The Wonders of Nahmint: Big Red and The Wall

It was late October in Vancouver Island’s Nahmint Valley, when cool mornings have a way of jolting your senses. No sooner were we parked, than the silence was broken by the barking of excited dogs, all looking forward to an exciting day! This was to be my second foray into the ancient forests here, where mysteries seem to reveal themselves with startling regularity. On this occasion, Greg had invited Evan and Sasha to join us, along with their dog Sage, delightful companions all. They both have a keen interest in conservation and old growth forests, and well represent the concerns of the current generation when it comes to environmental issues. Evan works as an arborist, and has a particular passion for climbing trees, while Sasha is an experienced and dedicated yoga instructor.

The Wonders of Nahmint: Fallen Giants and Future Hopes

The mysteries of the Nahmint River Valley, with its legendary trees and abundant wildlife, had long ago captured my imagination. Nestled in the heart of Vancouver Island, near Port Alberni, the river supports one of the most diverse gene pools of salmon on the planet, as well as a thriving steelhead run.

Nahmint River

Going the Distance with the Chuvalo Fir

It was the strangest of apparitions on a cool, rainy morning in the Nahmint River Valley. A gnarled, towering, broken topped Douglas fir, rising abruptly into the mist, beckoning us to make its acquaintance. We had to investigate! Though the tree was a relatively short distance away, precarious ground made for a painstakingly slow approach, and the nearer we got, the more peculiar it became!

An Audience With The Alberni Giant

This year, I’ve been generously introduced to the wonders of the Nahmint River Valley, an irrepressible wilderness to which I have grown increasingly attached with each successive visit.