I guess I'm on a roll today... ;) I watched a great program on the teli last night... all about the Columbia Bar off the Washington-Oregon coast. Fascinating place. Lots of information on the unique and dangerous seas, the natural causes, the commercial and recreational traffic, the Coast Guard training, and the pilots who navigate the bar for commercial vessels. I've actually been on the Columbia several times and have visited the coast on occasion, as recently as this past summer. Regretfully, I've not paddled in the northwest, but I hope to before too long. No, not at the bar... but, I am curious if any of you have had boating experiences near the river mouth. Or is that just an ignorant question, it possibly being an insane idea in the first place? Thanks, as always! Tom *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I must be on a roll, as well. =:-0) We paddle near the Columbia bar quite often. It is a gnarly place with the energy from wind, swell, current and tide all coming together in one place. The place to 'taste' this energy is at Fort Canby state park on the Washington side. You can paddle out of the harbor, right by the Coast Guard station and out around the two jetties that seperate the river from the ocean. Great care MUST be taken in planning for the right conditions. Sometimes we never make it past the first jetty. On a calm day you can paddle out past the second jetty and come in on the beach. READ 'calm'. Tide/ river current wants to be slack or slightly flooding. We are planning some more paddle missions down in the Astoria/ Ilwaco area this winter. Nigth paddling is great down there, too. Lots of nav aids and such to keep you busy. steve Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe N 45: 36.285' 250 NE Tomahawk Isle Dr. W 122: 39.841' Portland, OR 97217 Web: www.aldercreek.com Phone: 503.285.0464 Email: aldercreek_at_qwest.net *************************************************************************** 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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