Trip Report

Sea Kayaking Student Paddle - Skagit

Calm winds and waters with overcast skies made for a pleasant summer paddle in the greater Deception Pass area. Two students completed their first required paddle to qualify for their Mountaineers Basic Sea Kayaking badges, both successfully demonstrating self and assisted rescues along the way.

Doug Palm

June 23, 2025

Date: Sat, Jun 21, 2025
Activity: Sea Kayaking Student Paddle - Skagit & Hope Islands
Route/Place: Skagit & Hope Islands
Activity Type: Sea Kayaking
Trip Result: Successful
Rating:

Road Conditions: Road suitable for all vehicles
Route Conditions:
Conditions were calm and smooth most of the way. Some slight turbulence was encountered on the way from Ben Ure Island to Hoypus Point on the flood but that’s nearly always the case there.

Trip Report

Scenes from today's EMSK student paddle around Skagit and Hope islands in the greater Deception Pass area...

Stopping for a break on Skagit Island. Kiket Island in the middle distance…

Rather than the usual stop on the south side of Hope Island, we had lunch on the east side to get out of the wind. While it wasn't terribly windy today it was warmer in the wind shadow. We saw many pairs of Pidgeon Guillemots in this area and a pair of Belted Kingfishers...

Following a forward range to cross over to Ala Spit at the start of the flood there. We backstopped the end of the spit to avoid overshooting it in the current. Managed a very nice straight line across. While we crossed we were buzzed by half a dozen noisy Oyster Catchers...