Sea Kayak Trip Schedule for 2001

Sea Kayak Trip Schedule for 2002

Quick Index:

Notice: The trip schedule and calendar is constantly changing as new trips / clinics are added or an occasional trip is cancelled. Any additions and changes will be posted to the sea kayak e-mail listserv (UKC-SEA). This calendar will also be periodically updated, but may not always reflect the most recent changes.

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10 Mercer Slough (SK-I) - Bill Comegys	11	12	13	14	15	16
17 Quartermaster Harbor (SK-II) - Mike Wagenbach	18 Sea Kayak Trip Leader Kick-Off Meeting, 6-7 pm	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31

Trip Description: Launch from Redmond City Hall and paddle down to Lake Washington. See BlueHerons, King Fishers, Muskrats, and Beavers. Or shop for an expensive house - this trip has it all. This is a 10-12 mile trip with a 1 to 3 mph current assist.

Trip Requirements: You must be a river/sea member, have attended a rescue session With proper persuasion, one may be offered before the trip (we will do the session in the pool just before the trip). I'll offer a paddling instruction to anyone interested.

What to Bring: Food and Water: There are no planned stops for food and water. Bring enough food and water for your lunch and any snacking that you wish to do while we are paddling. Paddling clothes that you can 1) layer for warming and cooling as weather conditions may be variable and 2) don't mind getting muddy. Sturdy footwear is also a must. Though the water will only be a few feet deep you should be prepared for immersion. Sunglasses and Sunscreen: Let's be optimistic shall we?

Trip Description: A very good first trip. The Mercer Slough is located in Mercer Slough Park. Is a very slow stream off Lake Washington it is very scenic, there are turtles, ducks, geese and someone said there were otters there. I did not see them. The Slough is very much like the arboretum just a little bit longer. Just a nice Sunday paddle. Launch point the boat ramp off of Bellevue Way SE or Eniat Park depending on the weather.

Email me Bill Comegys , NOT THE LIST with your experience and whether or not you have a car with racks and how many boats your racks can carry. Those participants who have a car with racks and can drive will have priority. You must be a river/sea member, have attended a rescue session, I will do rescue session at the pool before the trip. I'll offer a paddling instruction to anyone interested. Bill

Trip Description: Quartermaster Harbor, between Vashon and Maury Islands, is a large, shallow, protected bay which attracts large numbers of seabirds as a winter refuge. Recent reports indicate that scoters and other ducks are still abundant, and grebes, loons and alcids may also be sighted, as well as seals or other mammals.

We will meet at the WAC at 8:30 AM this Sunday, with the goal of catching the 10:15 ferry to Vashon. Depending on the interests of the group, we may paddle a loop in the harbor or set up a car shuttle for a point-to-point paddle. The emphasis will be on a leisurely pace with plenty of time to enjoy viewing wildlife. Bring binoculars if you have them and can risk getting them wet!

Note that as on any trip away from the WAC area, you MUST have completed a "rescue session" with the club, in which you practice getting back in your boat after a swim and assisting in rescuing others. If you have not yet done this, I *may* be able to arrange time in the afternoon or evening Thursday or Friday to do this. Let me know ASAP if you need this. Otherwise, email me with a summary of your experience if I haven't paddled with you recently, and whether you have a car that can carry boats.

Description: Current sea kayak trip leaders will hold their annual meeting to kick off the season, exchange trip ideas, and plan the initial trip and clinic schedule. All are welcome to attend. Contact Gary Lai for more information.

Description of Classroom Portion: This class will teach you the fundamentals of how to intelligently and safely plan your own sea kayak trips, from day trips to long expeditions. In Part 1, we'll focus on the basics: reading nautical charts, predicting tides, predicting currents and using them to your favor, recognizing water hazards, and interpreting the club's "sea-rating" scale. In Part 2, we'll delve deeper, discussing marine weather, marine navigation from a kayak (from basic compass skills to GPS), and kayak safety.

