Originally published October 17, 2017
Dallas Island was one of Bill’s primary camps. At ~21NM from Shearwater it was midway to his
camps on Aristazabal. Dallas is located
along the eastern edge of Milbanke Sound and at the entry to Finlayson Channel where
it provided superb shelter and a clear view of conditions on Milbanke Sound
prior to committing to crossing over to Higgins Passage. It was a one or two day paddle from his shack
on Brian Clerx’s property that he referred to as “Denny Island Camp”. By leaving Shearwater near the turn to ebb he
could get to the Ivory Island / Blair Inlet complex at the turn to flood. This would give him a push north to Dallas
for the final 7 NM. If conditions or
tides didn’t cooperate there were bivy camps scattered along Seaforth Channel
and a couple of camps in Blair Inlet where he could hole up.
In 2007 Dave, Greg and I stayed at the Dallas Island Camp. Bill had spent eight days here in June 2003
on his way out to his more remote camps and had spent two more nights in
October on his way back to Denny Island Camp.
He was headed back to Shearwater to do some painting and resupply for
what would turn out to be his last trip.
He had just two months to live.
