here are some photos of past guests enjoying the unique sites and nature.

Join us for another tour of the remote and unique area May 15-18, 2018

Black Cat & Rainbow House!
Black Cat & Rainbow House!
Old School Trampoline
Old School Trampoline
Photographing an old Bone Yard
Photographing an old Bone Yard
Photographing old Canneries out of the boat
Photographing old Canneries out of the boat
Enjoying a well deserved lunch on a remote beach
Enjoying a well deserved lunch on a remote beach on an island
The man who fell from Heaven Petroglyph
The man who fell from Heaven Petroglyph
The old Hi-Lo boat lying in the grass
The old Hi-Lo boat lying in the grass
Another float by Cannery Photo-Op
Another float by Cannery Photo-Op
Exploring an old Sawmill site
Exploring an old Sawmill site
Osland Boardwalk
Osland Boardwalk

 

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The Lower Skeena Canneries and Historic Sites!

The lower Skeena Estuary and coastal area is home to this region’s most historic sites. This seldom visited area has a a wide variety of unique sites related to the early history of this region.  The area is home to the many abandoned canneries, boat building towns, mills, and fishing villages. There were over 30 canneries on the north coast in the early 1900’s and this created many associated towns and industry in the area. Touring this part of the NorthCoast is truly a memorable experience for anyone interested in a unique historical adventure!

May 15-18, 2018 at Cassiar Cannery

The Hi-Lo Crab Boat
Cassiar Cannery from the Air
Remnants of Claxton Cannery
Old abandoned North Coast Boat
Old cabin at Osland
Haysport Boardwalk
The Rainbow House at Oona River
An Old Boat House at Oona River
Old Dr House at Digby Island
The foundation of the Old Hospital on Hospital Island
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How Simon Sees the Canneries of the North Coast

Last summer were fortunate to tour a few Social Media Influencers around the Northwest Coast and one of the days was spent in the heart of the historic salmon canneries of the early 1900’s.  We were also blessed to have Northern BC Tourism content creator Simon Ratcliffe along to assist and take some amazing photos of the area.  Check out Simon’s website for some other spectacular photos from some of his other journeys.   Below are a few of the photos as “Simon Sees” through the lense!

How SimonSees the Canneries of the North Coast!

Capturing the imagery and stories of people I meet on my travels.

Simon Ratcliffe
Simon Ratcliffe of Simon Sees

Simon Sees Website

Haunted Doctors house on Digby Island
Social Media Influencer Matt Mosteller is afraid to take another step towards the haunted Dr’s house of Digby Island. Courtesy @simonsees
Canneries of the North Coast
A beautiful boat house on stilts! courtesy @simonsees
Heron on Canneries of north Coast
A Heron waiting for its next meal on the lower Skeena River. Courtesy @simonsees
abandoned boat on UNBC Canneries Tour
One of the many abandoned boats lying on the shores of the lower Skeena River.  photo courtesy of @Simonsees
North Pacific Cannery UNBCTour
Trees growing off a stilted platform at North Pacific Cannery. Photo Courtesy of @simonsees
canneries of the north coast north Pacific
Classic Cannery Building on pilings. Photo courstesy of @simonsees
North Pacific Cannery
North Pacific Cannery! Photo courtesy of @simonsees
Port Essington Boneyard
George Frizzell Boneyard! Remnants from the imported cows of the butcher shop! Photo courtesy @simonsees
Carlisle Cannery UNBC Canneries tour
Ringbolts from a rock island at Carlisle Cannery! Can you see them? Simon Can! Photo courtesy @simonsees
Cassiar Cannery
Double rainbow from the deck of the Manager houses at Cassiar Cannery! Photo Courtesy @simonsees
Osland Icelandic community
Old abandoned boat from the Icelandic community of Osland! photo courtesy of @simonsees
Osland Icelandic fishing community
The long boardwalk at the Icelandic fishing community of Osland! Photo courtesy of @Simonsees

For more information on the UNBC Canneries of the North Coast Tour:

Canneries of the North Coast Tour

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Westworld Magazine Skeena River Tour Article

Northern BC Adventure Tours Article

The Skeena River and Northwest BC are one of the most beautiful places in the world.  We were fortunate enough to share this region with writer Janet Gyenes who gave a very stunning account of her visit to the area.  We incorporated a touch of many of our Northern BC Adventure Tours during the few days.  Read the online article or the screenshots below.