Description of On-water Portion: Participants of the classroom portion will plan a trip to Hammersley Inlet in the South Puget Sound. In the on-water portion, we'll go on the trip they plan. Pretty Hammersley Inlet is the narrowest of all the Puget Sound inlets, swept daily by powerful currents often exceeding 4 knots. Stately mansions line the shores, and in other places, the Inlet is flanked by cliffs and has a distinct feel of wilderness. Wildlife is abundant. We'll put in near Shelton and ride the ebb current out to Hope Island, a state park with quiet forests, hiking trails, meadows, and a resident deer herd. After lunch we'll ride the flood current back for a total paddling distance of 14 miles in very little time with minimal effort. Trip participants will learn by seeing how their predictions and plans match reality. Additional instruction will also be given on the trip, including coverage of basic knots, towing techniques, and use of a VHF radio.

Requirements for Classroom Portion: Participants of the class should have at least some paddling experience, equivalent to going on a few SK-II level trips. Contact Shelly Carpenter or Gary Lai as soon as possible to reserve a spot in the class. You may attend one of the classes and not the other if you like, but for the full experience, we recommend you attend both classes and the trip. Participants should bring a hiking compass or marine compass to Part 2.

Requirements for On-Water Portion: IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO GO TO THE CLASSES TO GO ON THE TRIP. However, priority will be given to people that attend the class. Trip participants should have paddled several trips at the SK-II level before, and feel comfortable paddling and maneuvering their kayak for at least 8 miles. Rescue practice in the last 12 months is required, as it is with all club trips off the lake. You must reserve a spot on the trip with Shelly or Gary if you want to go.

Description: Self rescue and buddy rescue are required skills for trips rated at SK-II and above. In other words, if you want to go on any club sea kayak trip off the lake, you must attend one of these sessions. The Self Rescue and Buddy Rescue sessions involve practice on the lake or the pool (YOU WILL GET WET!). Bring a bathing suit and some shoes that can get wet plus a warm change of clothes. Also, bring a towel. If you don't like getting water up your nose, bring a nose plug. The session time will vary, but generally it will last 1.5 hours. If you plan to attend, please contact the person running the session to reserve a space as soon as possible.

Trip Description: Weather forecast looks pretty good, so why not paddle when there will be NO need for sunscreen? Meet at the WAC at 8:30 PM tomorrow evening. Destination TBA, could be Lake Union, Madison Park or Bill Gates' house, depending on interest and experience of participants. Return to the WAC around midnight. Bring a snack. As a lake trip, the rescue class is not required, HOWEVER, if you have not completed the sea kayak rescue class within the last year, you must wear a wetsuit, so dress accordingly. Wetsuits recommended for all. It will be cool, but should be comfortable with moderate clothes and a paddling jacket. Pogies, light gloves and/or a hat might be a good idea for the cold-sensitive. While it won't really be "dark," a white light is legally required for each boat, so bring a flashlight. You won't use it. No reply is required. If you have a question, REPLY TO wagen@u AND NOT THE ENTIRE LIST!! Mike Wagenbach

Trip Description: This trip was originally planned for May 4-5th but had to be postponed due to the weather. Due to the change we have some more space on the trip.

Cypress is a popular destination for kayakers due in part to its rugged undeveloped scenery, a variety of campsite choices, and its proximity the mainland (read no-ferry-required :-)). In addition to the beautiful scenery the island has a wide variety of wildlife including tiny island deer, eagles, and falcons. Lets get out and enjoy this special spot before it is overrun by the summer crowds.

2. Have paddled on at least two SK II trips, and can keep a boat going in a straight line.

4. Have done a Seakayak re-entry practice, a "Rescue Session". There will be several sessions before the trip - see the calendar for more details. These trips are usually limited by the number of cars with racks, so those people will have priority.

Trip Description: Port Susan is situated between the mainland and Camano Island, a short drive from Seattle. It's a place to observe the dramatic effect of tides with a minimum of current. The northern portion of Port Susan dries to extensive mud flats at low tide, filled with birds and basking seals (hopefully).

