The short little pull from Hoh R to Queets R turned out to a trial for all. A vehicle tried to launch a small support boat in the surf and got a saltwater wash. Several attempts fianlly pulled it out. We finally met that 3rd Nooksack canoe as it hailed us over. Some more old journey faces I recognized there. We dug deep in our boat supplies feeding and hydrating all of our canoe crew and the new one. The surf was beginning to pound as our first canoe drew near. We gave them what we knew: Strong pullers up front all pulling hard without stopping. No turning around to back in. The skippers seat and next seat up all steering. Time it to follow right on the back of a wave set. No stopping to turn around. Keep the canoe straight and pull right into shore. The first NKK canoe took the beach like they owned it. The next one had no troubles. The third with our kids, stalled. Instantly they surf had them sideways and rolled them. One our boys found himself under the canoe which knocked him around some. Recovering he worked to get other kids out from under the surf stricken canoe. They all quickly got the canoe out on to the beach. Our young man was checked at a local hospital and cleared to pull tomorrow. About 8 canoes had made for the beach. I believe 4 were rolled over. The first one tried to stop and back in. That of course did not work. I guessing next time someone offers surf landing training there will be more canoe crews in attendence. The beach landing was then srubbed and maybe 90% of the canoes had to continue another 15 miles to Pt Greenville. Many who were without support boats were looking for help. It was hard to drive away from that. But we had nearly depleted our ability to help anyone. We had to make for port to replenish. Some of our dear friends did not make it out today. We will be there for them on the last leg, tomorrow.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 23:21:07 +0000
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