Below in chronological order are news posts regarding the renovation, etc of Stowbridges Basecamp, from 2012 to the present.
Winter Duathlon Across North Arm Hills
On April 10, 2014, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL Finance Director Kevin Noseworthy set off on a 16-hour snowmobile/hike duathlon across the North Arm Hills. The purpose of the adventure was to check out the condition of a remote fishing outpost at Stowbridges in North Arm of the Bay of Islands. It will be used as a base for hiking across the North Arm Hills to and from Gros Morne National Park. The day began with a 50-mile snowmobile ride on Goose Arm Logging road to the eastern end of the North Arm Hills. After a short break, the duathlon duo headed into the hills on their way to Liverpool Ponds, site of a planned IATNL hiking camp, approximately halfway between North Arm, Bay of Islands and Trout River Pond.
Posted April 17, 2014
Restoration Begins on Stowbridges Basecamp
Early on October 22, 2014, the IATNL’s Arne Helgeland, Kevin Noseworthy and Paul Wylezol set off in boat from Cox’s Cove in Middle Arm, Bay of Islands for Stowbridges Cove in North Arm.
With them were new windows, assorted lumber and miscellaneous building supplies needed to start restoration of a 50+ year old fishing house now hiking camp at the base of the North Arm Hills, a location central to the planned Cabox Global Geopark spanning the four Bay of Islands Ophiolites from Lewis Hills to Tablelands.
Posted November 2, 2014
Work Continues on Stowbridges Basecamp
During 2019, the IATNL made significant strides in completing its Cabox Geopark basecamp at Stone Brook (aka Stowbridges) in North Arm, Bay of Islands. The two-storey former fisherman’s house will serve as a start/end point for 2-3 day treks across the North Arm Hills to/from Trout River. This year’s work included the installation of bunk beds, new vinyl flooring, indoor plumbing, and the reconstruction of the damaged seawall. Due to the 10th Anniversary IAT Scotland visit and an Outdoor Economy Forum in Ulster Ireland in late May/early June, IATNL directors Arne Helgeland and Paul Wylezol’s first trip to the basecamp didn’t occur until June 27-29, still early enough to enjoy the last of lobster season!
October 31, 2019
Stowbridges Basecamp Nearing Completion
After significant work over the past two years, the IATNL basecamp at Stowbridges in North Arm is nearing completion and will soon be available for public use. Serving as a basecamp for eco, geo and adventure “seefarers” and hikers interested in exploring the remotest region of the Bay of Islands and Cabox Geopark, the renovated two-storey biscuit box house in a small southeast facing cove once served as seasonal home for a local fisherman from Cox’s Cove. In addition to the house itself, most of the 5-6ft high seawall extending along the highwater mark of the cove had to be rebuilt after a series of winter storms destroyed much of the older structure in 2019 and 2020.
Posted December 22, 2021