We'll launch from Kayak Point County Park and paddle north to Port Susan and paddle North along the mudflats. The mudflats will be extra large since there will be a large tidal change for the trip 1.1 to 11.6 feet. On the way back we will paddle through a channel where the mouth of the Hat Slough comes out. There is a good lunch spot on an island in the channel if I can find it again. A bit further down there is a spot I have seen a lot of seals every time I have been out there. This will be a mellow paddle in water shallow enough to stand in-a perfect environment for beginning paddlers.

Meet at the WAC after the pool session (11:15 AM) to load kayaks. We'll be back at the WAC before 7 PM.

Email me Bill Comegys , NOT THE LIST with your: Experience. Do you need a rescue session? Whether or not you have a car with racks and how many boats your racks can carry. Those participants who have a car with racks and can drive will have priority.

Trip Requirements: You must be a river/sea member, have attended a rescue session. I'll offer a paddling instruction to anyone interested.

Food and Water: There are no planned stops for food and water. Bring enough food and water for your lunch and any snacking that you wish to do while we are paddling.

Paddling clothes that you can 1) layer for warming and cooling as weather conditions may be variable and 2) don't mind getting muddy. Sturdy footwear is also a must. Though the water will only be a few feet deep you should be prepared for immersion.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY AND WARMER... LOWS IN THE 40S HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER 60S.

Instructor: Gary Lai ( garylai@aol.com ) is an aerospace engineer, and is the current Sea Kayak Program Coordinator of the UKC.

Why can the same person paddle some sea kayaks faster than others? What makes some sea kayaks feel less stable than others? Why would you care if a kayak is hard-chined or multi-chined? Why would you care if a kayak is Swede-form or Fish-form? Why do some kayaks track better than others? Why are so many paddles spoon shaped? How are plastic, fiberglass, and kevlar sea kayaks manufactured?

If you've ever wanted to know the answers to these and other sea kayak design questions, then come to this 90 minute seminar on the Fundamentals of Sea Kayak Design. We'll discuss the art and science of sea kayak design with just a little bit of math thrown in.

Sea kayak design can be a controversial and passionate topic. This seminar will focus on only the basic fundamentals that most designers can agree on.

If you're interested, please e-mail me ( GaryLai@aol.com ) and let me know you plan to attend (but don't expect a reply). I just want a general tally, because I won't run the class if there isn't enough interest.

Trip Description: This trip announcement replaces the Chuckanut trip I had originally planned for June 2nd. Instead I'd like to take a group out of Bowman Bay that day. Bowman is located in the southwest corner of Fidalgo Island (just north of the deception pass, which we will not be going through). This is intended as a beginner trip to help some new or recent members get sea-legs on a short day trip not on the lake. Since there is a mild ebb current on June 2nd this is a good time to paddle this area. We will put in at Bowman and head north 2 1/2 miles along the west side of Fidalgo Island to lunch just north of Biz point. After lunch, we will return south back to Bowman Bay riding the ebb current.

Logistics: We will meet at the WAC early Sunday morning at 8:00am. We'll drive up through to Fidalgo Island and take the road towards Oak Harbor south and turn off to Bowman Bay campground just before the deception pass bridge. Well put in at the park campground boat ramp area. Lunch should be around 12:30-1:00pm and we'll expect to be back at the WAC around 5:00pm, traffic willing.

Since this is a beginner trip, there is a concern about the possibility of strong westerlies along the exposed/fetch along the west side of the island.
Therefore, any mention of a small craft advisory, or storm conditions with winds predicted greater than 10-15 knots will cancel the trip.

To participate, you must;
1. Be a "River/Sea" member of the club.
2. Have paddled on at least on one SK trip with the club.
3. Are comfortable paddling in possible 1-2ft wind waves.
4. Have done a seakayak re-entry practice rescue session.

Please indicate if you have a car with racks and are willing to drive. Those persons will have priority. This trip will be limited to 6 persons unless another leader joins the trip.

