Marmeon - 8-14-2005 at 05:10 PM
I'm kayaking from Mulege to Loreto this winter. I need a place in Mulege to leave two kayaks and gear while I drive to Loreto and take the bus back
to Mulege. At least that's the current plan. I also need a place in Loreto to leave my car for a week or so. Any suggestions?
JZ - 8-14-2005 at 05:21 PM
Suggest number 1, don't go in the winter!!! October and part of November would be the best and than not until March or April.
The wind can blow from the North for five days straight in the winter. It blows hard (20-25mph) and you sure don't want to be caught in that (6-8
foot seas with little period at a minimum).
The percentage of days with strong wind out number the days with light wind. Plus the water is cold. If you did go at this time, you would need to
have very flexible travel plans and be able to lay up for days at a time.
Mid-to-end of October is best, as it marks the end of hurricane season and the temperature has cooled, but is still very pleasant. Plus the water is
warm enough to swim.
[Edited on 8-15-2005 by JZ]
roundtuit - 8-14-2005 at 07:39 PM
Ecomundo -Baja Tropicales Kayaking ( Google Search )
Bruce R Leech - 8-14-2005 at 07:44 PM
Ecomundo -Baja Tropicales Kayaking
http://home.earthlink.net/~rcmathews/
Anonymous - 8-15-2005 at 07:19 AM
For storage on your kayaks in MULEGE, as you asked, just ask around..it's a very friendly place and you would not look long for a secure place to
leave things. You might try Jorge Yee's place under the bridge. He has a storage facility of sorts there...and there are many others, too.
Serinadad, other motels, hotels have some. Can't say about Loreto. Do you know Trudy? FlyfishingPam? Skeet/Loreto?
From our experience, winter kayaking from Mulege to Loreto is very pleasant most to the time. We have made many trips over the last couple of
decades. Only once or twice have we had to seek out sheltered coves (of which there are many, as I am sure you know yourself). NOLS has continuous 2
and 4 week classes which make this route from November througout the winter until closing for the season in May. Plus it would be a rarity to not
see at least a few fishing boats every day along that shoreline. So you will have lots of company available in case you want or need it. Have a happy
paddle.
Many, many years ago, Outward Bound had a kayaking mishap with high winds resulting in death. It is advisable to be cautious at all times.
Anon!
Skeet/Loreto - 8-15-2005 at 09:36 AM
I donot know who you are but you have been around Loreto or the Area for a long time to remember the Death of the Kyacker trying to go across to Pt.
Lobos!!
I am going through my old records to geive you the exact Date.
To the Poster: Always, Always remember that if you are on the open Water and Hear Thunder with no clouds around, seek Shelter/Beach as soon as
possible!!!!
Another thing to remember is that Normally after october 16th, there will be good weather .
The Day of one of those Rare Storms on Oct 17th/18th the wind came up hard and Fast, blowing down one of the Two Bridges down at Nopollo.I and my
wife were at manadero Reef, about 35 miles North of Loreto in Open Water when it Hit. You should Pray that you never get caught like that on the open
Water, The Sea Of cortez!
The Baja Sea guide is invaluable if you can find a Copy.
Good Luck Skeet/Loreto
Anonymous - 8-15-2005 at 02:08 PM
I have an old, weathered copy around here somewhere. Should be easy to find...it looks like me.
storage in loreto
Julie - 8-15-2005 at 03:17 PM
Try Mario's storage, secure parking 1/2 block from the marina on Calle Cabrillo. Phone number from the states 011-52-613-1351971.
Good Luck
Julie Ramos
Iguana Inn
Diver - 8-15-2005 at 05:05 PM
We've done the trip a few times in Jany, Feb and March.
We had to plan our days around the weather, most days we could get in 4-6 hours early before the wind came up. We did sit out a few days due to
weather and whether we wanted to get off our butts. The trick when the waves are picking up is to either know where you will land (a nice sheltered
beach) or get out before the landing becomes too much fun ! We wore shorty wetsuits and booties most days and never got more than a mile or two from
shore.
On one trip, we paddled right up to the Orchards at high tide. We and other friends have left things at both the Orchards and Serenidad after
overnighting there.
Don't be stupid and you should be OK, assuming you're an experienced paddler/camper. If not, either get a guide/group or wait until late spring.
Also, bringing a Satellite phone or CB walkie-talkie isn't a bad idea either.
