Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life. From Portland: Take Highway 30 to Astoria, then merge onto Highway 101 north to cross the river and proceed on to Ilwaco. Once you get to Ilwaco head west from the stoplight (only one in town) following the signs to Cape Disappointment State Park. Youngsters jumped from the well-known spot on Plymouth Hoe last Friday (June 21), while volunteers conducted a simulation rescue just metres away.

The demonstration was held to raise awareness of the work done by the Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Team, and to highlight the area as an “incident hot spot”. Using a hooked pole and the steps curved into themselves, bodies ranging from victims of murder, suicide, and accidental drowning, or those that were just tossed into the river were retrieved and left on public display in the alcove for identification from friends and families. It’s believed that many bodies over the years were left unidentified for so long that during decomposition, some would explode under the pressure of bodily gasses. This would explain the easy-to-clean white tiles that compose the walls of Dead Man’s Hole. Beneath the northern end of London’s famous Tower Bridge is a Victorian reminder of the River Thames’ gruesome history. On the eastern side of the bridge, visitors will find an alcove overlooking the dark waters of the river. year old Laura Marlin longs for a life of adventure, like those in her favourite books. Orphaned at birth and raised in a children’s home, she finally gets the chance to escape her dull existence when her uncle comes forward to adopt her. Her new life in Cornwall proves more mysterious than she might have wished for, however, and Laura has to use all her powers of deduction to unravel the secrets surrounding Dead Man’s Cove. When orphaned Laura Marlin is sent to live with her uncle in St Ives, Cornwall, she is convinced that a life of adventure is hers at last. But everywhere she turns she is confronted with mysteries.We tell them the risks and the hazards and if needs be, we explain some of the things that have gone wrong. They do listen, but they carry on and do it anyway. Adam Hawson, Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Team Dead Man’s Cove won the 2011 Blue Peter Book of the Year award and was short-listed for Children’s Book of the Year at the Galaxy National Book Awards. Lauren St John was born and raised in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). From the age of 11 she lived on a game reserve, which provided the inspiration for her memoir Rainbow’s End and her White Giraffe series of children’s books. Dead Man’s Cove is the first in her series of Laura Marlin mysteries. From the trailhead parking area, set out on a rolling trail through ferns, salal and evergreens dripping moss (and likely mist). The dirt (and probably muddy) path winds downhill to a low saddle, where a social trail to the right leads to a beach, ominously named Deadman’s Cove. Though the beach may be tempting, please stay on the true trail—the park has closed these social trails to prevent erosion. He urged the youngsters to consider learning an outdoor activity, like coasteering, to ensure they understand the importance of safety.

It is infuriating because we know the consequences but they just say 'you're spoiling our fun'. John Peattie, Station Manager I work in outdoor education and I take people coasteering, a lot of these kids don't know about it and don't know about the dangers involved.The view of Deadman's Cove from the trail to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. Photo by Anna Roth. Unfortunately there's not much we can do. It's a bit cheeky, isn't it? If they know we're here it's a bit disrespectful. This hollow stands out when compared to its neighboring tunnels, with its glossy white tiles as opposed to dark stone cobbles. Known romantically as Dead Man’s Hole, the alcove served as an architectural net to catch the dead bodies that were carried through the city by the River Thames, of which there were many when Tower Bridge was constructed. Cape Disappointment is two miles south of Ilwaco. From Kelso, take Ocean Beach Highway to the tiny town of Naselle. Here, make a left onto SR 401, driving for 12 miles to a junction of Highway 101, where a left turn would take you over the Astoria Bridge. Drive straight through this intersection, continuing on Hwy 101 for 11 miles to the city of Ilwaco and the junction of SR 100.