Trip Description: Lummi Island, just north of Bellingham along the Rosario Straight, has all the beauty and ruggedness of the San Juans without the annoying hassles of crowds and ferry waits. The northern end is sparsely populated, but the southern end, dominated by 1600' Lummi Peak, retains its unspoiled wilderness.

We will paddle around Lummi in a clockwise direction in two days, camping at a beautiful spot in the southeast corner of the island. The drive to the put-in at Gooseberry Point from the WAC is roughly 2 hours.

To go on this trip, you must be a River/Sea member of this club, or you must have your own gear. This trip is not for beginners, as parts of the route are quite exposed. You must have paddled at least several trips at the SK-II level or higher, be comfortable handling your boat in 15 knot winds and small wind waves, and be comfortable paddling 12 miles (4-5 hours). If you are interested, e-mail me (NOT THE LIST!), tell me your experience (if I don't know you), and whether or not you have a car with racks and can drive. Space on this trip will be limited, so contact me early.

Trip Description: The Broken Islands are located in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the West coast of Vancouver Island. It consists of approximately 100 islands and numerous protected inner waterways. The outer islands face the open ocean and are dramatically adorned with wind swept trees and steep cliffs. The area is noted for incredible fishing...last time we went Andre was quite successful fishing right from his boat! There is plenty to explore here from historic sites of the Nuu-chah-nulth native peoples, to the wildlife including porpoises, sea-lions and grey whales.

NOTE: This trip will be a bit more pricey than normal as we will taking two ferries to get to the island group. The car ferry should be around ~$26USD person/round trip and the passenger ferry will be around ~$40USD person/round trip.

To go on this trip, you must be a River/Sea member of this club, or you must have your own gear. This trip is not for beginners, as parts of the route may be quite exposed. You must have paddled at least several trips at the SK-II level or higher, be comfortable handling your boat in 15 knot winds and small wind waves, and be comfortable paddling 7-10 miles (4-5 hours). If you are interested, e-mail me (NOT THE LIST!), tell me your experience (if I don't know you), and whether or not you have a car with racks and can drive. Space on this trip will be limited, so contact me early.

Trip Description: Paddle from Bellingham Bay to Chuckanut where we'll explore sandstone formations, then head on down to Wildcat Cove in Larrabee State Park.

Trip Requirements: You must have attended a rescue session in the previous year to go on this trip. There is enough exposure to make it a SKII+ trip so you must have been on a previous SKII or above trip.

Interested?: email me, babsona@ocean.washington.edu, NOT THE LIST, with your experience if we haven't paddled together before and whether you have a car with racks (if you do not, say so specifically or else I will have to ask you) and if so how many boats you can carry. Those with cars will have priority if we are limited by cars. I'll send out more info to those of you who sign up on Friday. amanda

Trip Description: Want to paddle in a strong current without the ignominy of fresh river water? The ebb at Deception Pass will be right at 7 knots, which will generate solid eddylines, litte whirlpools and maybe some standing waves.

While the water is quite active by most sea kayakers' standards, Deception Pass is a compact area where we can safely challenge our boating technique with help and calmer water near at hand. Reliable rolling skills are not required, but wetsuits will be! If you can edge your boat competently, you won't swim.

Previous SK-3 (or class II river) experience is desireable, but if you have some SK-2 experience, good agility in rescue re-entries and a strong desire to get wet, feel free to email me and try to convince me that this is for you. You MUST have done sea kayak rescue practice with the club!

The current will be dropping steadily while we are in the area, so you can wait for the vigor to reduce if you're initially overpowered. After we tire of paddling uphill, we may visit nearby Deception Island for a brief lunch break.

Peak ebb is just after 10 AM, so we need to get an early start. We will meet at the WAC at 7 AM Sunday :-P Return to the WAC should be by 3 PM. Email wagen@u.washington.edu. Include a home phone number if you will not be monitoring email regularly after 6 PM Friday.

