If you choose to travel up Petrel Channel I expect that you may camp across from Elbow Point. From there it’s around 10 NM from Elbow Point camp to Gilbert Island which is just across Ogden Channel from the mouth of Petrel Channel. At Gilbert you will find good upland camping but a long slippery beach at low tide. If you have another 7 or 8 NM in the tank you can make it to Oona River where lots of paddlers have sought civilized refuge. Check out the accounts of others for details. I know that Susan Conrad has stayed there and can help.
From Oona River to Prince Rupert you are looking at a 20-plus mile day which is going to expose you to a change of currents and tide height. Be aware that a strong ebb added to the outflow of the Skeena River can be a real treat (NOT) but might work in your favor. The Skeena deposits huge amounts of silt between Kennedy Island and Port Edward. Aside from impressive tide flats you may encounter surprising currents so do your homework. I’ve only been that way once and I didn’t do enough study so I had a long day learning what not to do.
If you travel up Principe Channel and camp at Hankin Point with the intent of spending some “exposed time” outside of Goshen, Porcher, Prescott and Stephens Islands you are in for a treat and this is where you carefully check the weather forecast to insure nothing crazy is on the way. If weather has turned or is threatening you can turn into Ogden Channel and head towards Oona River. On the other hand, if you stay outside, you will find a nice gravel beach just 12 NM away at Joachim Point on Goschen Island. I’m not aware of any upland tent sites there but if I am going to camp on a beach I want it to be like Joachim Point.
The beach is composed of rounded gravel and pretty nice to sleep on. Because it’s gravel it is steeper than a more fine-grained sandy beach which makes it a short haul at any tide level.
At this point, depending on weather, tides and the route you choose, you are between 20-ish NM to 35-ish NM out of Prince Rupert. So maybe a day if you go through Edye Passage and a couple of days if you go up around Stephens Island. Depending on the tidal exchange you should expect current in Edye Passage and the Welcome Harbour complex so do your homework there and talk to some folks who can provide guidance. I haven’t been through Edye before but my charts indicate overfalls between Arthur Island and Porcher. Once that is negotiated you have about 11 NM of open water on Chatham Sound so again, study and watch the weather.
If you go up around Stephens Island, I would respectfully suggest that you plan on staying at the mariner’s cabin on South Rachael Island.
The reason for that is that it makes for a short day into Prince Rupert leaving plenty of time for you to get into town, pick up the food you had shipped, secure lodging for the night, square away your gear for departure and score a juicy burger with mass quantities of beer.
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