I recently had the pleasure of joining Russell Markel and the Outer Shores Expeditions crew aboard the beautiful schooner Passing Cloud for a tour in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site.
Gwaii Haanas is the southern part of Haida Gwaii and was born as a result of a standoff in 1985 between the Haida who have called this archipelago home for tens of thousands of years and logging companies intent on clearcutting the vast ancient old growth forests. Commercial fishing interests were also decimating native fish stocks with attendant effects both up and down the food chain.
The legacy of this brave act is a remote pristine wilderness conservation area that is a photographer’s dream. Perched on the edge of the continental shelf, Gwaii Haanas is visited by all kinds of whales, dolphins, sea lions and other marine megafauna. The rugged west coast is never still – open ocean swell pounds the windswept shore.
In contrast on the eastern lee side can be found tranquil bays, massive old growth forests and abundant evidence of ancient peoples such as the famous house and mortuary poles at the various village sites.
Haida watchmen (and women!) are on site at the main cultural stops to help interpret the remains for visitors and to perpetuate the stories and legends of the Haida people passed down through generations in their rich oral tradition.
My role on the trip was to try to document the tour from the perspective of a guest. I captured some of the sights and sounds in the slideshow below, but one could return annually for decades and experience something new each time. Lucky for me I’ll be heading back next summer to lead the newest Outer Shores Photo Tour: Kunghit Island!