Trip Description: Golden Gardens park on Shilshole Bay is a very enjoyable place to spend a Seattle summer evening, especially when you don't have to paddle back after enjoying a barbecue on the beach. We will enjoy a leisurely paddle to Golden Gardens via the Ship Canal and the Ballard Locks. Upon arriving at Golden Gardens we will enjoy a little informal barbecue. A car shuttle (arranged by Robin) will allow us to drive back to the WAC with our boats. We will reserve a picnic table and bring the grill, so all we need now are paddlers!

We'll meet at the WAC at 4:30, and try to be in the water by 5:00. From there, it should take us roughly 3 hours to reach Golden Gardens. Non-paddling friends, significant others, and family are more than welcome to join us for the BBQ, just remind them its BYO. We will leave Golden Gardens before 11:00 (when they normally close the gates) and should be all wrapped up at the WAC by midnight at the lastest.

There will be a small fee per person for reserving the picnic site. The fee will depend on the number of participants, but should not exceed $2-$3.

Everyone should also bring their own food/beverages and barbecue parephenalia. We will have a barbecue and coals, so by all means bring grillables. Sharing of food is of course welcomed and encouraged, so don't worry about bringing too many ebibles. People might also want to consider bringing chairs or blankets as we might not have enough table seating, especially if a number of additional people end up meeting us at the beach.

Note that this trip may be cancelled due to inclement weather. A paddle to the Golden Gardens and a BBQ is no fun if it's stormy.

Trip Requirements: This is a beginner trip, but because we do go off the lake and paddle through the Montlake Cut, you need to be proficient in sea kayak rescue. Amanda Babson is leading a rescue session on the evening of the 17th for those who have not previously practiced rescues with the club. See the UKC website for the rescue session announcement: ( announce/announce.html#m566 ) You should also have mastered the basic strokes and be comfortable paddling your boat in a straight line for about 7 miles.

If interested, contact me as soon as possible as this trip always fills up fast. Tell me if you have a car with racks (or even just a car) and can meet at the Golden Gardens at 4:00 pm to do the car shuttle. Robin will be organizing the car shuttle, but people with cars should go ahead and write me first. Thanks.

Trip Description: If you are interested in a quick overnight trip this weekend please send me a note describing your kayaking experience. The trip is rated SK-III due to possible rough water (ferry wakes in Thatcher pass, tide rip between James and Decatur and long fetch in Rosario strait). This said, James Island is a beautiful place with a Marine Trails camp site, and the distances for the trip are short: 4 miles the first day and 7 on day 2. We will be leaving the WAC saturday morning and returning Sunday late afternoon. Let me know if you are interested.

Black River
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2002
Rating: SK-II
Paddling Speed: Slow
Paddling Distance: 12 miles
Coordinator: Amanda Babson ( babsona@ocean.washington.edu )
Trip Description: Yes this is a Sea Kayak trip to a river, but a class I river. Called "a southern river placed in the Pacific Northwest," lush
vegetation lines this river dyed dark by decaying plants. The river will be warm and calm, but will hopefully give us enough assistance that the 12
miles won't be too long of a day for a beginner.

Trip Requirements: This is a great beginner trip. No need to have been on previous club trips, though some previous practice on the lake is
advisable. Since it is away from the lake, a rescue session in the past year is required. There may not be many opportunities for stops so
you should be comfortable sitting in your boat for several hours. There may be an extra cost split between people in each vehicle for the Access
Stewardship parking Pass.

Interested? Please email me ( babsona@ocean.washington.edu ) with your experience (just curious) if we haven't paddled together before and
whether you have a car with racks. If you do not have a car with racks, please say so specifically. If you do not have racks, but have Toyota
Corolla, Camry or a Honda, please let me know. Unfortunately, drivers will have priority as beginner trips are often limited by number of cars.
I will get back to those who sign up in a couple days with more trip details.

