by Liam McNeil challenging experience, adding a new dimension to a journey, and while it does raise additional safety challenges, those can easily be overcome. Fog is generally encountered in one of three varieties. Radiation fog is usually only seen in the early morning over lakes or extremely calm inlets. With the rising sun and the first stirrings of a breeze, this fog dissipates quickly. Advection fog is much more common and problematic on the coast. Huge masses of moist air generated during the warm summer months condense over the cool offshore ocean waters. Drawn towards shore during the daylight hours, these fog banks can stretch for miles and reduce visibility to a few metres. Unlike radiation fog, considerable winds can persist even while the fog is present. This type of fog is so common in the summer months here on the west coast of Vancouver Island August is often jokingly referred to as Fogust. A third less common but hazardous type is a stratus surge fog. These infrequent summertime events are marked by a narrow band of stratus clouds moving along the ocean surface in a south-north direction. A stratus surge brings dramatic and sudden shifts in wind direction, velocity and visibility. I have experienced this on only one occasion while paddling in the Bunsby Islands on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Within a span of 15 minutes, a calm morning with clear skies was reduced to zero visibility with 25 knot winds from the southeast. A few simple pieces of equipment and knowledge can make paddling in fog possible and enjoyable. A compass combined with a chart are necessities
when paddling in areas with fog, making navigation possible regardless of visibility. Many individuals now utilize GPS units, which in addition to a chart and compass can be very useful. The lack of visibility does raise some potentially serious safety concerns for attempting a crossing in fog. Once away from the relative safety of the shoreline, there is a risk of paddling into the path of another vessel. Crossing shipping channels must be a calculated decision. Monitor Vessel Traffic Services on your VHF radio, and consider calling in to ask about oncoming ships. Keep your ears and eyes open for smaller boats and keep your group in a tight formation. Leaving the shoreline raises the potential of getting lost. Learn to trust your compass. A well-plotted compass bearing will lead you to your destination. Complicating matters is the need to compensate for the movement of the water upon which you are travelling. A long crossing in wind and current will have a substantial effect on your path, but with experience you will learn to compensate for those factors. A foggy day should be looked at as an opportunity to challenge your skills and experience from a new perspective in even familiar waters. Keep your compass handy and practice taking bearings during clear weather. With confidence a misty morning will become a blessing, not a curse.
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Liam McNeil is a Level 3 Guide with Class 4 Waters Endorsement, and Executive Director with the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance (SKGABC). When not paddling, he can be found enjoying the rains living in Tofino. Visit www.liammcneil.com
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FALL/WINTER 2013
COAST&KAYAK MAGAZINE
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