John Topham
@johnjtopham.bsky.social
Kayak Guide on Salt Spring Island, BC
Former science teacher
BSc, BEd
Married
I love cycling, kayaking, hiking and my awesome wife.
Just trying to live a healthy, happy life.
Former science teacher
BSc, BEd
Married
I love cycling, kayaking, hiking and my awesome wife.
Just trying to live a healthy, happy life.
Pinned
John Topham
@johnjtopham.bsky.social
· Dec 22
If you post an outdoor photo, please give the location.
Reposted by John Topham
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
-FDR, 1937
-FDR, 1937
November 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
-FDR, 1937
-FDR, 1937
This is loony!
New reports paint picture of an ‘extremely dangerous’ future with warming expected to blow past key limit
www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/c...
World oil and gas demand could grow until 2050, IEA says after U.S. pressure
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
New reports paint picture of an ‘extremely dangerous’ future with warming expected to blow past key limit
www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/c...
World oil and gas demand could grow until 2050, IEA says after U.S. pressure
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
World oil and gas demand could grow until 2050, IEA says | CBC Climate Change News
Global oil and gas demand could grow until 2050, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday, departing from previous expectations of a speedy transition to cleaner fuels following U.S. criticis...
www.cbc.ca
November 13, 2025 at 3:10 AM
This is loony!
New reports paint picture of an ‘extremely dangerous’ future with warming expected to blow past key limit
www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/c...
World oil and gas demand could grow until 2050, IEA says after U.S. pressure
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
New reports paint picture of an ‘extremely dangerous’ future with warming expected to blow past key limit
www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/c...
World oil and gas demand could grow until 2050, IEA says after U.S. pressure
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
Reposted by John Topham
I was talking to a coworker and he said
"What gets me is why ride in the car lane when you have a perfectly good bike lane!"
I looked him dead in the face and said
"Because it's usually shit in the bike lane and we're trying not to die."
He got quiet after that.
"What gets me is why ride in the car lane when you have a perfectly good bike lane!"
I looked him dead in the face and said
"Because it's usually shit in the bike lane and we're trying not to die."
He got quiet after that.
November 9, 2025 at 2:40 AM
I was talking to a coworker and he said
"What gets me is why ride in the car lane when you have a perfectly good bike lane!"
I looked him dead in the face and said
"Because it's usually shit in the bike lane and we're trying not to die."
He got quiet after that.
"What gets me is why ride in the car lane when you have a perfectly good bike lane!"
I looked him dead in the face and said
"Because it's usually shit in the bike lane and we're trying not to die."
He got quiet after that.
This is the ultimate insult to the working poor! According to CNN Musk could earn up to "$275 million a day".
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Elon Musk's $1tn pay deal approved by Tesla shareholders
The richest man in the world will get hundreds of millions of new shares if he hits his targets.
www.bbc.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:22 AM
This is the ultimate insult to the working poor! According to CNN Musk could earn up to "$275 million a day".
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
This is so ridiculous. In most of Canada and many US states, women have the same right as men to be topless in public. When will our culture grow up and start treating women as people instead of objects to be judged?
www.cbc.ca/news/enterta...
www.cbc.ca/news/enterta...
Sydney Sweeney wore a sheer dress. Why do people care so much? | CBC News
Sydney Sweeney wore a sheer and very revealing dress to an industry event on Wednesday evening, prompting passionate and mixed reactions.
www.cbc.ca
November 1, 2025 at 7:32 PM
This is so ridiculous. In most of Canada and many US states, women have the same right as men to be topless in public. When will our culture grow up and start treating women as people instead of objects to be judged?
www.cbc.ca/news/enterta...
www.cbc.ca/news/enterta...
Okay, sure some people need counselling for this, but a better way to solve the problem is to actually start doing something about climate change.
A recent report suggests that our current path will take us to 2.6 C above pre-industrial temperatures.