Trip Description: In a major variation on the normal Anacortes to Friday Harbor paddling trip, on this trip, we will take two days to paddle to Friday Harbor from Anacortes via a more protected northern route. This route will pass James Island, thread through Thatcher Pass, skirt the north shore of Lopez and Shaw Islands, and weave through the Wasp Islands before ending in the town of Friday Harbor. This is the basically the route followed by the Anacortes to Friday Harbor ferry, taken at a much more human pace to enjoy the beautiful scenery and encounters with wildlife. We will plan to camp Saturday night on Blind Island on the north shore of Shaw - a tiny islet with expansive views which can be circumnavigated in 30 seconds. On Sunday, we will spend some ample time exploring the Wasp Islands and the Nature Conservancy managed Yellow Island, before wheeling our kayaks onto the ferry in Friday Harbor for a free ride back to Anacortes. This is vintage San Juan Islands.

Trip Requirements: This trip involves a crossing of the Rosario Straight. Although the predicted currents are feeble, there is always the potential for tricky water on this crossing. You must have paddled at least several SK-III trips with the club in the past and be comfortable handling your boat in moderately rough water and side winds. Note also the long paddling distance on Day 1. You must have previously paddled a trip of this distance in the past, and you must be able to maintain a paddling pace of at least 3 knots for extended periods. As with all club trips rated SK-II or higher, you must be a River/Sea member of the club to use club gear, and you must be proficient in sea kayak rescue skills.

If interested, e-mail me, and describe your paddling experience (if I don't know you) and whether or not you have a car with racks and can drive. Due to the aforementioned small size of the campsite, this trip will be limited to six persons maximum. There are currently only two remaining spaces left on this trip. I will not confirm anyone on the trip for a minimum of 48 hours, and after this waiting period, I will assign priority based on (1) past attendance at UKC work parties, and (2) previous attendance on club trips in the last two years (those who have been on fewer club trips will have higher priority than those who have been on many). All things being equal, I will pick randomly.

Coordinator: Bill Comegys ( bcomegys@u.washington.edu )
Trip Description: The Snohomish river estuary, located between Everett and Marysville, has oodles of wildlife and scenery. We will launch by SR529 and paddle along North Spencer Island then we will paddle around Otter Island which is undeveloped since it is a wetland and looks like the estuary did of years ago. Then we will paddle up Steamboat slew to the secret passage through Spencer Island. Lots of wildlife; I have even seen a deer here. Then we break for dinner at Spencer Island. After lunch we paddle Union Slew on the west side of Spencer Island to the Busey Cut which joins Union and Steamboat Slew. This is a fresh water marsh. In the Snohomish River Estuary Recreation Guide it says "Bald Eagles, Blue Herons, Wood Ducks, Deer Muskrats and Beaver" are seen here. This will take us back to Steamboat slew, a portion we have not seen since we bypassed it paddling around Otter Island. We will then paddle back to our launch point.

Meet at the WAC at 1 PM sharp to load. We'll be back at the WAC late.

Interested? Email bcomegys@u.washington.edu with your experience, whether or not you have a car with racks and how many boats your racks can carry. Those participants who have a car with racks and can drive will have priority. We will only take as many people as we can carry boats for.

Trip Requirements: You must be a river/sea member and have attended a rescue session to go on this trip. Otherwise, it's a beginner trip, and I'll offer a paddling instruction to anyone interested you must be able to maintain a steady speed of 2 knots.

Trip Description: Kayak Point is situated between the mainland and Camano Island, a short drive from Seattle. It's a place to observe the dramatic effect of tides with a minimum of current. The northern portion of Port Susan dries to extensive mud flats at low tide, filled with birds and basking seals (hopefully).

Email , NOT THE LIST with your experience, whether or not you have a car with racks and how many boats your racks can carry. Those participants who have a car with racks and can drive will have priority. We will only take as many people as we can carry boats for.

Trip Requirements: You must be a river/sea member and have attended a rescue session to go on this trip. Otherwise, it's a beginner trip, and I'll offer a paddling instruction to anyone interested you must be able to maintain a steady speed of 2 knots.

