Floating the Skagit Event Cache

The Skagit River hosts the largest winter Bald Eagle population in the continental U.S., with the highest concentration in January.

So far, we have 4 rafts and guides available, though I'm working on getting 1 more raft if we need it, so we're limited to maybe 30-45 people on our rafts. But anyone is welcome to bring their canoes or kayaks or whitewater rafts if they would like, and join everyone!

Please see the GC.Com forum thread about the GeoRafting Event for more information.

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1 - GrievousAngel
1 - Right Wing Wacko
3 - ruck (ruck will be in a kayak)
1 - Lucy (lucyandrickie (Lucy's going down the river, Rickie will be nearby for moral support)
1 - hydnseek
2 - Lola & The Gnome
1 - Robinego
2 - runhills
2-4 - docgar
2 - Smylegirl
2 - PNWbrat
1 - cynj
3 - 5HappyCampers
2 - cachecreepers
3 - BFPierce

People bringing their own boat:

3 - ruck (with 2 friends) - kayaks
2 - TeamIDFC - kayaks
1 - LandRover - kayak
2 - Babybackpackers - kayaks
2 - mountainranger - kayakes

People who are staying behind for support:

1 - Rickie (lucyandrickie)
1 - Half-Canadian and Scooter the Wonder Dog
1-3 - Ambrosia (and my kids if they don't raft...if I'm too sick I will not attend, if I'm well enough and there is room, I will raft)

Total in our rafts: 28 - 30 - numbers updated 11:59pm 1/25

Anyone who is signing up for this float, please give me the number of people coming in your log, so we know how many we can fit, unless of course, you are bringing your own boat.

If we have too many people sign up, we will put people on a waiting list for people who drop out, or to see if we can get more boats, or possibly even take a second float in February if there's a lot of extra people.

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Now on to the fun stuff:

This float is pretty calm. It's just for enjoying nature, the bald eagles, and other cachers' company. Last year, we even brought little camp stoves and made quesadillas and had hot chocolate right inside of the boat, so it's a calm and easy ride.

Here is my note on the cache at the put in from our Skagit River float trip from last year (it was just a family and friends outing), with pictures in it. This might help you get an idea of what the Event will be like: link

Here is a Wikipedia link about the Skagit River, which has a little info on the Bald Eagles.

Here is a webpage with a Bald Eagle count. The weekend of the GeoRafting Event is also the Upper Skagit Bald Eagle Festival. If you click on the Home tab for that webpage, it will give you info about the festival.

Potential caches on the river or on the highway between put in and take out (in no particular order):

"Fünf"
Wildlife Series: Fish On!
Wildlife Series: Eagle 100
Eagles Nest Cocoon
America The Beautiful: River Crossing
Kicking Cache
Wildwood Chapel

Please mention any others that I may have missed!

• Where: Meet at the posted coordinates, which is the put in, a nice, pretty, roomy parking area with 2 caches.
• When: Sunday, January 27, at 11:00am. We can meet and get everything organized and have a debriefing and then get in the water! The trip should take 2 1/2 hours or so.
• What to wear: Warm clothing - it can get very cold. If you have snow pants, heavy winter jacket, long underwear, etc. wear that. There will probably be a little water in the bottom of the boat, if you have water proof shoes or boots, wear them - if not, wear warm shoes with wool socks if you can. Winter boots work great, most of them are partially water proof, and they're warm! Gloves, warm hats. It's winter! Rain jacket/pants if it rains, sun tan lotion if it's sunny.
• What to bring: Snacks, sack lunches, drinks. GPSr, camera, binoculars. Donation if you can to help out the youth/school who is providing the equipment (unless you are bringing your own boat and equipment).
• What we provide: Four-five commercial whitewater rafts with experienced guides, paddles, and lifejackets. Hot chocolate.