Lake Columbia trips
Lake Columbia, which is around 30 miles north of Madison, provides good conditions for outside paddling throughout winter when all the waters everywhere else are frozen. Lake’s waters are heated to 80 F (sometimes even warmer) by a billion watt coal-fired power plant, so as long as the weather temperature is above freezing, the lake is the perfect destination for a day trip of going back to "outside" in the middle of winter – although it is maybe not the "most" beautiful spot of Wisconsin.
Things you need are:
· Kayakers: Wetsuit (extra layers of warm when wet polypro helps)
· Canoers: Wetsuit and/or many layers of warm when wet polypro; rain pants; it''s also a good idea to bring extra clothes in a waterproof bag to change into in case of an unlikely accident
· A good waterproof jacket
· Plenty of water, some snacks/food for lunch
· Warm hat and gloves even if you don''t get cold easily
· Towel, change of clothes
· Lake rating for canoes and SK1 for sea kayaks
· $5 for gas and boat use fee
