Sloughs in the Night [Level 2]

This trip is limited to OOPS members who are WEC (unless exempt under Activity Policy F.1).  Note:  This is not part of the Skamokawa Event.  The OOPS campsites are reserved starting Aug. 18th.

Narrative: So, here we are at Skamokawa waiting for the Event to start. Sign up for this pre-event paddle to get a taste of what is to come. (You will need to sign up online; this is not part of the Skamokawa event.)

We'll explore a bit of Brooks Slough and then circumnavigate Price Island (paddling up Steamboat Slough and down the main Columbia) in the dark. Participants will need to bring 2 glow-sticks -- one blue and one yellow, please -- and a means of attaching one glow-stick to kayak and other to hat / helmet. (practice attaching at home; make sure you have a good method. and totally covering the chem light with tape doesn't work.) Paddlers will also need a headlamp (ideally waterproof).

Hopefully this will be a quiet, easy-going paddle checking out night life on the sloughs.

All Level 2 and above paddlers who are wet-exit certified are welcome to signup. If Level 2 swell and sea state exist; the trip will be rated at Level 3 due to night paddling.  As always, we will evaluate actual conditions at time of trip.

Meeting Time: 7:15:00 PM
Launch Time: 8:00:00 PM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Skamokawa Vista Park beach
Take out: Same as put in
Route Alternative for bad weather: none
Required equipment: 
Minimum Immersion protection: Shorty wetsuit
Primary Organizer: Vern Brown
Assistant Organizer(s): Connie Lively
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
Maximum number of paddlers: 12
Estimated Air Temperature: 68
Estimated Water Temperature: 68
Estimated Water Time: 2 hrs
Tide times & heights: 

2017/08/17 Thu 17:13 2.50 L
2017/08/17 Thu 22:58 8.16 H
Current information: 
Hazards: Night paddling, Shipping traffic
Wind strength: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
Swell/Surf size: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types: Level 1: Frequent easy landing opportunities including gently sloping, sand, gravel or grass
Currents: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance: Level 1: Up to 6 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: No open crossing
Paddling Environment: 
Overall rating: Level 2