Chasing Clayoquot: A Wilderness Almanac

This book is a 12-month exploration of the area around Clayoquot Sound, on Vancouver Island's west coast. Through ventures to various spots in the area, the author tells us of history, geography, wildlife, and more. He talks about the isolated life of the Lennard Island lighthouse keeper, how the coastline was shaped by glaciers, why Pacific waves are so big, how various fur traders and explorers came and went through the years, life in the town of Tofino, and how ongoing logging has created vast swaths of naked hillsides. This book has something for everybody. Part natural history, part human history, part modern day life on the coast, this is a fascinating read and a beautiful description of a lovely and scenic place. I especially recommend reading this if you plan on visiting the area.

This book is an initiation into one of the most beautiful and mysterious places on the planet. For every month of the year the author takes a journey into the forest and ocean wildernesses of Clayoquot Sound, exploring the main events of the yearly natural cycle---storms in January, herring spawning in March, salmon spawning in October, etc.---as well as the relationships between people and nature in Clayoquot Sound, both past and present. The natural history dominates, though, and the human history, though long and resulting in some deep and lasting environmental impacts, seems fleeting and insignificant when viewed against the backdrop of glacier-formed mountains and ancient forests.I was impressed by how seamlessly the author combined scientific information with personal observations and the narrative of his travels. I felt the relentlessness of the winter rains, the hallowed beauty of wild creeks flowing through old growth, the salty sea air, and even the mosquito bites. The writing is graceful, rich, entertaining---every bit as varied and interesting as the place it describes. I can see this book standing up to multiple readings, with new nuances being discovered each time. ?Chasing Clayoquot? ought to be required reading for anyone planning a trip to Clayoquot Sound, and it makes for good armchair adventuring too. Don?t forget to pack your rain gear!