We’re going camping!!
Arrival May 29th 1pm- Departure: May 30th, 1pm.
Only 13 spots available total! This will be a smaller, intimate experience.
This is a special one! My brother, Gabe, and I have dreamed of doing events together and here we are, for our first collaboration… and it’s a campout!! Join us for a day of coastal hikes and rocky intertidal mussel foraging and and night of intimate meals over a campfire prepared by Gabe. Please read the full description and schedule below!
Cape Lookout State Park, located on the sandy spit nestled between Netarts, OR and the Pacific Ocean, is one of my all time favorites along the entire Oregon Coast and it’s closing for maintenance this summer! I couldn’t let it close before doing something special here. And so, this overnight experience will offer time in both the coastal forest as well as the rocky intertidal, with shared meals and cooking demos in between.
Coastal Hiking: Embark on a scenic coastal hike at Cape Lookout. There’s a couple different trails through the forest above the ocean, of various lengths and difficulties that we will decide on as a group once we arrive. The North Trail begins in the day-use area and is 4.7 mile out and back trail along the ridge with expansive views of the ocean, with 810 ft of elevation gain. The South Trail requires a short drive from the campground, and is a 3.6 mile hike with 868 ft of elevation gain. At the bottom of this well maintained switchback heavy trail is a special secluded beach.
Mussel Foraging: Walk alongside one of Alanna’s favorite rocky intertidal ecosystems, below the sheer cliffside of Cape Lookout. Forage for mussels while exploring the rocky headland. We will discuss tides, seasonal ocean conditions, as well as safety and etiquette on the intertidal rocks. There will be a focus on foraging mussels and other edibles. Students will learn when and where to look for these shellfish as well as how to sustainably harvest, store, and process them. You’ll then have time to forage for yourself and ask questions as you go.
Campsite Cooking Demo: There will be a mussel cooking demonstration to wrap up the workshop so that you will confident cooking your shellfish when you get home.
Bring Your Own Camp Gear (BYOCG): We’ll be staying at a group campsite within the State Park. Bring your own camp gear (tents, sleeping bags, headlamps and full set up - whatever you need to be cozy and comfortable for a night sleeping outside. WE WILL NOT BE PROVIDING TENTS OR CAMP GEAR.
FULL SCHEDULE
May 29th, 2025
1pm: Arrive to Cape Lookout State Park (specific campsites and instruction will be sent upon booking)
2pm-4pm: Get your camp gear set up while enjoying some camp snacks by Gabe Kieffer.
4pm: Embark on one of the various hikes offered directly from the State Park.
7pm: Dinner around the fire!
May 30th, 2025 (low tide: -1.5’ at 10:43am)
8am: Pack up camp, grab and go breakfast
9am-12pm: Venture down to the rocky intertidal for a mussel foraging experience.
12pm-1pm: Mussel cooking demonstration back at the campsite with Gabe.
1:00pm: Checkout of campsite.
What’s included:
A guided hike with Alanna, route will be determined by everyone when we arrive.
A mussel foraging lesson and exploration of the intertidal with Alanna.
Arrival bites, dinner around the fire, simple breakfast snacks, and a light lunch of mussels and local bread.
What to bring:
Bring Your Own Camp Gear (BYOCG): We’ll be staying at a group campsite within the State Park. Bring your own camp gear (tents, sleeping bags, headlamps and full set up - whatever you need to be cozy and comfortable for a night sleeping outside. WE WILL NOT BE PROVIDING TENTS OR CAMP GEAR.
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This workshop will be held at Cape Lookout State Park. An exact address and campground will be sent upon registration.
The beach at Cape Lookout is protected by a 50' wide cobble-sized stone revetment. The revetment helps prevent erosion and stabilizes the man-made dune that protects the campground. Visitors who wish to access the beach must walk through the revetment. Please be careful walking on unstable cobblestones.
Campsites do not have ocean views.
Dogs are allowed on the beach but must be on a 6' leash. They are permitted off leash on the beach north of the campground.
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Be prepared for any weather!
Bring Your Own Camp Gear (BYOCG): tents, headlamps, sleeping bags, etc.
For seaweed foraging you’ll need a pair of scissors or a knife, and a gallon size bag or bucket. Don’t forget a cooler with ice to carry your haul home.
More info upon booking!
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Activities will range from uneven and potentially muddy coastal forest trails to open sandy beaches to potentially slippery and unstable rocks. Please bring/wear appropriate footgear (e.g. tennis shoes, rainboots, or other hiking footwear). Whatever you don't mind getting wet that will also keep your feet stable. For your own safety and comfort, do not wear flipflops or sandals. Do keep in mind your feet are likely to be in the water at some point, so rainboots or hiking boots are what I would strongly recommend.
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No license is needed to harvest seaweed in Oregon as long as you are within the season (March 1 - June 15).
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Cancellations made prior to 10 days from the time of the event will get a full refund (minus processing fees) or be rescheduled. Within 10 days of the workshop time, I will do my best to schedule someone but if I cannot fill the spot, no refund will be available.
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The coast is often unpredictable. Events will happen rain or shine. Please be prepared for any and all types of weather. If ocean conditions are unsafe on the day of the event, we will do what we can to educate and have a full lesson while keeping everyone safe.
