[Paddlewise] Trip report Sea Lion Caves, Oregon

This is a place I wanted to paddle for some time.  I was feeling out of 


sorts still from N.Y and decided on a little paddle therapy, something


special.  My ocean paddling partner was unavailable.  I went anyway.





It was sunny and T-shirt warm with under 10 mph wind from the N.W.


The swells were moderately large making for larger surf than usual but 


not spectacular.  I launched on a small recessed beach under the


Heceta Head lighthouse, a state park day use area.  Two large


rocks in front of the lighthouse shed some of the swell's energy on 


the right side of this beach, making for easy launching and landing.





The Sea Lion Caves lie about a mile south, just over the midpoint of


continual rocky headlands with miles of sand-dunes including some


of the worlds largest spreading further to the south.





Impressive waves kept me further away from the cliffs than usual along


with the fact that I was alone.  There are too many caves to count in 


the dark basalt.  Several caves went completely through.  Many were


shallow and many were too dark to tell the depth.  





The headland which contained the Sea Lion Caves were guarded by


vast numbers of perching cormorants and some gulls.  The nesting, 


migratory birds are mostly gone as were the boisterous sea


lions which haul out over any and all possible spots including in the


caves earlier in the year.  Most of the cormorants took flight leaving


me feel awkward by comparison to these creatures that are so competent


in,on, and above the water.





A large opening is near the end of this headland, but the waves were


way too big to get personal with this opening.  Paddling around the 


point revealed approximately a half dozen caves.  The first connects


with the north-sided cave in a straight shot which could be paddled


with good conditions.  The second cave was large and dark.  I think


that this also connects to the other two.





Continuing along I noticed that the wind had picked up.  Suddenly 


a 10 foot wave rose and broke just in front of me.  As I was turning,


a second came.  As I climbed it's face, I could see that it was going 


to break as I reached a near vertical state.  When it did I was thrown


backwards and carried.  Splaying out to increase drag released my


boat and I.  This was my first unplanned swim in the ocean!  I held


the boat while three or four more waves went by then climbed back


on to my trustworthy SOT.  I was warm in my heavy diving drysuit.





I paddled through a couple more, one so steep that I free-fell down


it's backside.  I paddled back against the wind and swells with a 


little more respect for the ocean.  The cormorants were still there


filling the skies around me. 





I returned to my car and my world which is so different in affect


since N.Y.  I guess I have a little more respect for this world,


as well.  





Bill











***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************