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
A recent report suggests that our current path will take us to 2.6 C above pre-industrial temperatures.
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
Almost one million Canadians have serious climate anxiety, study suggests | CBC
Feeling anxious about the impacts of climate change is normal, scientists say. But how common is anxiety so bad that it makes it hard to function? A new study puts a big number on it.
www.cbc.ca
October 22, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Okay, sure some people need counselling for this, but a better way to solve the problem is to actually start doing something about climate change.
A recent report suggests that our current path will take us to 2.6 C above pre-industrial temperatures.
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
A recent report suggests that our current path will take us to 2.6 C above pre-industrial temperatures.
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
After 264 commercial kayaking days over 8 seasons, I'm now retired from guiding. It's on to other adventures like hiking, cycling and personal kayak trips.
October 15, 2025 at 4:20 PM
After 264 commercial kayaking days over 8 seasons, I'm now retired from guiding. It's on to other adventures like hiking, cycling and personal kayak trips.
If this poll is accurate (not some kind of outlier), then the level of education and intelligence in this country makes me think we could all be doomed. This pipeline makes no sense, either environmentally or economically.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Majority of Canadians — including B.C. residents — support Alberta’s pipeline push, poll finds | CBC News
A new poll from the Angus Reid Institute suggests a majority of Canadians — including British Columbians — support the idea of a northern Alberta-B.C. pipeline, but fewer agree the project should be f...
www.cbc.ca
October 11, 2025 at 7:22 PM
If this poll is accurate (not some kind of outlier), then the level of education and intelligence in this country makes me think we could all be doomed. This pipeline makes no sense, either environmentally or economically.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
With my last guiding season winding down, I had the pleasure of doing 3 trips to Eleanor Point and Russell Island. It's such a joy to take people to these places.
On Monday, the light was especially good for taking photos.
I finish with 2 tours near Ganges and that's a wrap.
#kayaking
On Monday, the light was especially good for taking photos.
I finish with 2 tours near Ganges and that's a wrap.
#kayaking
October 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
With my last guiding season winding down, I had the pleasure of doing 3 trips to Eleanor Point and Russell Island. It's such a joy to take people to these places.
On Monday, the light was especially good for taking photos.
I finish with 2 tours near Ganges and that's a wrap.
#kayaking
On Monday, the light was especially good for taking photos.
I finish with 2 tours near Ganges and that's a wrap.
#kayaking
Reposted by John Topham
‘There was always beauty’: B.C. man spends more than a month circumnavigating Vancouver Island on stand-up paddle board
‘There was always beauty’: B.C. man spends more than a month circumnavigating Vancouver Island on stand-up paddle board
A B.C. man took his stand-up paddle board on a 1,300 kilometre journey around Vancouver Island, finding gratitude, beauty and adventure along the way.
bit.ly
September 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
‘There was always beauty’: B.C. man spends more than a month circumnavigating Vancouver Island on stand-up paddle board
On a recent tour to Sansum Narrows one my clients decided to film a whirlpool and got pulled into it. Near the end of the video, you can see how fast the boat is spinning.
Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island
#kayaking
Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island
#kayaking
September 9, 2025 at 3:30 PM
On a recent tour to Sansum Narrows one my clients decided to film a whirlpool and got pulled into it. Near the end of the video, you can see how fast the boat is spinning.
Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island
#kayaking
Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island
#kayaking
As my final kayak guiding season draws to a close, it's great to get in some amazing tours.
Yesterday, we paddled to Sansum Narrows, played in the currents, did some kayak sailing, paddled into a cave and saw a really cool rowboat with a sail. All this in a single tour!
#kayaking
Yesterday, we paddled to Sansum Narrows, played in the currents, did some kayak sailing, paddled into a cave and saw a really cool rowboat with a sail. All this in a single tour!
#kayaking
September 6, 2025 at 6:45 PM
As my final kayak guiding season draws to a close, it's great to get in some amazing tours.
