Island Paddlers: August 2011

Living on the most eastern of the San Juan archipelago islands, Fidalgo island, the variety of trip & training paddle routes from here are endless. While strong currents do exist in nearly every channel surrounding our island shores, learning how to use these currents to travel in the back eddies, the mid-channel-river-like 'green tongue', along with harnessing the strength of the winds (with kayak sails), is what paddling the San Juans is all about to us... Efficiency. Speed. Using what Nature offers to help us achieve our paddling (distance travelling & racing speed) goals. Which sometimes mandates a combination of styles & skills from river and sea kayaking mixed in with occasional surfing and sailing. Adreline rushes. Personal Speed Records. Risk-taking. Innovation. ~Paddle the Islands and let Nature Inspire.~

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Mountain Biking Crystal Mountain

Mountain Biking Crystal Mountain from Island Paddlers on Vimeo.

Follow along with Team Jolly Roger- husband and wife, expert & beginner level mountain bikers- as they spend a weekend at Crystal Mountain Resort, under the shadows of majestic Mount Rainier, riding the Northway Trail...

On a grueling, 3 steeeep miles ride/ hike-a-bike ascent up a gravel service road to reach the 6,856 feet summit ridge trailhead before being rewarded with the best 7 mile, high alpine, singletrack ride *with the ultimate Cascade mountain volcanic views* in the Pacific Northwest!