Trip Description: The Hotham Sound area, in the northern reach of the Sunshine Coast, is a place of surrealistic beauty. Towering green mountains capped with glaciers plunge into waters scattered with islands and teeming with wildlife.

The tentative plan is to leave very early Saturday morning and paddle to camp that evening. We will launch from Egmont and establish a base camp either on the Harmony Islands or on Musket Island. This will put us in a good position to explore Jervis Inlet or Nelson Island on Sunday. We will return on Monday.

Hotham Sound occasionally gets some notoriously powerful winds, due to the thermal funneling in the fjords. This trip is not appropriate for beginners, but if in doubt, e-mail me and let me know your experience if I don't know you. Trip size will be limited, respond ASAP if you are interested. Please indicate if you can drive (# boats, over height?).

Trip Description: Matia, Sucia, Patos, and Clark are among the most beautiful and isolated islands in the San Juans. Separated from the north coast of Orcas Island by miles of open water, these islands feature intricate weather-sculpted rock formations, abundant wildlife, and beautiful beaches.

The traditional approach to these islands is to launch from North Beach on Orcas Island. We will take advantage of weak currents this weekend to avoid the ferry lines altogether by launching from Gooseberry Point near Bellingham, and transiting from Point Migley on Lummi Island to Matia Island, an exposed, 4-mile crossing. We will establish a base camp on Sucia Island, and do a day paddle to Patos Island. On the return trip, we will make a slight detour to explore Clark Island

Trip Requirements: This trip is for experienced paddlers. Even at the low current velocities predicted this weekend, the waters in this area are potentially treachorous, and have caused numerous paddlers a lot of trouble. You must have paddled at least several SK-III trips (or equivalent, in the past), have prior experience with a crossing of at least 3 nautical miles, and be adept at sea kayak rescue techniques. Sucia is a popular place for kayakers and boaters. As such, the size of the group I can take it very limited. This is primarily a pre-booked private trip using private gear. At this point, there are only two spaces left available.

If interested, e-mail me, and describe your paddling experience (if I don't know you) and whether or not you have a car with racks and can drive. I will not confirm anyone on the trip for a minimum of 48 hours, and after this waiting period, I will assign priority based on (1) past attendance at UKC work parties, and (2) previous attendance on club trips in the last two years (those who have been on fewer club trips will have higher priority than those who have been on many). All things being equal, I will pick randomly.

Description: The Anacortes to Friday Harbor paddle, described by Mike Wagenbach as, "the mother of all day trips," is a challenging journey riding powerful currents along some of the most beautiful and remote coastlines in the San Juan Islands. In an age of virtual adventure, side-impact airbags, and vicarious experience on soft couches, participants will close their eyes in a pampered old age, recall this trip - the briny air, the soaring gulls, the gyrating whirlpools, the sheer cliffs, the dull throb of fatigue - and into their minds will spring the words of existentialist Jean Paul Satre: "Everything has been figured out except how to live."

Early Sunday morning, we will put-in at Washington Park in Anacortes and paddle across the fickle Rosario Straight, allowing a 2.6 knot ebb current to pull us to the south end of Lopez Island. We will then paddle across the south end of Lopez, a largely uninhabited shoreline of tortured cliffs and enigmatic sea stacks with wide open views of the Straight of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains. Then, the tide will turn and the flood will shoot us like popping champagne corks through Cattle Pass, on a long stream of foam and froth. Finally, we will paddle into genteel Friday Harbor, wheel our boats onto the ferry, and get a free ride back to Anacortes.

Trip Requirements: This trip is for paddlers with advanced sea kayaking skills. You must have paddled an SK-IV trip with the club before (or equivalent, outside of the club). You must be comfortable paddling about 15-20 miles (without current assistance) in the past, and be comfortable spending at least five hours in your boat. You must also be a fairly fast paddler, comfortable maintaining a 3 knot pace for several hours. This trip involves paddling through several strong tide rips, with sharp eddylines and whirlpools. You must be comfortable in these conditions. Whitewater experience is helpful and bracing skills are essential. The ability to roll a sea kayak is helpful, but not required. Fetch during certain portions of the trip is considerable (20 - 100 miles), so swell is a possibility, as are strong winds with wind waves large enough to regularly wash over your deck. The trip may be cancelled due to windy weather.

