camping on the colombia

[Grizz]

hanging out with old sailboat I bought getting ready for the trip to wa and later to ak pictures to follow when I get back to base camp. keep your powder dry and your shackles safety wired....

[Grizz]

yeah I know, L misspelled colUmbia...

[2ndovc]

Very cool! Hoping to see some pictures!!


jb

[Pitchy]

Safe travels Grizz, look forward to the pics.

[marlinman93]

What part of the Columbia? Down stream of the dams or upper part in Washington?

[Grizz]

in Arlington. locks all closed for maint.. supposed to reopen early april. sorted the sails. overhauled the ground tackle. let the 100%er stretch in breeze. sending spinnaker to storage. there is a 180 that will pull luke the proverbial mule.

about 246 miles to the bar and around a 250 ft drop to sea level... epic scenery all the way.

[Grizz]

a photo. not only is it the smallest boat in the harbor, it is the smallest boat I have owned, not counting dories and skiffs. She has ben talking to me, "What took you so long?" and "I've been stuck in this wheat farm cattle ranch fresh water lake dreaming of true blue water long tack sailing where I can stretch out and lose the nasty spiders and topsoil lodged everywhere."

"So what took you so long? Where were you ten years ago when I really needed you? Huh?"

[JerryB]

Looks good Grizz.

[Griff]

yeah I know, L misspelled colUmbia...

I just figured you were going for some foreign travel... oh wait... you are venturin' down toward Portland!

[Grizz]

well, she has been talkin up heading to Japan to see the kids. Any blue water sailors want to chip in with wx info and route choices? Im leaning toward great circle thru Aleutians, must be that stubborness gene kicking in again....

[Griff]

I do believe that would definitely be a "summer" sail. And, you'd be traveling opposite the current and tradewinds... Lots of tacking!

[boolitshooter]

Grizz, be careful going up through the Aleutians. I know you know how the seas can change in that area.
When I sailed on Chevron tankers in the early 70's I experienced the highest waves in the open Ocean. We were half full in fuel to be delivered. The waves were breaking over the wheelhouse about for 2 days. This was in a T2 tanker made in WW2. Our Captain was even concerned. The constant pounding damaged structural beams in the forward tanks.
First and only time I was scared at sea.
By the way I still hold my Mariners Card.

[jeepnik]

Only thing T2's worry about is torpedoes. Heck, we've got a Victory down here and they take her out regularly. For ships meant only for short term use they are surprising in their longevity.

[Grizz]

boolitshooter and Griff, both right on the great circle route. as I said, stubborn.

the easy-peasy way is to go to Hawaii first and then on to Japan, riding the feather edge of the north pacific high and tradewinds.

it's hard to believe, but there is actually some nice wx along the great circle. sometimes.

the trick will be to learn the wx pattern that facilitates the passage.

worst case I think is get driven down to Hawaii and sail the trades around the rim.



ps, how do we reply with quote?

[marlinman93]

ps, how do we reply with quote?

Click on the quotation marks in the top right corner of the post you want to quote.