We arrived in Foch-Gilttoyees Provincial Park early in the morning, slowly entering the final stretch of the park as the sun rose over the surrounding peaks. The passengers and naturalists amassed on the bow to watch for megafauna and chat while the day warmed up. After breakfast, the Zodiacs hit the water for a tour of the aquatic sections of the park with a brief excursion up the river mouth. Guests were delighted to see eagles, waterfowl, and harbor seals exploring the intertidal inlets and pools. After a return to the ship, guests ate lunch and departed a second time for land excursions and water activities (kayaking and paddleboarding). After exploring the old growth forests and intertidal regions, the hikers returned to the ship as the sun passed behind the surrounding peaks. As the ship set sail for our next destination, guests discussed the day’s experiences and enjoyed supper. Overall, the location and weather provided an amazing experience that guests and staff will not soon forget.
9/25/2022
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National Geographic Venture
Lowe Inlet Marine Provincial Park
On this, the final day of our expedition, we awoke to the sound of rain in Lowe Inlet Marine Provincial Park. After several days of attempting to make our way to Lowe, only to get thwarted by whales, killer whales, bears, and other wildlife, we finally arrived today. The rainforest greeted us with the full rain shower service we have come to love and expect, and we greeted the rainforest first thing in the morning with the option to either hike or cruise through this lovely place. Intrepid hikers made their way from the inside of the back bay of Lowe through the home of the Great Bear and into the muskeg typical of this landscape, which used to be covered in glaciers. Those of us who explored by water were treated to a close-up view of Vierney Falls. We also explored the back bay where salmon swam, herons hunted, eagles perched above us, and kingfishers dipped about. Early on, our Zodiacs spotted yet another black bear, who greeted us before wandering back into its forested home. This trip has been so full of bears that we are struggling to keep count. After our cruises, we loaded back onto the vessel and turned due north to our final destination of Prince Rupert, our first stop where we began so many days ago. Our journey here was unexpected in every way. It was so full of life and memories that we will carry with us as long as we tell the story of where, how, and who. Where these animals live, how they need this forest to survive, who the people that live here are, and how they continue to fight for this land after calling it their home for thousands of years.
