Re: [Paddlewise] Seeing Red?

On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 6:27 PM, Chuck Holst <cholst_at_bitstream.net> wrote:

> In the Twin Cities, most winters it is possible to paddle all season-long
> on
> the Mississippi River in the current below the Ford Dam.
>

The Columbia River has not frozen from shore-to-shore in decades here in
central Washington but Moses Lake almost always freezes over completely by
mid-November. I live on an arm (which locals call a "horn") of the lake that
is almost completely enclosed by a railroad fill (with a small opening) to
the north and the I-90 fill (with a small opening) to the south so we freeze
faster than the rest of this lake.

I always take the Nimbus Telkwa when there is a danger of ice because of its
very high initial stability. It's also tough enough so that I've used it as
an impromptu ice breaker; but I think I've outgrown that little trick. A
capsize when surrounded by ice makes most rescues problematic depending upon
the thickness of the ice cover.  A roll can be difficult and even swimming
to shore could be impossible through ice cover.

If I simply *must* paddle I generally head to Puget Sound where the winter
temperatures (both air and water) are often only 5 degrees different in
winter than they are on may summer days. Of course, to get there I have to
drive across a mountain pass and my timing for that drive has often been
poor. It's a 3 hour drive at the best of times and if there is an avalanche
a person could be stuck for hours.

There is a "traveler's rest" bathroom facility at the summit of Snoqualmie
Pass (3000 feet on I-90) and I'm always shocked at the numbers of people who
are dressed in shorts and tee-shirts with sandals or flip-flops for a drive
across the Cascade Mountains in winter. We always carry blankets, warm
clothing and emergency shelters in our cars winter and summer. Just a
leftover from the years past I guess. There is still a good chance of being
trapped, sliding off the road, or getting involved in an accident so it's
wise to be prepared for it.

Two years ago at 2am a pickup truck pulled up next to us at Traveler's Rest
and the guy got out and padded to the bathroom in his slippers and jammies.
He thoughtfully left the truck running to keep it warm for his daughter who
was asleep in the cab. While he was inside his daughter woke up and also
went in to the bathroom in her jammies. She was careful to lock the truck
up. When dad got back he couldn't get in because, surprise, his keys were in
the ignition. They ended up breaking a side window to get in and then had to
drive a couple of hundred miles with a nice breeze in the cab. I bet they
got dressed on that last leg.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it pays to think about the drive
to/from the put-in as well as your trip on the water. Don't just assume that
the only problem you might face will be in a kayak.

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net

.
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