On 29 July 2023, a lighting strike set off forest fire north of Diablo Lake, along Sourdough Ridge, named the Sourdough fire.  This fire would continue to grow and closing State Route 20.  It was clear that it would be a bad idea to continue High Adventure in this area and if there were any doubts, the Rangers canceled reservations and access to Ross Lake.  Two days after the fire started, the leadership of High Adventure met and started going over options for a replacement location. We thought of Wilapa Bay, Lake Chelan, and many others.

Our High Adventure Team considered many alternative options and decided on a 50 mile down the Skagit River.  The final itinerary included:

• Put In - Sun 20 Aug 2023
  48.52403167775668, -121.4403465146713
  Take right hand turn on Highway 20 at 48.591074890854514, -121.37790207823784
  About 5.5 miles from the almost 90-degree turn in Marblemount East on HWY 20 is a dirt road that takes you to the Copper Creek put-in. It's an unmarked dirt road on the right. There is a Left Swerve Road sign right after the dirt road. 
• Camp 1 – Sun 20 Aug 2023
  48.52403167775668, -121.4403465146713
  Or
  48.50350805531394, -121.47866491070874
• Camp 2 – Mon 21 Aug 2023
  48.482550210807794, -121.62049357944318 
• Camp 3 – Tue 22 Aug 2023
  48.51609053588956, -121.71071176476839 
• Camp 4 – Wed 23 Aug 2023
  48.51119878048986, -121.89155841836508 
• Camp 5 – Thu 24 Aug 2023
  48.520198986239286, -122.07638763332184 
• Take Out – Fri 25 Aug 2023
  48.49004034549023, -122.20635660840549
  Wildcat Steelhead Club 

Our High Adventure Team shifted training to focus more on steering in moving water and how to avoid obstacles. Thankfully, one leader had previous river canoeing experience from the previous high adventure cycle and the other is a swift water guide and rescue instructor. The scouts were in good hands, with safety our number one priority.

Site Survey

Our High Adventure team surveyed as much of the river as possible by reviewing recent Satellite Images, and by following the river by road and inspecting as much of the proposed river route as possible. 

Drop Off

We met early in the morning at the Church and packed up our gear and food.  It was clear we would eat well this trip. A far cry from hiking High Adventure where you carry your food for 50 miles. It is said that canoeing is like car camping. With a raft it is more like RV camping.

The first two days were forecast to be bad smoke in the air. We were hoping for clearing later in the week. Being near roads it was good in case things turned for the worse and we had to pull out early for safety reasons. Thankfully it kept getting better and better as the triep went on.

High Adventure

We stopped at the Marblemount bridge for lunch and ice cream from the nearby gas station. Ice cream is required on high adventure.

When we finished the first day of paddling, the scouts got their first tastes of moving water hazards. The scouts handled them all with skill and precision. At camp the adults got to try out hammock stands, two of us for the first time. I think we have a convert to hammock camping.

The scouts learned the hard way about some dangers on the river. They weren't aware that an eddie can create a fence of water you can hit and tip you over. Owen dove out of the boat, that didn't capsize and swam to shore once the stituation was in hand. All our practicing paid off as scout boats swarmed his boat and made sure he and it got safely to shore. The water was cold, but in 80 degree weather it felt good. We watched for hypothermia symptoms of course. Not our only near-capsize event, but the only member of our party to go in the water. Made for a great lunch spot! Good conversations over fences, cotton vs. synthetics, current and eddies that can kill.

With the scouts handling every challenge facing them, Steve decided to add another skill to their repertoire. Holding still in moving water. He had us all turn backwards and paddle just enough to not move back up the river. The goal was to hold all in a row. Not as easy as it looks. We needed this a few times as it takes roughly 4 paddles in the raft to equal one in a canoe. So our safety boat kept falling behind.  

With our High Adventure coming to a close, traffic on the river increased, mainly made up of fishermen fishing for Humpies. We saw them jumping all the time. A special thanks to Debbie who joined to balance out the boats and provide added adult leadership. Couldn't have done this outing without you. Such a strong paddler.