Solitude on the Mighty Columbia. Solo Canoe. 2024

This video documents an eight-day solo canoe trip along the Lower Columbia River Water Trail, covering 100 miles from Beacon Rock in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to the estuary at Vista Park in Skamokawa, Washington. The wind, waves, heat and tide create challenges along the way.
The Wenonah Encounter that I paddle is a solo canoe made of Kevlar, is 17 feet long and weighs 38 pounds. Highly recommended for this type of trip, as is a pre-paddle consult with the gurus at paddlepeople.us.

[@rebeccawallick1849]

Another fine voyage and video, Steve; thanks for taking me along, vicariously and literally 🤩

[@canoeron]

Liked it. A round trip on the Columbia. Makes sense once you think about it and the impact of the tides

[@leesessions]

Great scenery. Great video.

[@portlandlawyer]

Thanks, Lee!

[@ArianneSutner-e6x]

Thanks for sharing. Cool trip Captain! Phil & I are exhausted just from watching. Night!

[@portlandlawyer]

Thank you, neighbor!

[@redfisher3334]

Outstanding video ! Well done, Captain ! We really enjoy following along on your adventure.

[@portlandlawyer]

a different way to cover 100 miles. thanks, red!

[@JasonMoffatt]

Great video Steve. Appreciate you sharing the journey.

[@portlandlawyer]

Thanks!

[@AnitaHunt-d1p]

What a great way to end my day...watching a friend on another amazing adventure. You must have the packing/unpacking part down to a science. Thanks for sharing!

[@portlandlawyer]

After six years you tend to get it down. Thanks, Neeter!

[@bikemessenger7]

great to see you back on the water! I love canoeing on the columbia, it feels so alive. though I have had some very intense moments. once I was supposed to head home but the river went so crazy I spent the day on an island and it was only safe to leave towards the evening when the wind calmed down.

[@portlandlawyer]

can relate to getting stranded on islands. one has to defer to the whims of the great and mighty C!

[@sandsock]

that is a amazingly fast canoe, how much of that is from current flowing the right direction. i keep seeing the prism and encounter recommended.

[@portlandlawyer]

after researching the tide charts i figured out what time would be optimal to leave camp each morning. easier and faster that way. on your canoe question, had the same dilemma. thought i wanted the Prism but when the guys from paddle people, Russ and Jeff, brought both out for me to look at, i told them to take the Prism back and that I was keeping the Encounter. very happy with the decision. she's quick, light and stable and packs a load for week long trips.

[@sandsock]

@@portlandlawyer on my bucket list is hybrid orienteering canoe marathoning, i want to get way back in the woods and lakes and do some 50 milers. trying to bang that out in maybe 2 days. just to see if i can do it.