Sadly today we had to leave and as the new group arrived we headed back to Bella Bella in the boat that dropped them off to catch our flight to Vancouver. We didn't see a spirit bear but had a great time and have a good reason to return. Back in Vancouver we all made our way in different directions -some extended their holiday, some caught the Air Canada flight while Malcolm & Debbie, Andrew and Sylvia and us wended our way to the BA lounge and back to Lon...

Today was our last chance to find a spirit bear - several optional trips operated covering different ground - as some wanted to just see bears they went back to Mussel. As we have seen bears several times we opted for the 'White bear mission' as that was why we had come to Canada this time. Our trip went to Cahoona ( Kwoona) and walked along a river bank to a confluence of two rivers - we saw small and large prints and white hairs enroute so were very hopeful. W...

The weather brightened and the sea and wind conditions were such that we could finally go to Steep Creek (where the other group had gone on day 1) to see if we could find the young spirit bear seen on the camera trap there. It was a lovely day and the trip there enjoying the scenery, watching cruising humpbacks and scoter ducks raised the spirits and we were all hopeful. However when in situ - in a slightly precarious spot on top of little more than a muddy ledg...

Today we were split into smaller groups - the six in our group were with another in the morning for a return to Mussel for more grizzly bear viewing, then in the afternoon we separated and went to Big Bay. It was a cold and very wet day so the break for lunch, between activities, in the warm cabin at Mussel, where the community stay when looking after the bears, was really welcome! We had a good mornings viewing - the bears were out in force and waiting for us ...

Today our group headed to Carter Bay, as a return to the spirit bear area the others went to yesterday was precluded by strong winds and would have to wait until later in the week. As we arrived and got into our rather flimsy zodiacs we saw a mother grizzly and two cubs playing on the edge of the river. We had to move very slowly and watch from a distance as they were not as used to humans as the bears in Mussel. When the bears finally made their way into the b...