10/15 - 10/29 - 2017 Snake/Columbia River C-Dory Cruise

I will launch Two Bears on Sunday and leave her in the State Park marina. We live just 50 miles away so I'll visit it Monday afternoon / evening and on Tuesday we will finish provisioning and be aboard Tuesday night ready to go Wed morning. I'll leave a note on the boat with phone numbers to reach me If I'm not around.

I haven't made any plans on shuttle yet. I'm a procrastinator and that often works for me. Some how a joint effort might work best for most of us.

I'm working on the folks from our local boat repair shop to join us for at least part of the trip. I stopped by today and their yard is still full of boats needing TLC, which is good to see as with fires, smoke, the economy and other things the recreational boating business has been quite flat here the past two years. However, all that business does get in the way of going boating, so I don't know if they will make it.

Chuck
 
Weather, at least temps. I may use up my heater diesel fuel on the drive out. Looks like I could be seeing near to below freezing night time temps and maybe up to 50's day time. (Ok, that's mostly in the higher elevations. Otherwise I'm looking at upper 30's low 40's at night and upper 50's low 60's day.) :mrgreen:

However, river city temps are a little better. For late next week, current forecast

Lewiston 47 / 31
Pasco 62 / 40
Portland 61 / 46
Astoria 58 /46
 
TyBoo":2zqva313 said:
Fred on Anita Marie has a Cruising Atlas for the Columbia, Willamette and Snake rivers he has offered to loan for your use. I have it here at my house and will see that Colby takes it along if you would like to use it.

I have no idea about the weather on the rest of the river but down here at the mouth of the Columbia it was beautiful today.

We got back from the San Juan Islands and the Stuart Island gathering yesterday and I am getting the boat set up for the crabbing season. If the tides cooperate I just may have some fresh dungeness to give to some weary river rovers when they reach the sea.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure I have one, too. If there's a way to get it to one of the group, I'd be glad to loan it. Send a PM.

BTW, I'm sitting in the trailer at the Port of Arlington, 68 degrees, sunny with light winds. Not like 3 weeks ago. Left Montana this morning, no snow but close. Had 3" on the trailer on the eastbound part of the trip.,
 
Kath and I will start driving from Sacramento on Saturday, October 14th. We plan to spend a night in Nevada and a night in Oregon on the way out.

We will arrive in Lewiston Monday night, October 16th. We will be staying at hotels on the way out, including Monday night in Lewiston.

Tuesday, October 17th we will fuel the vessel, and provision for the trip. We will launch our boat Tuesday afternoon at Hells Gate State Park.

We will be ready to depart the dock Wednesday, October 18th at 0800 to begin the Expedition Cruise.
 
Ok, probably a little late in asking this, but are there any special requirements for out of state boats with all the crazy invasive species inspections policies and laws?
 
ust pull into the inspection stations and play along. You may get the bottom washed with hot water ,etc. Hopefully get a seal and paper work and be on your way. Simple.
 
Thanks Lew. Sort of what I expected. I did much of the route out west two years ago, and after some hassles then, decided next time I'd ask for a seal at the first stop! Also, I just got some information back from one of the Hell's Gate folks.

"> The slip rental would be $9.00 per day and we have several slips
> available. We currently do not take reservations just come in to our
> office and anyone behind the desk can help you rent a slip.
>
> You will need to purchase a Motorized Invasive Species Sticker for
> $22.00, which you can do in our office as well.

So guess there are some other expenses involved with this.... Colby
 
I drove up the Columbia from Portland to Wallulu Saturday. I know weather can change but what i way was a pretty typical fall day.

Beacon Rock, below the dam, Winds 5 - 10, no white caps, waves 1 foot.
Cascade Locks region, West winds 20 - 25, 35% whitecaps, 2-3 feet waves. Few kite surfers.
Hood River, West winds 20 - 25, 45% whitecaps, 2-4 feet waves. Lots of Kites, and some wind board surfers.
The Dallas, West winds 10-15, 10% whitecaps, 1-2 footwaves. Few kites and 1 board, (wind surfer).
Biggs, West winds 10-15, 10% whitecaps, 1-2 footwaves. Few kites and several boards, (wind surfer).
Arlington, West winds 10, 0% whitecaps, 1 foot waves. No kites and no boards.

Saw tons of RV's. Seemed like all the parks were full. Weather was windy, gusty and there were some rain showers.

I didn't see anything that would not be doable in a C-Dory, but HR to Cascade wound be a slow trot at best. Wind blowing up the gorges (West to east,) and water running down hill. Not much chance for an east wind, but there is always hope.

Stay safe in your travels.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

1_10_2012_from_Canon_961.highlight.jpg
 
Keeping my fingers crossed and placing prayers. :wink: But I've still got my doubts about getting the Snake done in two days... I'll hang with the crowd, but I think anything other than calm, and folks are going to be tired after 4-5 hours of constant chop. Hopefully there will be some lengths of the river that are somewhat protected and calm when other parts are choppy. That would make it a lot more bearable anyway. In any case, I'm still parking my truck and trailer at the end, so plan to cross that finish line before coming back home! :mrgreen: Colby
 
Colby, I have not driven the Snake as much, but I know it is more protected, and not the long fetches you will see on the Columbia. Prayers for safety from here too.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Thanks Harvey, that's good to know! It's all new water to me! All loaded up, heading out of my driveway just before noon today! If no bad weather to contend with on the drive out, I'll get to Hell's Gate on Saturday. BTW, anyone interested in following where we are on the River, or at least where I am, I'll have my AIS transponding, so you can follow us at this website:

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-12.0/centery:25.0/zoom:9

Just put my boat's name in the search box at that site.

Colby
 
Worst fears realized: wife needs by-pass surgery which will probably happen in late Oct during the trip. Consequently Two Bears is dropping out. Surgery date not set yet, so I may be around as the group departs so I will wave from the shore.

Chuck
 
Chuck, First, prayers for a good result for Penny and that all goes well. Sorry to hear you are going to be missing this trip. I know you where really hoping to get it finished.

Colby, travel safe, and for all those traveling, as well.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Chuck we have been excited about seeing you again but now we are saddened with your news. Kitty and I will be praying for Penny (and you). John & Kitty.
 
Chuck and Penny.

So sorry you now cannot go. We were looking forward to meeting you both.

Best of success on the surgery.

We will be thinking about you both on our trip. Maybe we will get this expedition cruise figured out and you will be able to go next year with better information from our test cruise.

We wish you a speedy recovery.
 
Ok, all ready and waiting to go. The rest of you get on up here! lol. I also have one extra chart book that Tyboo gave me to pass along. During the drive down to Astoria yesterday, the River looked pretty calm, except for maybe the last 20 miles or so. Whitecaps, but not sure I saw more than 2 foot on the waves. Colby

IMG_8582.jpg
Waiting at the Hells Gate SP Marina dock.
 
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