Returning to La Push for Surveys

After having been closed to the public for over a year due to Covid-19 La Push re-opens. I wondered how much had changed during our absence.

COASST Surveys

With the exception of a few months, our COASST surveys have continued despite the impact of Covid-19. Certainly, it changed quite a few aspects of how we conduct our surveys. Not the least was establishing our basecamp out of La Push with provided us with a quick 10-minute drive to our trailhead.

The pandemic has had other effects on the COASST program as well. From online training sessions to over-crowded backcountry venues. In the 3 years we’ve been surveying our beach, we’ve never had more than a dozen hikers on our beach And this was during the summer months. This year we had more than 55 hikers on the beach during one of our surveys.

After enduring 4 days of storms trying to get enough beach to survey for the COASST project we finally had to call it quits. However we were rewarded with this beautiful sunrise the last day.

Support

Our mission is a labor of love, but it does come with overhead. If you’d like to support our efforts we’d certainly appreciate it. Currently, we’re actively participating in the following field research:

  • COASST Beached Bird Surveys
  • Wild and Scenic River Project

Thank you.

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Working to provide opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to make a difference as they play in the outdoors.
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Working to translate long-term monitoring into effective marine conservation solutions.
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Provide integrated research, communication, and education to coastal communities that lead to the responsible use of the nation’s oceans.

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A forgotten sailboat, once at home on the open seas, now rests as a forgotten relic in the parking lot near Damon Point, standing as a haunting reminder of forgotten dreams and the relentless power of time. ...

The golden hues of the sunset cascade through the dense trees of the Pacific Northwest forest. It's a sight that never gets old, a reminder of the beauty that can be found in even the simplest things. ...

Walking through the forest near our campground on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It’s almost hypnotic listening to the breeze in the canopy and the waves on the shore. ...

As the sun ascends, an explosive burst of vibrant hues paints the sky over Damon Point, illuminating the world with a kaleidoscope of colors and reminding us of the breathtaking beauty that awaits those who embrace each new day. Read more about our adventure; the link is in the bio.⁠ ...

Theresa is leading the way to Pebble Beach. A local in the area had shared that this was once an Indian summer camp and that you could still find arrowheads and pottery. ...

Camping with Jason who found us a great spot on the Columbia River. It’s unbelievable how close the shipping channel comes to our sites. ...

Come explore the stunning beauty of Tokeland with us! 📸 Click the link in our profile to see what Theresa captured and to join in on the conversation about conservation. ...

Exploring the Coastal Charm of Tokeland - Essex Media & Explorations ...

From above, the waves on Long Beach Peninsula look like a canvas of abstract art, each one unique and captivating in its own way. It's like watching a symphony of nature in motion - powerful, graceful, and utterly mesmerizing. 🌊✨ ...

I recently witnessed a breathtaking sunset on the Pacific Coast. The hues of orange, and pink painted the sky and reflected off the calm water. It was a truly unforgettable moment. ...

Theresa's enjoying a moment of peace in Long Beach - just look at that sunset! All of us can help preserve these beautiful places for people to enjoy for years to come. Share your favorite conservation memory in the comments below! ...

We recently camped at Lake Sylvia State Park and were fortunate enough to have a break in the weather. Just as we were rounding the lake's northern end, there was a break in the clouds revealing a golden sky. ...

I'd love for you to check my lastest article which includes a short video of my visit to one of Washington's fire lookouts. https://buff.ly/409XOYR ...

Just published an article over on the website which also has a short clip of my trip to find the Burley Mountain Fire Lookout. Find the link in the bio. ...

Fluffy cotton candy clouds adorn the serene skies and tranquil waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We had to wait a bit for the tide to recede before we could start our #COASST bird survey. ...

We took shelter under an underhand to wait out a squall while conducting our #COASST bird survey on Murdock Beach. Theresa took advantage to do a bit of Agate hunting while the storm blew over head. ...

La Push

We tried a variety of different spots to base out of with different degrees of success. So when we heard that the Quileute Oceanside Resort had reopened to the public including their campground we were anxious to resume our relationship with this special place.

One of the most conspicuous changes was the new large building under construction high on the hill overlooking the rest of La Push. Apparently, this is to be the new school. Not only will it be out of any tsunami danger but from what we could see, it looks like it will be rather nicely laid out.

The rest of the community looked very much the same and we certainly enjoyed saying hello to familiar staff. The only real disappointment was the neighbors who decided to throw a birthday party for forty from a site designed to hold four. They seemed to be confused between tailgating and camping. The resort did what they could to keep them in check but it was a losing proposition.

It’s nice to see more people enjoying the outdoors. Hopefully, as more and more come to appreciate the benefits and beauty they’ll also want to protect and preserve it as well. Can’t let a few bad apples derail the mission.

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