Beausoleil Island: The “Bear” Facts

by

by Glenn Davy

In an attempt to duplicate last Autumn’s outstanding trip to Beausoleil (located near Honey Harbour, Ontario), I decided to run the same basic trip this Spring. I was actually hoping for cool weather since this would be only one weekend removed from the long weekend, and the hordes of power boaters that invade this area once the weather warms to a summer-like condition. I got my wish, but the winds that kept temperatures down somewhat nearly blew us off the water at times.

This was not to be a rushed trip, especially being the first trip of the season for some of us, including me. I met the group at a restaurant near the cut-off from Highway 400 to Honey Harbour around 10 a.m. From there we proceeded to launch from the main docks, leaving the cars at Joe’s Parking, as we did last year. (Joe is a very affable character and reasonably priced, if any of you are considering a trip in this area.) By 11:30 we were on the water and heading north through the main channel. The winds were strong out of the northwest, but not unbearable. Nina, Stewart, David, Julia and myself meandered among the few islands and inlets as we passed Big Dog Channel and headed up into the main channel that leads to Georgian Bay proper, and the north end of the Island. The leaves were fairly far along for that time of year and that resulted in a pleasant lushness over the area that had been forgotten over the long winter.

As we left the narrows just north of Little Dog Channel (I am still looking for Medium-sized Dog Channel…), we got the wind full force with a definite funnelling effect down the strait. At this point I estimated the winds at 20 kts gusting to 30. Rounding the point into Honeymoon Bay took considerable effort in that wind, although the waves weren’t really a problem. We finally made it in all right though, and soon had our tents and gear spread out in their appropriate places on the east side of the Bay. It was great having the place to ourselves once again, although I was dubious that any boat short of a large tug could use the dock as the deck of the dock was some 4 or 5 feet above the low water line!

The afternoon was perfect for lazing around, which I took full advantage of, having not that long before, broken a finger which was now paining me considerably. Nina and Stewart went hiking while Julia and Dave decided to practise their braces and whatnot. I decided the only place I wanted ice was in my drinks, so I just watched from the shore. Nina and Stewart arrived back after an hour or so, and I decided to get a closer look at Julia and Dave in their boats, so headed over to the dock where they were. By now it was near 6 p.m., and as I headed down the dock, a yellow sign caught my eye. “CAUTION! Bear in Area – travel with caution!” Ohhhhh great! Just what we needed. We held a quick pow-wow and decided that it was far too late to move, and where would we go anyway. So, we huddled the tents close together for safety and being the only biologist in the group, I gave a short talk on what to do and how to behave in the event of a visit from the local bruin. Everyone seemed receptive to my comments, until I got to the part about sacrificing one’s body to save the organizer (well, SOMEBODY had to go for help in the end!!!). In any event, after an extensive look-see around, there were no obvious signs of any recent (large) visitors, so we really weren’t too terribly worried.

The night passed almost without incident. I thought it had been a very quiet, uneventful night, but Stewart claims to have heard some bird being killed by an animal nearby (a blood-curdling scream was the give-a-way), which I scoffed at. That is, until Julia corroborated his story, and I was forced to admit I had got more sleep than I thought.

After a long breakfast we broke camp and opted to head over to the mouth of the MacDonald River before heading back to Honey Harbour. It was a beautiful day for paddling and we had a great trip over. This seemed like the perfect spot for lunch, and so we lollygagged about the rapids for an hour or so. With the wind on the rise again, and forecast to back to the southwest, we headed off for the Harbour. The number of powerboats on the water was on the increase, but most seemed courteous and gave us our room.

Once again this was a great trip with lots to see and experience, but also once again, it was my good fortune to have such a great group of paddlers along with me. It makes organising and paddling with GLSKA a very enjoyable past time, and I look forward to my next trip. Thanks to Nina, Dave, Julia and Stewart for their participation.

GLSKA Waiver

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

DEFINITION

In this Release Agreement, the term Sea Kayaking Activities shall include but is not limited to: all activities, events or services provided, arranged, organized, conducted, sponsored or authorized by the Releasees and shall including moving water, still water, lake and ocean kayaking; loan or rental of kayaks (hereinafter "the boats") and other equipment; orientational and instructional courses, seminars and sessions; all travel, transportation, and accommodation; food, beverage including water supply, use of equipment, and multi-day camping or overnight stays in the outdoors.

In this Release Agreement, the term "Negligence" includes the failure by the Releasees to use such care as a reasonably prudent and careful guide, instructor, trip organizer or sea kayaking operator would use under similar circumstances, or breach of any other duty of care imposed by law.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

Participation in Sea Kayaking Activities involves various risks, dangers and hazards including the risk of serious injury, paralysis or death. Sea Kayaking Activities often take place in remote wilderness locations, where assistance, medical and first aid services and evacuation may not be readily available, and communication may be difficult or not possible. The risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered include, but are not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the departure point; slips and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact or collision with objects; cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia; drowning; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; encounters with domestic or wild animals; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES.

Please refer to the GLSKA Risk Management Strategy section of their website for further information regarding the risks, dangers and hazards that may be encountered during Sea Kayaking Activities.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (hereinafter the "Release Agreement") BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in Sea Kayaking Activities as defined in this Release Agreement, I hereby agree as follows:

  1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expenseor injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN SEA KAYAKING ACTIVITIES REFERRED TO ABOVE;
  1. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in Sea Kayaking Activities;
  2. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity;
  3. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and no other jurisdiction; and
  4. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within the Province of Ontario and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.

In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of Sea Kayaking Activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, AND I AM AWARE THAT BY ACCEPTING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.