Re: [Paddlewise] Seeing Red?

    I still anguish over the fate of James Kim, who attempted to drive with 
his family
    from I-5 to the southern Oregon coast in the middle of winter over a 
seldom used
    and substandard Bear Camp road through the mountains. Had they taken a 
more
    traveled route, and had they carried sufficient supplies with them, 
James Kim
    would not have paid the ultimate price. I carry a down sleeping bag and 
snow
    shovel in my vehicle the year round, even on kayak trips. Even that may 
not
    guarantee survival.

    Brad

    Craig Jungers narrated:

> 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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