Online link to the issue Page 11 for the article

UNBC Adventure Tour
Northern BC Adventure Tour Article
Skeena River Historical Journey
BCAA Westworld article on the Skeena River Historical Journey
Skeena River Historic Tour
Page three of the BCAA Westworld article on the UNBC Continuing Studies Northern BC Adventures
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The Canneries of the Lower Skeena River

A Truly Amazing North Coast BC Tour!

The lower Skeena River on British Columbia’s North Coast was line with over 26 canneries starting in 1877 with the Inverness Cannery. Inverness was situated in the Skeena Slough or one arm of the delta of the Skeena River before it empties into the Pacific Ocean. This slough is also Known as “Cannery Row” due to the numerous canneries which lined it’s shores. North Pacific Cannery and Cassiar Cannery still have substantial remains with North Pacific now a national historic site. Other than these two relatively easily accessible canneries, many of the other ones are boat access only and at different stages of decay and remaining remnants. The hidden treasures that remain and the stories they tell are truly amazing. One of the best sources of information on the canneries is Gladys Blyth’s book “Salmon Canneries British Columbia North Coast”. We are fortunate to be able to deliver a 3 day tour to these sites plus many other fishing villages and historic sites in our “Canneries of the North Coast Tour”. Through the UNBC “Northern BC Adventures Program”

 

canneries north coast unbc
Information of the Canneries of the North Coast
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Top 10 Derelict Boats on the Northwest Coast

The lower Skeena River and the north coast  is home to  many weathered derelict fishing boats that have been abandoned or washed up on shore.  They are truly a photographers paradise to capture that amazing photo unlike any other.  Each boat has a one of kind story and history behind them from salmon fishing, gillnetting, crabbing or transportation. This seldom visited area has many boats lining the shores and just takes a keen eye and some tips on where to look.  Here is our top 10 list with a couple of honorable mentions.  If you know any specific history on any of these boats we would love to hear about them.

To see these boats and to have a chance to get up close and personal with them check out our “Canneries of the North Coast” tour where we visit these boats and many more.

https://blogs.unbc.ca/unbcexptour/canneries-of-the-northcoast/

#1

Oona River boat on top ten abandoned boats list
This Oona Boat river boat is a true classic with its bright yellow paint.

#2

The Hilo crabbing boat of Port Essington
The Hi -Lo of Port Essington, What a resting place! The Lyngby Sedge provides a beautiful backdrop for this inner coastal crabbing boat.

#3

Old abandoned boat on the shores of the Skeena River Cannery Row
This old boat lies on the banks of the Skeena River’s historic Cannery Row

#4

Oona River baot as seen on the Canneries of the North Coast Tour
This boat has seen better days but is still able to cast a beautiful shadow.

#5

Osland classic wooden boat on Canneries of the North Coast Tour
This Osland “Classic” is beautiful wooden boat just waiting for someone to take its picture!

#6

This abandoned boat lies on the shores of Lelu Island as a part of the Canneries of the North Coast Tour
When I think of “Derelict” boat this is what comes to mind!

#7

Porcher Island derelict boat
This Porcher Island floating hulk is one of the most utilitarian of them all!

#8

Another Oona River Boat
A beautiful reflection of a beautiful Oona River Boat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#9

A classic derelict boat
Nothing like a closeup of a classic fishing boat! this one probably has alot of epic stories

#10

If only the Duke could speak
The Duke! With a name like that it must have cruised the open water with pride!

Honorable Mention!

If it only had the other half it might have made the top 10
Hard to tell exactly how old this on is but well on it sway to being a Skeena River Relic!
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The Port Essington Experience Revealed!

One of the iconic towns of the Skeena River is the town of Port Essington. Founded by Robert Cunningham in 1871 and a fall camping spot of the Tsimshian known as Spokeshute this site has over a wealth of interesting sites and features that will truly amaze you! A jungly 100 year cemetery with hundreds of moss covered headstones, a grisly boneyard of cow skulls and bones, a one km long boardwalk falling into disrepair, pilings protruding out of the brackish river on their last legs, a boiler form the Cunningham sawmill, old bottles, trinkets, and remnants from over 100 years of habitation. The One day Port Essington Experience will jet boat you back in time to a place that few have visited and explored.

May 27, 2017
Terrace, BC