If you're up to it and interested, please contact me, and if I don't know you, describe in detail your previous kayak experience. Also let me know whether or not you have a car with racks and can drive. The number of participants will be limited, so act fast.

Trip Description: Last chance for a trip to a nice birdy mashy area before hunting season starts. We've got a nice afternoon high tide so don't need to start too early and will have plenty of water to explore the marsh channels.

Trip requirements: This is a great beginner trip. No need to have been on previous club trips, though some previous practice on the lake is advisable. Since it is away from the lake, a rescue session in the past year is required. If you need one let me know and I'll try to lead one next week.

Interested? Please email me with your experience (just curious) if we haven't paddled together before and whether you have a car with racks. If you do not have a car with racks, please say so specifically. If you do not have racks, but have a Toyota Corolla, Camry or a Honda, please let me know. Unfortunately, drivers will have priority as beginner trips are often limited by number of cars. I will get back to those who sign up in a couple days with more trip details.

Trip Description: A sea kayak trip on a river in Seattle's backyard. This portion of the Snoqualmie is slow and calm (Class I), very much suitable for beginners. The route will take us through the agricultural country between Falls City and Carnation, both along SR 203 east of Seattle. A mellow paddle that won't leave people feeling wiped out for the first day of classes (or a Monday at work).

Trip Requirements: This trip is suitable for beginners, though previous lake paddling experience is advisable. You must be a river/trip member and have participated in a club rescue session. This trip will leave Sunday morning and return to the WAC mid to late afternoon. If interested, contact me at philross@u.washington.edu. Please note if you have a car with racks. Please also state your paddling experience if I haven't paddled with you before. If tranportation is a limiting factor, people with cars will have priority.

Trip Description: A continuation of the September 29 trip we did between Falls City and Carnation. This stretch of the Snoqualmie is also slow and calm (Class I). The route meanders through the pastoral country between Carnation and Duvall, two small towns east of Seattle. Passing the Stillwater Wildlife Recreation Area early in the trip, the river then takes numerous turns as it makes its way to Duvall. This will be a mellow paddle timed to take advantage of the fall colors.

Trip Requirements: This trip is suitable for beginners, though previous lake paddling experience is advisable. You must be a river/trip member and have practiced rescues. This trip will leave Sunday morning and return to the WAC in the late afternoon. If interested, contact me at philross@u.washington.edu. Please note if you have a car with racks. Please also state your paddling experience if I haven't paddled with you before. If tranportation is a limiting factor, people with cars will have priority.

Trip Description: The distances are short enough so this could be a day trip, but we're going to split it up to have the opportunity to camp. This is in the San Juans, but no ferry rides necessary. We'll leave from near Padilla Bay, and explore there as much as hunting season allows. Saddlebag almost is two islands with an isthmus between them where we'll be camping. Nearby Dot Island is a wildlife refuge where we hope to see some eagles.

Trip Requirements: This is a beginner trip so no previous experience is necessary, but it's preferable if you've spent at least a few hours on the lake before and can go in a straight line. You must be a river/sea member, memberships from 2001-02 school year are still good. You must have attended a rescue session in the previous year to go on this trip.

Interested?: email me, babsona@ocean.washington.edu, NOT THE LIST, with your experience if we haven't paddled together before and whether you have a car with racks (if you do not, say so specifically or else I will have to ask you) and if so how many boats you can carry. Those with cars will have first priority if we are limited by cars and then those who replied to my earlier feeler email. I'll let you know if there's room for you by early next week.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

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Sammamish River (SK-II) - Bill Comegys

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
					1	2 Husky Football Home Game-No WAC access
3	4	5	6	7	8	9 Husky Football Home Game-No WAC access
10 Rescue Session, 8:30 am - John Ross	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
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