Vancover Lake Bird-watching (hopefully) [Level 1]

This trip is limited to members with a wet exit certification (except for Level 1 trips when the paddler is NOT using a spray skirt).  To successfully register you will need to sign into your OOPS member account.

When I paddled Vancouver Island Sept. 29, 2016 with four other OOPSters, we saw around 100 sandhill cranes and probably 60 brilliant-white pelicans paddling by in group. What a day it was! I hope we’ll see lots of birds on Wednesday. Even if we don’t, we’ll enjoy a six-mile trip on a sunny fall day. 

One thing we don’t want to see is Portland and Vancouver traffic! For that reason, we’ll launch at 10 a.m. and be off the water by 1:30 p.m. We also don’t want to see hunters (or more specifically, their bullets). Duck- and goose-hunting season starts in mid-October, so we should be safe from that, too!

There may be a $4 parking fee. When fee booths are not staffed, park users will need to use self-pay stations. Only cash is accepted at self-pay stations.

We will break into pods and stick together with our pod. It might be fun to practice some towing. Bring a tow belt along if you'd like. Another fun option: it's almost exactly one mile from the beach where we launch to the island. How about timing how long it takes to get from the beach to the island? No pressure, just a chance to time your own paddling. No OOPSter will be left behind! :-)

Meeting Time: 9:30:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Vancouver Lake Regional Park
Take out: Vancouver Lake Regional Park
Route Alternative for bad weather: None
Required equipment: 
Minimum Immersion protection: PolyFleece/Shell
Primary Organizer: Chris Mayou
Assistant Organizer(s): Ryc Williamson
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person: 
Maximum number of paddlers: 7, more if another TO signs up.
Estimated Air Temperature: 60-75
Estimated Water Temperature: 55
Estimated Water Time: 60
Tide times & heights: Will not affect trip
Current information: Will not affect trip
Wind strength: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
Swell/Surf size: Level 1: Under 1' waves, no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 1: Waves up to the deck seam; water glassy to rippled, no whitecaps
Landing types: Level 1: Frequent easy landing opportunities including gently sloping, sand, gravel or grass
Currents: Level 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance: Level 1: Up to 6 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: No open crossing
Overall rating: Level 1
Location: Vancouver Lake Regional Park, 6801 N.W. Lower River Road, Vancouver, WA