We’ve been hanging out in the Broughton Islands, between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland, spending time with Kati and Richard Findlay, old cruising buddies who returned from the South Pacific last year. There is a cut off upper level low just to our west (on the 500mb weather chart) and it is pumping in lots of moisture. The photo above is typical of the weather we’ve been "enjoying" the past four days. There’s a bucket in the dinghy that filled with a foot (300mm) of water in 36 hours.

We’re surrounded with what we think is beautiful country. But we can’t see very far to make sure. So, we’ve been holed up, doing some reading, a few chores, chatting, and occasionally moving our anchorage just for the fun of playing with the Wind Horse.

The one big advantage of all this rain is in the waterfalls. They are spectacular.

Everywhere we look there are major cascades.

And even though it is wet outside, we find ourselves standing on the flying bridge, under the awning, with camera and binoculars in hand.

Some of the falls are set back a bit from the edge of the shore.

How about this tree, right in the middle of all that water pressure, issuing forth from what appears to be a solid granite monolith!

This is our favorite for the Broughton Islands. The shape and texture continually change as new waves of water work their way down the rock face.

Many of these falls are deep right up to their edge. We could wash our anchor here and still have a hundred feet (30m) under the bow.

The sun occasionally teases us. When it does, the clouds play games with the surrounding terrain.

There are often aerodynamic shapes created as the density of air changes ever so slightly.

We are also seeing rainbows.

And now that the barometer is rising and patches of clear sky are appearing, someone has pushed the sunset button.

If you are going to cruise the higher latitudes, rain and cold are a fact of life. The better prepared you are, the more you can enjoy the conditions, and the longer you can extend your season. The right clothing and protective gear, heating, a dry interior, and shelter for the watch are all factors to be addressed. Get these right and your cruising horizons will expand.

The Pacific High is making signs it wants to grow. If it does, maybe we’ll have to trade spectacular waterfalls and sunsets for some UV radiation and vitamin D. We’d welcome the change.