Thanks Timothy, how does the saying go: "Your most important piece of equipment is your brain". We read about the kayak fatalities in the local paper.

Nice thing about the San Juans: there are dozens of bail-out options if you plan for contingencies. I was out there two years ago at a drive-up campsite. It was too windy to do much more than paddle in the bay. Later we found out that two kayakers had not made it back home that day. They were in a tandem; the boat and bodies were found at different locations so no one knows exactly what happened. No doubt they were overcome by the wind; probably in combination with currents, waves, etc.

Hundreds (maybe thousands) of amateur kayakers paddle those waters each year. It's surprising there aren't more of these incidents given the potential danger. I guess the point I want to make is: it's still possible to enjoy the sport without being an advanced paddler - providing the right planning and precautions are taken.

We're going to summit Mt. Adams this weekend (weather permitting). It's a 12,000', glacier-covered volcano. People die in out on those volcanoes just about every year. Even so, it is possible to do it safely as long as you use good judgment and have contingency plans.