Final Notice and Details
Central Oregon Splash-Out – The “Great American Eclipse” 20-22 August 2017
Our plans for this very unique total solar eclipse splash-out are complete. You do not want to miss this event as the next opportunity for viewing a total eclipse in North America is April 2024 with totality only on the east coast!
Our camping location and base of operations will be at Owyhee Reservoir in east-central Oregon. We will be beaching in the bay immediately west of Owyhee Reservoir State Airport (28U – 2680’ASL). The Goggle Earth photo below is dated 15 July 2016. I have been advised by the Owyhee Irrigation District that reservoir levels will be higher than indicated below in mid-August this year due to abundant snow pack (the reservoir is at full pool now). So we will be in good shape for beaching.
This is primitive camping with no facilities whatsoever and no cell service. I will be digging a privy pit and have a privacy cover (an outhouse of sorts). All other camping gear is to be provided by the participants (tents, potable water, food, beverages, etc.). WSPA VP, Greg Corrado, will be arriving Owyhee on wheels and has kindly offered to make a jerry can fuel run for those requiring 100LL (likely Ontario, OR or Caldwell, ID). Another option for 100LL on the water in northern Oregon is Wiley’s Seaplane Port on Willamette River (20G3). Wiley’s is private and has a limited amount of 100LL. Please coordinate at least a week in advance with Aron Faegre, 503-880-1469. Aron has offered to support eclipse splash-out pilots, if able.
Because Owyhee is slightly south of the swath of totality I have located a better body of water for eclipse viewing, that being Unity Reservoir, OR. Unity is 75nm NNW of Owyhee and 25nm SW of Baker City, OR. Unity Reservoir, 3820’, is open to power boats and has a 10,000+ foot N/S arm and a 7,000+ foot E/W arm. Unity lies right smack in the middle of the totality swath and will have a totality duration of just over 2 minutes (starting at 1023PDT on the 21st). From Unity the eclipse can be viewed from the water, shoreline, a 4956’ASL hill immediately east of the reservoir or from the air.
The day-by-day itinerary is as follows;
Sunday – 20 August: Suggested AM flight to Owyhee Reservoir and establish camp. Fuel run as required.
Monday – 21 August: Early AM flight to Unity Reservoir and position for eclipse viewing.
Partial eclipse starts at 0909PDT (from 1 o’clock on the suns disk).
Total eclipse starts at 1023PDT and lasts two amazing minutes.
Early PM return to Owyhee Reservoir camp for “post-eclipse-splash-out celebration party”.
Tuesday – 22 August: Depart Owyhee for points north (when able).
Safety Note: All participants will need eclipse viewing eye protection. Inexpensive and available on-line.
My flight plan (C182) from Renton, W36 to Owyhee and back up NNW to Unity is shown below.
I have had the pleasure of viewing a couple of total solar eclipse. Very impressive from the ground……………perhaps even more impressive while in the air?
Please RSVP to;
Don Goodman
360-303-7076
donaldjg56@gmail.com
