A Run to BC, Caldwell Is and the Skookumchuck

[Nehalennia]

So I'm not sure how many heard about the tugboat that recently capsized in the Skookumchuck rapids recently but it's a 15-20 minute boat ride from my Uncle and Aunt's "Caldwell Is.".
Here's a video some kayakers took of the actual capsizing.
Beware of foul launguage.
http://www.break.com/usercontent/2009/7/tug-boat-flip-828134.html

The main thing that was against them is that the current runs through the Skookumchuck rapids very fast.
Here we are at the same place a few years ago on my Unlce's 13' Whaler.

It's extremely power tidal swing

We're heading up there on Sunday.

 

[Ray 40]

Todd,
Where are these rapids?
We will be around the Gulf Islands and over to Pender Harbor (Garden Bay), Nanaimo, Telegraph Hbr., Otter Bay, Ganges etc... the month of August. Shout if you are nearby....our boat name is 'Bud Ray' - 40 Sedan bridge ( with beer cooler!)

Bud :smt038

 

[Nehalennia]

Hey Bud
These are further north, north of Pender harbour.
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.as...dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

I'll be heading this way on Sunday and make a straight run through from the Swinomish boat Launch. It'll take about 5-5 1/2 hours.

 

[rstaub]

The Skookumchuck Narrows should only be transited at SLACK TIDE. They are some of the largest tidal rapids in the world and can produce 16' standing waves on a large tide. Check the Tide and Current tables before attempting. They're about 2 hours north of Pender Harbour.

 

[Nehalennia]

They're not quite that far north of Pender Harbour unless you doing 15 knots, but yes they're wild. We used to ride jet skis through them while it was running. Pretty fun, but you need to know how they work.

 

[Nehalennia]

We'll be on Seattle's waterfront Friday and Sat then Sunday running up through the Gulf Islands to Caldwell Island for the week.

Run from Swinomish Slough to Caldwell Island

 

[Nehalennia]

Last years "rendezvous" Dawgfish, Go AweighTo, Sound Dreams and us.

Clams anyone?

Here's some pics of a couple past trips. I'll post new ones after we return.
View from Nelson Island

View from the Agememnon Channel

View from the front porch of the main cabin

 

[Nehalennia]

Thought I'd finally get around to posting this since it's been a week since we've been back.

While up at Caldwell Island we took a trip over to the public dock near Bathgates for a walk up to the Skookumchuck rapids viewpoint.

Skookumchuck 20 minutes after max ebb tide.

Afterwards we walked back to the boat, (it's about an hour each way, nice walk and trail). We decided to take everyone through the rapids to show them how cool it is. It was much calmer by then and we've gone through many times before, so we know the layout.

Here is some video we shot while running through.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrqjfSc7fDE[/youtube]