>>>>>Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 23:59:30 -0500 From: "Lisa Williams" <lisa_at_cadence90.com> Subject: [Paddlewise] Recommendations: Tour companies, Pacific NW Paddlewisers, This summer I'd like to take a kayaking tour, and I have my heart set on the Pacific Northwest. Any tour company recommendations? <snip> San Juans? Columbia River? And while I'm there, good restaurants, hotels, other things not mentioned in guidebooks for my terrestrial exploration?<<<<< I live in Washington (near Seattle), but {blush} have never done a 3-5 day trip here, nor have I ever paddled more than a single day with a tour company. That having been said, I HAVE paddled trips like this up in British Columbia. Is going to BC an option? IMHO, the paddling is much nicer up there in general, and it would meet your requirement of no more than a one-day drive. I recommend the area from Tofino north (you can read about it in any of the tour guides) or Nootka island or the Broken Island Group (if you don't mind company). If you decide to go the the San Juans, which are much closer, you may want to pick up a guide book to get a feeling for the kind of paddling opportunities there. There are tours sponsored through the Northwest Outdoor Center (www.nwoc.com) and others, but NWOC is the only one I'm familiar with (even though I haven't been on their tours, I believe they're a well-run company). Evan Dallas Woodinville, Washington *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
"Lisa Williams" <lisa_at_cadence90.com> wrote: >>This summer I'd like to take a kayaking tour, and I have my heart set on the Pacific Northwest. Any tour company recommendations?>> I only know of a couple doing tours on the Columbia, and can recommend both highly. Both are very safe and knowledgeable. One operates out of Portland; the other, out of Skamokawa, WA, a picturesque little town on the north shore of the Columbia. Both have tours for the novice, but will demand you get some training before launching on a multiday tour if you are not already familiar with basics such as wet exit, self-rescue, etc. Usually, this is handled as part of a package deal, I believe. The best tour for scenery on the Columbia is a one-way trip, allowing sampling of a greater stretch, going with the Columbia. The Portland outfitter does one or more versions of that, IIRC. They have a very highly-regarded training program in Portland. They are a cross-over shop, with a strong WW program, reflected in the composition of their Web site, right now, but email them for a brochure detailing sea kayaking trips (aldercreek_at_qwest.net). The best tour for natural history and/or wildlife would be one centered on the lower river, where there is better habitat for wildlife. The Skamokawa outfitter does heaps of that, and has a full-time naturalist on staff, and has B and B accommodations at the launch point. They also have skills classes, but do not do nearly the volume of training as the Portland group. I have no affiliation with either business, but have know both for over five years. Both are responsible paddlesport shops. Whichever you choose, you will get your money's worth. Portland: http://www.aldercreek.com/ Skamokawa (Ska-MAWK-a-way): http://www.skamokawakayak.com/ -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 1/25/2003 9:06:22 PM Central Standard Time, grsnapp_at_charter.net writes: > I think > you can start paddling from Anacortes and not have to take a ferry. Other > options: launch from Bellingham - also 2 hours from Seattle. > Should you do a self guided trip, be competent with tides and current planning, at least an intermediate paddler confidant and comfortable in the wind and/or current and have immersion apparrel on. The crossing from Anacortes to Lopez Island is 5.5 miles across a tide rip studded shipping lane. It's a 1.5 to 2 mile crossing to Guemes or Cypress Islands north of Anacortes. Deep Trouble had many San Juan case profiles because it is a popular place to paddle, but mostly it can quickly exceed the capabilities of typical paddlers and become quite deadly. There are many fascinating places with a great deal of wildlife in the major San Juan Group and one can easily spend a week there should you so desire. It's a really fun place to paddle with a variety of challenges in a beautiful setting. Cheers, Rob G *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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