Dates: August 11-17th (sold out), August 21-27th (sold out), 2023

Price: $4650 + gst

Location: Gitga’at Territory, British Columbia

Pre Requisites: Paddle experience is recommended but not required.

Cost Includes the Following

  • All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on day 7
  • All local protocol fees.
  • Watchman cabin and longhouse accommodation
  • All paddling equipment including inflatable touring boards & pfd’s
  • Boat support throughout expedition.
  • Small, intimate group size of no more than six paddlers

Price Does Not Include the Following

  • Transportation to Terrace, B.C. (airport)
  • Shuttle from Terrace Airport to Microtel in Kitimaat
  • Personal belongings and equipment (see equipment & packing list)
  • Accommodation in Kitimat  prior to morning departure and on the final evening of our trip.
  • Excess baggage charges.
  • Any extra expenses incurred because of weather, logistical delays, or delayed departures of chartered or scheduled aircraft.
  • Gratuities

Payment

A $500 deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your place on the expedition with the balance to be paid 60 days prior to trip departure. Full payments can be made via email transfer to explore@normhann.com. 

Cancellations

Read about our cancellation policy here. Please email explore@normhann.com if you need to cancel at any time.

FAQ

Q:How long are the paddling days?

A: Most days are between 2-4 hours of paddling. The focus of the trip is not on big mileage and big distances but experiencing the Great Bear Rainforest at a relaxed and enjoyable pace. We have to remain flexible as we may spend more time hiking up salmon rivers on a particular day or watching Humpback Whales from our boards.

Q: What type of experience and fitness is required?

A: Guests will need to have some standup paddleboard experience in order to enjoy the week of paddling and to allow the group to travel at practical pace. We recommend having a really good lesson to start with in order to develop an efficient forward stroke and then spending weekly time standup paddleboarding in your local area. Ask us about a proper paddling program for multi day expeditions.

Q: What are the ocean conditions like?

A: Most of the areas we paddle in are quite protected and beautiful. We try to avoid windy and wavy conditions and having boat support allows our group the flexibility to avoid poor paddling conditions and to carry all of our gear. The ocean though is dynamic and our group has to be prepared for wind, waves and current.

Q: What are the accommodations like?

A: On this trip we have the incredibly unique opportunity to stay on the land. Our first two nights are in a traditional longhouse in Raven Territory. The remote location of this longhouse is at the back of an inlet that cuts deep into Princess Royal Island. See the photos tab for a picture.  Our next four evenings will be at a Gitga’at Watchman cabin which has two separate rooms and a loft that can accommodate our group comfortably. It also has a wood burning fireplace to keep you warm and dry.

A Transformative Paddle  Journey in Gitga’at Territory.

The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the most incredible natural ecosystems remaining in the world and is a sought after destination for those who want to experience intact temperate rainforest, unique wildlife and the powerful culture of the Coastal First Nations.  This paddle experience with Norm is a journey of discovery, reflection, and enlightenment as you travel through this transformative landscape.

Our trip coincides with the return of wild, pacific salmon to the rivers of Princess Royal Island. These salmon supercharge the coastal river systems and sets the stage for one of the most miraculous species migrations in the world. The annual salmon run in the Great Bear Rainforest provides a critical food source that attracts bears, wolves, eagles and most species found in the Great Bear. Our paddleboards  transport you alongside these wild salmon,  with Humpback whales which have returned to the area in huge numbers, past Stellar Sea Lion haul outs and under the watchful eye’s of Bald Eagles, Coastal Wolves and the Great Bears.

Our trip begins in the village of Kitimat and our seven day journey travels through Gitga’at Territory, one of the richest coastal environments along the west coast of North America. Great Bear Rainforest guide Norm Hann, has been connecting people to this area since 2000 and has been adopted into the Raven Clan by Eva Hill. This honor allows guests an intimate and rare connection to people and the land. Norm has been a passionate defender for the conservation, protection and education of the Great Bear Rainforest through his Standup4Greatbear Society, Stand Film Expedition and Take a Stand for Conservation programs.

Our trip is an exploration, not only of the area but of your own connection and place within this wild ecosystem. A moving experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

This itinerary may be altered due to factors such as weather, tides, and group interest, with guides working within the parameters of safety, time, and area highlights. This standup paddleboard (SUP) trip will be boat assisted providing gear shuttle and safety support.

Day 1

  • Morning ferry departure from MK Bay Marina to Princess Royal Island in Gitga’at Territory. Boat ride is approximately 2.5hrs.
  • Afternoon paddle inlet paddle to Gitga’at Longhouse.

Day 2-6

  • These days will be spent exploring the inlets, islands, waterways and traditional territory of the Gitga’at people on the northwest corner of Princess Royal Island. Princess Royal Island is the fourth largest island on the BC Coast. We will be looking for the abundant wildlife including, bears, wolves, eagles, and sea lions in estuaries and smaller rivers. Humpback Whales have returned their traditional feeding grounds and we should have opportunies to paddle alongside these majestic mammals as well a visit a whale research station. August signals the start of the salmon run in the Gitga’at Territory and time will be spent walking up salmon streams and watching this miracle of life. Accommodations for the first couple of nights will be at a Gitga’at Raven longhouse and the remaining four days and nights will be spent at a Gitga’at Watchman Cabin where we will set a base camp in order to explore the area.

Day 7

  • After an early morning paddle or hike we will have breakfast before our mid morning boat shuttle back to Kitimat Village and the conclusion of our trip.

Provided By Norm Hann Expeditions

  • Red Paddle Co 13’2 Voyagers with paddle, leash, PFD
  • Large and small drybags available on request.

Participant to Bring

Footwear

  • Rubber Boots
  • Booties or water shoes (for paddling)
  • Camp shoes
  • 2 pair of socks

Upper Body

  • 2 long sleeve synthetic shirts
  • 2 synthetic t shirts
  • 1 fleece top or fleece jacket
  • down/synthetic jacket
  • Waterproof Jacket

Lower Body

  • 2 pair long underwear
  • Hiking pants
  • Waterproof rain pants
  • underwear
  • shorts/boardshorts/bathing suit

Head and Hands

  • Toque
  • 1 sun hat or ball cap
  • paddling gloves (if your hands are sensitive to cold)

Camping Gear

  • sleeping bag
  • sleeping pad
  • small pillow
  • ear plugs

Additional Gear

  • water bottle
  • personal toiletries
  • personal medication
  • small towel
  • sunscreen
  • insect repellant
  • binoculars
  • sunglasses/prescription eyewear
  • notebook/journal/reading material
  • camera, batteries
  • headlamp with extra batteries
  • individual nutritional requirements

** You and your group must arrive in Kitimat, B.C. prior to Day 1 of the trip where you will overnight. A short shuttle from Kitimat will take you to MK Bay Marina and Kitimaat Village where our water taxi will meet us.

Getting to Kitimat

You must arrive in Kitimat the day before the water taxi departs for Hartley Bay.

By Air

Air Canada operates flights daily into Terrace, B.C. with departures from YVR/Vancouver. You will land at the Terrace airport and from there you will have a shuttle to the Microtel Inn & Suites in Kitimat, B.C.

Accommodations in Kitimat, B.C

Norm Hann Expeditions reserves rooms for guests at the Microtel Inn & Suites in Kitimat. These are nice, clean, comfortable rooms with a continental breakfast included.