Not much kayaking here

[Blind Squirrel]

Here's a video of 2 fishing boats crossing the Columbia Bar and entering the Columbia River near Warrenton, OR:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/ByGSMmenPDM?rel=0
Even light westerly winds against the ~6kt flow of the river create 12-foot seas, and the inlet's shut down when the waves get above ~30'.
Please note the very light boat traffic compared to our own BI, MI, and SRI. Fishing charters available from Astoria and Warrenton. Catch 'em up, but don't clean 'em on the way in. :)

[torchee]

dude...

I'll pass.

[PaBeerGuy]

I believe that was in New Zealand. That video has been around here for awhile now.

[blynch]

I believe that was in New Zealand. That video has been around here for awhile now.


Yep... "2 fishing vessels brave the Grey River bar in full flood Greymouth New Zealand" according to the caption...

[SaltLife1980]

I have seen that video a while back.. That is most likely pure fear going through that pass.. That area can get super nasty super fast.. I believe they dont close it until the waves are over 25 feet with a duration of under 4 seconds.. Flying by the seat of your pants.. The boat is surfing more then it is steaming..

[Blind Squirrel]

I believe that was in New Zealand. That video has been around here for awhile now.
Thanks for the correction, PBG. I've never seen it before and should've checked the email "facts" more carefully. The location for the video is the Grey River Bar in Greymouth, New Zealand, not Columbia River Bar.
Neither one's a picnic for boaters, apparently:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bfo3vqFvK0
From the Columbia Bar's wiki page: "Since 1792, approximately 2,000 large ships have sunk in and around the Columbia Bar, and because of the danger and the numerous shipwrecks the mouth of the Columbia River acquired a reputation world wide as the Graveyard of Ships."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_River_Bar

[PaBeerGuy]

That's a good read squirrel man. I especially like the name of the lighthouse. Cape Disappointment. I wonder where they got the name? lmao:D :D

[Blind Squirrel]

That's a good read squirrel man. I especially like the name of the lighthouse. Cape Disappointment. I wonder where they got the name? lmao:D :D
Plenty of dead fisherman b/c of Columbia Bar, so I think "disappointment" is a little mild. Thanks again for that correction, my friend; I'm usually the one sending snopes links to others when their emails don't pass the sniff test. Even a Blind Squirrel finds a nut once in a while, but this one didn't yesterday AM. :o