Yesterday, we paddled to Sansum Narrows, played in the currents, did some kayak sailing, paddled into a cave and saw a really cool rowboat with a sail. All this in a single tour!
#kayaking
Yesterday, we paddled to Sansum Narrows, played in the currents, did some kayak sailing, paddled into a cave and saw a really cool rowboat with a sail. All this in a single tour!
#kayaking
Three day bike tour along the Pacific Marine Route on Vancouver Island.
Day 3b: 150km whole day
Leaving the cool coastal air of Port Renfrew to a hot inland valley
Harris Creek, Meschie Lake, following a bear down the Cowichan Valley Trail, approaching Vesuvius on the ferry
#cycletouring
Day 3b: 150km whole day
Leaving the cool coastal air of Port Renfrew to a hot inland valley
Harris Creek, Meschie Lake, following a bear down the Cowichan Valley Trail, approaching Vesuvius on the ferry
#cycletouring
September 4, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Three day bike tour along the Pacific Marine Route on Vancouver Island.
Day 3b: 150km whole day
Leaving the cool coastal air of Port Renfrew to a hot inland valley
Harris Creek, Meschie Lake, following a bear down the Cowichan Valley Trail, approaching Vesuvius on the ferry
#cycletouring
Day 3b: 150km whole day
Leaving the cool coastal air of Port Renfrew to a hot inland valley
Harris Creek, Meschie Lake, following a bear down the Cowichan Valley Trail, approaching Vesuvius on the ferry
#cycletouring
Three day bike tour, along the Pacific Marine Route on Vancouver Island.
Day 3a: 150km whole day
The first section was magical. I almost had the highway to myself from China Beach to Port Renfrew
Misty highway, one lane bridge, break near Port Renfrew, bridge near Port Renfrew
#cycletouring
Day 3a: 150km whole day
The first section was magical. I almost had the highway to myself from China Beach to Port Renfrew
Misty highway, one lane bridge, break near Port Renfrew, bridge near Port Renfrew
#cycletouring
September 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Three day bike tour, along the Pacific Marine Route on Vancouver Island.
Day 3a: 150km whole day
The first section was magical. I almost had the highway to myself from China Beach to Port Renfrew
Misty highway, one lane bridge, break near Port Renfrew, bridge near Port Renfrew
#cycletouring
Day 3a: 150km whole day
The first section was magical. I almost had the highway to myself from China Beach to Port Renfrew
Misty highway, one lane bridge, break near Port Renfrew, bridge near Port Renfrew
#cycletouring
Three day bike tour, starting from Ganges on Salt Spring Island then out along the Pacific Marine Route on Southern Vancouver Island.
Highlights from Day 2, short hop between campsites: 16 km
Two photos from Jordan River then China Beach
#cycletouring
Highlights from Day 2, short hop between campsites: 16 km
Two photos from Jordan River then China Beach
#cycletouring
September 4, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Three day bike tour, starting from Ganges on Salt Spring Island then out along the Pacific Marine Route on Southern Vancouver Island.
Highlights from Day 2, short hop between campsites: 16 km
Two photos from Jordan River then China Beach
#cycletouring
Highlights from Day 2, short hop between campsites: 16 km
Two photos from Jordan River then China Beach
#cycletouring
I had a lovely 3 day bike tour, starting from Ganges on Salt Spring Island then out along the Pacific Marine Route on Southern Vancouver Island.
Highlights from Day 1, 112km
Blenkinsop Lake, Matheson Lake, Sheringham Lighthouse, French Beach.
#cycletouring
Highlights from Day 1, 112km
Blenkinsop Lake, Matheson Lake, Sheringham Lighthouse, French Beach.
#cycletouring
September 4, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I had a lovely 3 day bike tour, starting from Ganges on Salt Spring Island then out along the Pacific Marine Route on Southern Vancouver Island.
Highlights from Day 1, 112km
Blenkinsop Lake, Matheson Lake, Sheringham Lighthouse, French Beach.
