So here we are,
5 days from a challenge of a lifetime. Exams done and my brain seeing a shift from paper to planet, all I can think about is how in the hell I'm going to do this! But like all things, its a day by day process. One day at a time, one paddle stroke at a time, one breath at a time.
A start off point has been determined. I will be launching out of Nanaimo on the 25th. With a name so fitting like Departure Bay I feel like I'd be starting on the wrong foot not choosing such a great spot. If I'm lucky enough to make it all the way around I will be referring to it as Arrival bay from then on.
In terms of following along my journey there's one major thing to consider. I will be departing on the 25th of April but updates wont reach my website or Instagram until 14 days after. Now I know that that is a very strange approach but there is some logic in it! When I round the northern tip of the Island I will lose cell reception. I won't be able to get reception back until roughly Tofino! so updates along that track are not possible. I considered doing the first 8 days as I went and then having a 14 day delay in the middle before dropping a blast of videos when I hit reception, but I think that might add a lot of work for that first day in reception, as well as a strange break in content. So instead everyone's just going to have to wait. I will be delaying all the videos to post 14 days later so the first will be coming on May 9 and you should be getting a daily blast from then till June 8th. As long as all goes to plan!
So how can you follow for the most up to date info?
What I do plan on making for the first 10 days or so is Instagram reels. My account is @slackoff.outdoors if you're not already following. I will connect my Facebook account as well if you have me there. Those will look like little snips of my day. and ill do my best to keep everyone up to date there. You will also be able to follow my live progress here at https://share.garmin.com/Slackoffoutdoors. Ill be using my Garmin inreach to help keep everyone up to date. This may look like a start and stop as well as all the little pins I drop for places I cant wait to go back to. really it depends on how much this will drain my inreach battery as I go. Emergency signaling has to be its number 1 job so I may get a little stingy on my tracking if the battery is getting lower.
In terms of contacting me while I am on trip we can start here on the website. If you want to talk to me while on trip please just shoot me a message in the next few days and I can give you my phone number. with that I will be able to get text messages no matter where I am. I'm paying for the unlimited text inreach plan so make my money worth it and shoot me some kind words for my low points! I'll be up at 4:30 ish am every morning so waking up to some motivating words sounds pretty freaking awesome. I would prefer not to blast my phone number on my blog here but I am happy to share it with those who want to talk while I'm out. I will start only checking messages in the mornings and evenings so sorry if its a little delayed with me getting back to you! There is the disclaimer that if I give you my number, you are not allowed to share it with any Nigerian prince's, no matter how handsome they sound.
If you have any questions I'm sure I'll find some time to answer them as we go and im happy to have you all on my journey as I figure out everything as we go!
Till next time happy travels,
Arron