Hey Everyone,
It has been a very eventful few days for myself and my team. We have been
facing massive head winds on the water due to our travels through the gorge. If
you aren't familiar with this area, it is world renowned for crazy amounts of
wind and is a mecca for green energy windmills (which basically dot the horizon
everywhere) and wind surfing. I am also happy to announce that we have seemingly
exited the desert and are in the shadow of a Volcano named Mount Hood, and are
once again in some more temerate climate, less dry and more trees!
Two days ago, we hit some crazy wind right before a takeout above a dam. After
driving around the dam we were only a 9 kilometres from our camp, so most people
wanted to just take the rest of the day and relax. 12 of us formed two boats of
mixed crew from the die-hards in the brigade and decided to paddle that last 9k.
The catch? 6 foot waves in the middle of the river with a potentially very
dangerous crossing to the right side to get to camp. We put in and began the
crossing, where I got drenched from head to toe and gained an enormous respect
for the wind and the water, and the effect those two have when they meet. I saw
a kite-surfer hit a wave, and catch the wind sending him at least 20 feet
straight vertical. The wind is a force to be reckoned with. During the crossing
I felt dangerously close to tipping a few times as we angled our way across the
waves and rolled over the big swells. It was an interesting experience because
even the experienced paddlers I was with have never quite paddled in that much
current (being just below a dam) and in that much headwind at the same
time...two great opposite forces meeting in one small section of water. Despite
the potential for danger, we all agreed that we couldn't let that opportunity
slip away, and I wasn't about to not be a part of it. It was a great feeling of
sastisfaction when we reached camp and amongst the handshakes and
congratulations I could not help but feel a great respect for the water and a
massive sense of accomplishment. And boy was that not one of the best workouts
I've ever had.
The next day I built my paddling resume up a bit more.
I sterned (steered) a boat in similar winds (but not as heavy) through 3 foot
waves across the river. Going across is always fun because of the potential for
tipping and getting soaked due to slamming down off the rolling waves. We also
hit some massive current around an island and nearly hit a rock, but with a
strong crew, an excellent bowman (guy in front that sets pace and helps steer)
and a paddle giving me great leverage for steering we were able to narrowly
avoid danger once again...but what a rush.
Last night, in The Dalles, we had dinner at a local pub that served only microbrew and craft beers. After a
few pints including a black cherry stout and a blueberry wheat ale, the drinking
songs began, we got the pub going and it wasn't long before we had made some
friends, were getting free rounds, and people had cameras making videos of us
singing enthusiastically at the tops of our respective lungs. One of the most
fun nights I've had in a while! We got back to camp and decided to sleep on the
top of a small rock outcropping about 2 stories up. The stars were out and
filling the sky and I soon drifted off into a very restful sleep, but morning
came much too early.
Today was more of the same...really nice country,
super awesome paddle. We decided that the waves were fun and that playin a
little further out in the rollers would be a good idea, and boy was it ever. We
were never close to tipping but singing songs with your friends, including
"Bohemian Rhapsody" at the top of your lungs, and plunging in and out of waves
makes for an epic afternoon.
Until my paddle brings me home,
Andy
It has been a very eventful few days for myself and my team. We have been
facing massive head winds on the water due to our travels through the gorge. If
you aren't familiar with this area, it is world renowned for crazy amounts of
wind and is a mecca for green energy windmills (which basically dot the horizon
everywhere) and wind surfing. I am also happy to announce that we have seemingly
exited the desert and are in the shadow of a Volcano named Mount Hood, and are
once again in some more temerate climate, less dry and more trees!
Two days ago, we hit some crazy wind right before a takeout above a dam. After
driving around the dam we were only a 9 kilometres from our camp, so most people
wanted to just take the rest of the day and relax. 12 of us formed two boats of
mixed crew from the die-hards in the brigade and decided to paddle that last 9k.
The catch? 6 foot waves in the middle of the river with a potentially very
dangerous crossing to the right side to get to camp. We put in and began the
crossing, where I got drenched from head to toe and gained an enormous respect
for the wind and the water, and the effect those two have when they meet. I saw
a kite-surfer hit a wave, and catch the wind sending him at least 20 feet
straight vertical. The wind is a force to be reckoned with. During the crossing
I felt dangerously close to tipping a few times as we angled our way across the
waves and rolled over the big swells. It was an interesting experience because
even the experienced paddlers I was with have never quite paddled in that much
current (being just below a dam) and in that much headwind at the same
time...two great opposite forces meeting in one small section of water. Despite
the potential for danger, we all agreed that we couldn't let that opportunity
slip away, and I wasn't about to not be a part of it. It was a great feeling of
sastisfaction when we reached camp and amongst the handshakes and
congratulations I could not help but feel a great respect for the water and a
massive sense of accomplishment. And boy was that not one of the best workouts
I've ever had.
The next day I built my paddling resume up a bit more.
I sterned (steered) a boat in similar winds (but not as heavy) through 3 foot
waves across the river. Going across is always fun because of the potential for
tipping and getting soaked due to slamming down off the rolling waves. We also
hit some massive current around an island and nearly hit a rock, but with a
strong crew, an excellent bowman (guy in front that sets pace and helps steer)
and a paddle giving me great leverage for steering we were able to narrowly
avoid danger once again...but what a rush.
Last night, in The Dalles, we had dinner at a local pub that served only microbrew and craft beers. After a
few pints including a black cherry stout and a blueberry wheat ale, the drinking
songs began, we got the pub going and it wasn't long before we had made some
friends, were getting free rounds, and people had cameras making videos of us
singing enthusiastically at the tops of our respective lungs. One of the most
fun nights I've had in a while! We got back to camp and decided to sleep on the
top of a small rock outcropping about 2 stories up. The stars were out and
filling the sky and I soon drifted off into a very restful sleep, but morning
came much too early.
Today was more of the same...really nice country,
super awesome paddle. We decided that the waves were fun and that playin a
little further out in the rollers would be a good idea, and boy was it ever. We
were never close to tipping but singing songs with your friends, including
"Bohemian Rhapsody" at the top of your lungs, and plunging in and out of waves
makes for an epic afternoon.
Until my paddle brings me home,
Andy
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