#cycletouring
Highlights from Day 1, 112km
Blenkinsop Lake, Matheson Lake, Sheringham Lighthouse, French Beach.
#cycletouring
It's been a busy couple of weeks with 8 kayak tours in 10 days. Now, with nothing on the calendar until next weekend, it's time to head off on the bike for 3 days. Stopping at French Beach and China Beach campgrounds.
#kayaking #cycletouring
#kayaking #cycletouring
September 1, 2025 at 2:22 AM
It's been a busy couple of weeks with 8 kayak tours in 10 days. Now, with nothing on the calendar until next weekend, it's time to head off on the bike for 3 days. Stopping at French Beach and China Beach campgrounds.
#kayaking #cycletouring
#kayaking #cycletouring
I keep seeing this story on CBC. The answer is Yes by a wide margin. Also they will keep improving as material from recycled batteries get incorporated into new vehicles.
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
Are EVs really greener than gas-powered cars? | CBC News
In this issue of our environmental newsletter, we compare the environmental impacts of EVs and gas-powered cars; see how Seville, Spain is beating the heat; and look at the Canadian cities considering...
www.cbc.ca
August 16, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I keep seeing this story on CBC. The answer is Yes by a wide margin. Also they will keep improving as material from recycled batteries get incorporated into new vehicles.
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
"The top three individual actions that help the climate, including avoiding plane flights (long haul), choosing not to get a dog and using renewable electricity, were also the three that participants underestimated the most."
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
People often miscalculate the impact of climate choices — like owning a dog — study says | CBC News
According to a recent study, it turns out many people aren't great at identifying which personal decisions contribute most to climate change — and the some of the ones that do, such as owning a pet do...
www.cbc.ca
August 15, 2025 at 3:01 AM
"The top three individual actions that help the climate, including avoiding plane flights (long haul), choosing not to get a dog and using renewable electricity, were also the three that participants underestimated the most."
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
Well, this will free up some space in the panniers. New stove (top), old stove (bottom, two parts). Unfortunately, the fuel cylinders are the same size.
August 13, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Well, this will free up some space in the panniers. New stove (top), old stove (bottom, two parts). Unfortunately, the fuel cylinders are the same size.
Bike Trip – day 2
Hike - Mount Mark via the Horne Lake Hustle (9ish km with 840m of vertical)
Hike - Mount Mark via the Horne Lake Hustle (9ish km with 840m of vertical)
August 8, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Bike Trip – day 2
Hike - Mount Mark via the Horne Lake Hustle (9ish km with 840m of vertical)
Hike - Mount Mark via the Horne Lake Hustle (9ish km with 840m of vertical)
Bike Trip -days 1 & 3 (288km over 2 days)
Highlights – back routes through Ladysmith, Nanaimo and Parksville-Qualicum, lunch stops at Rathtrevor Park, camping at Horne Lake Regional Park was incredible.
Negatives - 2 highway sections, 1 spot north of Ladysmith with the other at Nanoose.
Highlights – back routes through Ladysmith, Nanaimo and Parksville-Qualicum, lunch stops at Rathtrevor Park, camping at Horne Lake Regional Park was incredible.
Negatives - 2 highway sections, 1 spot north of Ladysmith with the other at Nanoose.
August 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Bike Trip -days 1 & 3 (288km over 2 days)
Highlights – back routes through Ladysmith, Nanaimo and Parksville-Qualicum, lunch stops at Rathtrevor Park, camping at Horne Lake Regional Park was incredible.
Negatives - 2 highway sections, 1 spot north of Ladysmith with the other at Nanoose.
Highlights – back routes through Ladysmith, Nanaimo and Parksville-Qualicum, lunch stops at Rathtrevor Park, camping at Horne Lake Regional Park was incredible.
Negatives - 2 highway sections, 1 spot north of Ladysmith with the other at Nanoose.