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Lake Pend Oreille - Talache Landing to Maiden Rock, then Evan's Landing, November 9, 2001, 9:00 AM - 3:00PM

By Dennis Andrew

It's Friday morning and I'm out of the house by 7:30. The drug store Time/Temperature reads 37 degrees. Am expecting fog on the water. I'm wearing my light insulated X-C ski pants, a long sleeve capilene undershirt, and light flannel (cotton) shirt. Will have my heavy fleece vest, gore-tex jacket and paddle shirt available in the cockpit. A change of clothes will be in the boat.

Will be scouting a new area of Pend Oreille today. Talache is further than I want to drive, but I also need information on the center section of the lake to set up a traverse trip or a circumnavigation of the lake next spring. Its 60 miles and 80 minutes to the waters edge at Talache. No fog left and the winds are light at 9:00 AM. Left shore heading northeast into the waves wearing the jacket.

The winds are light, but the waves are much larger than the light breeze would cause. There are 3 foot waves 1/4 mile out from shore. Waves might have been caused by earlier high winds. These are the biggest consistent waves I've had a chance to play in. Wave length is 14 - 15 foot, easily measured with my 17-1/2 foot boat. Running straight into the waves is fun and stable. When on a crest, I can easily change headings by sweeping the paddle, but focusing on twisting/swinging the boat with my knees. Running 30 - 45 degrees off the wind is teaching me how to lean into the waves. Always leaning toward the wave, whether it is coming up behind me or in front. This gets a little wet as some of the waves are breaking onto the deck or onto me. Going with the wind and wave action is a bit more work than expected. Must concentrate more on the "feel" of the boat. At first I was getting behind the wave action and correcting a broach as the boat turns parallel to the wave in the trough. Started to learn to lean more aggressively into the wave and to start the lean sooner. Then I needed to lean to the other side as the backside of the wave would pass the bow. All this takes energy and after 45 minutes I have had enough learning experience. Head to protected waters! I'm tired!

Found a beach on what looked like public land for a 1/2 hour snack/rest break. Get out of the boat on the lee side. Don't need to swamp the boat even if I'm here alone when nobody can see a bone-head move. It has warmed up considerably and the wind is 5 knots or less. Get rid of the flannel shirt and jacket, but stashed the jacket on the rear deck for an easy retrieval if needed. Short paddle to Maiden Rock - an appropriate name - what a rock. Nice beach and campground here with a latrine but no one campsite is protected from all possible storm headings. Hiked up the hill 1/2 hour for a pleasant break. The trail could go on for days. Another short paddle to Evan's landing. Smaller camp area than Maiden Rock, also has a latrine. Contrary to popular opinion, there are many places for a kayaker to get off the water in an emergency. A lot of them will not be 'friendly', but you can get off the water. The boat and the operator will probably get scratched.

Short rest at Evan's and start the return trip to Talache. The wind has died completely and the water is smooth and restful. Unbelievable good fortune. Morning route with wind behind me and a return trip with zero wind. I have friends in high places that I need to thank more regularly. Ate the last apple and almost snoozed about a mile off of Talache on a line from Talache and to Whiskey Rock. Navigation in good visibility is easy when at least 1/2 mile off shore to be able to read the drainages. Breeze picking up a bit, just enough to ripple the waters but no waves over a few inches. Back at Talache Landing by 3:00 pm. Pack up and head for home with a scouting stop at Mirror lake. Probably won't be back to Mirror lake.