Orcas Is Event: Deer Harbor to Yellow and Wasp Islands, with return via Pole Pass, L2, 9-17-22

  This trip is limited to members with a wet exit certification (except for level 1 trips when the paddler is not using a spray skirt....if the paddler is wearing a spray skirt on a level 1 paddle, the Wet Exit Certification is REQUIRED).  To successfully register you will need to sign into your OOPS member account, and your account will need to be a member of the "Wet Exit Certified" group if you intend to wear a spray skirt.  Your acceptance is conditional on approval by the Organizer, who may contact you with questions about your skills and equipment.  If the measured water temperature is different enough from that listed below to warrant a change in required immersion protection, the Organizer will contact all participants and the Trips Board member with the update at least a day before the trip.

Full Name: Chris Mayou
Activity Title: Orcas Is Event: Deer Harbor to Yellow and Wasp Islands, with return via Pole Pass, L2, 9-17-22
Date of Activity: 9/17/2022
Narrative: Launching from Deer Harbor Waterfront Preserve (limit 5 vehicles, free, no restroom but there is one at the nearby Marina), this trip takes us to Yellow Island Preserve, an 11-acre island owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). We’ll launch at 10:30 a.m. and stop first at McConnell Rocks (next to McConnell Island) for a lunch or snack break. Then we’ll continue through the Wasp Islands to Yellow Island, arriving about noon. No food is allowed on Yellow Island. Note: You must carpool or have someone drop you off and pick you up due to limited parking.

I have secured permission for a group larger than six people to land on Yellow Island. Walking shoes or sturdy water shoes are recommended. The island hike is short and enjoyable. This island had a completely different type of bio-region than neighboring islands.

We will leave Yellow Island by 1 p.m. and go through Pole Pass at 2 p.m., arriving back at our launch spot around 3 p.m. We’ll pay special attention to any possible ferries using Wasp Passage.
Meeting Time: 9:45:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Deer Harbor Waterfront Preserve
Take out: same
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Chris Mayou
Assistant Organizer(s): Wendy Luo
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person:
Maximum number of paddlers: 10 due to parking limitations
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 65
Estimated Water Temperature: 55
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5 hours
Tide times & heights: TIDE: 9449798 Orcas, Orcas Island, WA
2022/09/17 Sat 04:32 AM 0.44 L
2022/09/17 Sat 1:20 PM 6.76 H
2022/09/17 Sat 6:05 PM 5.91 L

Current information: CURRENT: Wasp Passage Narrows (PUG1721) Depth: 11 feet
2022-09-17 08:48 AM flood 1.72
2022-09-17 12:42 PM slack [plan to be through Wasp Passage and then Pole Pass from 1:30 to 2 p.m.]
2022-09-17 03:24 PM ebb -0.95 [to our advantage, ebb flows east]

Hazards: Shipping traffic
Wind strength: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
Swell/Surf size: Level 1: Under 1' waves, no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 1: Waves up to the deck seam; water glassy to rippled, no whitecaps
Landing types: Level 1: Frequent easy landing opportunities including gently sloping, sand, gravel or grass
Currents: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 2: Less than 1 mile
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: Wind will be the determining factor for a final rating
Location (Optional): Deer Harbor Washington 98245 48.622025, -123.000293