Training: Yakima River Paddle

Not having paddled together, it was in our best interest to go on an outing together. Dawson Dan and Klondike Kate took to the Yakima river like pros. We had some issues with log jams and fast water and found that we had to work together in a few spots to get our boats around them.

The section of the Yakima river we chose to paddle isn't normally a challenge. We paddled between Cle-Elum and Thorp, just outside of Ellensburg. However, Washington state had a hefty snow pack this year (30% more than normal in the central cascades) which probably resulted in more log jams and a bit faster water than would be normal for this time of year.

At one point in the journey, GrizzLee was scouting for a safe passage and ended up going down a narrow log strewn passage backwards in his kayak. He found an eddy and was able to get out safely a couple of hundred yards downstream... just in time to see the hind quarters of a startled black bear scurry away in haste.

At another junction, Dawson Dan and Klondike Kate got hung up in a precarious position against a log jam and were in danger of capsizing. We all worked together to line the boats around the danger and proceeded safely to the next set of log jams.

Dawson Dan Demonstrating his ability to grasp logs in times of great peril.

All in all we had a great time and no one died. We happened upon an old homestead. It was a great spot to take a break and get some pictures.