Anonymous - 8-15-2005 at 06:02 PM
Good advice, Diver...we have made that trip many times, too. In all kinds of weather...suited comfy. We have some favorite camps where we have made
caches for the next trip. Met a wild, crazed donkey one time...another time a group of kayakers from NOLS were camped fairly close to us when a
crazed widcat attacked an instructor in his sleeping bag..biting and clawing at his head! That was no fun for that fellow!
I would add that a satellite phone is nice, but CB's would only be good within your group itself. Nobody else in the area uses them much, if at all.
Best radio is VHF handheld and monitor/call on Ch. 16 for normal traffic and/or the fishermen's channel 22 in that area.
Watch out for those donkeys and wildcats!!
roundtuit - 8-15-2005 at 06:02 PM
I'm sure Greg and Tracy would be happy to store your kayaks for you at Ecomondos while you take your car to Lereto than catch a bus back an get off at
Ecomondos. Could srore your gear at my place(walking distance) till you get back. Won't be down till middle of Oct Only use Ronder99@yahoo.com in
Mexico
Have a great time and wish I was that young again
Ron
Diver - 8-15-2005 at 06:12 PM
Anon,
Thanks, I was wondering what the popular method of communication was these days. In the old days it was CB or nothing.
Good thing I kept the VHF from the days of diving in Grand Cayman. The boat captain calls you to let you know he is coming down the beach to pick you
up for diving. They drop a loading ramp onto the sand and you walk aboard !
Hey, why not register and use a name ?
I'm not looking to turn this into "that" discussion, but I'd prefer a name. It will distinguish you from the other anons.
roundtuit - 8-15-2005 at 06:17 PM
When I was down in Jan. and April every house seem to have a vhf and used it for com on 16
Anonymous - 8-15-2005 at 06:26 PM
I prefer to wait a bit and ... test the waters, so to speak. But I picked a couple of names earlier on another posting that will indentify me...I
used Samhain (because of my heritage) and Ambrose J. Small (a mystery case I love). Samhain means 'ghost' where I come from and Ambrose J. Small
disappeared..becoming another ghost. I am a mystery nut.
Sorry, didn't mean to take this off-thread. Sounds like the good people have come to help with the storage question, though. Which is what I like
about Baja the most..besides the natural beauty, you meet some naturally nice people.
Marmeon - 8-15-2005 at 07:48 PM
Thanks for your replies, suggestions and concerns. We are experienced ocean kayakers and campers, have kayaked in the islands around Loreto before,
and we're careful to keep an eye on the weather. I think a February trip will be just fine for us. If we could we'd be there from October to April.
Maybe next year!
Diver - 8-15-2005 at 08:54 PM
If you stop in at El Requeson, look for Washington plates; we'll be there for at least a few weeks in February.
Radio VHF
Skeet/Loreto - 8-16-2005 at 07:28 AM
Bill and Betty Riffe who live in the round House behind the Tennis court in Loreto "Gurad ch. 16 " and have done so for many years. The residents of
Purto Escondido also keep tuned. In my opinion that would be your best Bet.
"When I knew that Baja had been Discovered""
Sometime around 1980 my wife and I were headed North out of Loreto in our Panga "La Patricia" when we stopped at a favorite place to try for a
Lobster or Two for Supper.
We were in the process of putting our Catch in the "Caha de Helio" when around the point came a Kyack with a couple at least 60 years old, paddling
south toward Loreto with a "Suitcase" of all things, being carried on top of the Kayak!!.
They Hollered at us" Isn"t this the greatest Place for a Vacation"?
I knew then that The Sea of Cortez had been discovered !!
Skeet/Loreto
Anonymous - 8-16-2005 at 08:41 AM
Remember the time the Harrier jet from San Diego Naval base was on a search/rescue mission for the capsized catamaran with 5 people clinging to the
overturned hull? This will date us somewhat. We were on that search too, when the jet buzzed us... very, very LOW....we actually ducked and could
smell the exhaust fumes as it came down on us! The pilot probably had a good chuckle. We were southbound near Pulpito. Searchers found the cat way
south of us. Good ending...they survived. samhain, ambrose J. small.
Skeet/Loreto - 8-16-2005 at 10:44 AM
Sure do remember, all of it especially the buzzing!! But , for the world I cannot place you!!???? Tio and Hymie, Ben Benner are gone.James Kimbrough
had left a couple of years before, Jack Foster is gone, you sure have me stumped as to your I.D.
Skeet/Loreto