BajaNomad
Not logged in [Login - Register]

Go To Bottom
Printable Version  
 Pages:  1  
Author: Subject: Kayaking Punta Final to LA Bay
Graham
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-4-2013 at 09:40 PM
Kayaking Punta Final to LA Bay


Having a crack at kayaking the coast between Punta Final and LA Bay.

Thirty years ago (1983) I walked down the coast from Punta Final to LA Bay as part of my goal to walk around the coast of Baja… (at least everywhere south of Ensenada and San Felipe.) It was incredibly beautiful but also somewhat challenging for a redheaded couch potato fresh over from England. Story told in my 1988 book – Into a Desert Place.

I’ve always wanted to re-visit the area… been 30 years… and I hope to do so in the next week or so, on my sit-on-top kayak.

Knowing the wind and the currents, I won’t be in any hurry and have no intention of ever being more than 100 yards from shore.

Have great memories of the hospitality received at the little shark fishing community at Calamajue.

Looking forward to a very slow drift/paddle from north to south, with lots of wind enforced breaks and hikes inland. When I walked it, I often wished I had something that would float to get me and my pack around all the rugged headlands and sheer cliffs.

Does anyone know if I’m likely to find anyone/any water there on the beach at Calamajue today? Anyone planning on being in the area at that time? Can I drive out to the end of the road at Punta Final and launch from there? Is there a secure place to leave a vehicle? Appreciate any advice.
Thanks.


Youtube of my kayaking Guardian Angel Island in March.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEo49gtoXiU




View user's profile Visit user's homepage
willardguy
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-4-2013 at 10:28 PM


last couple trips out (calamajue) not a soul around for miles. pila still bone dry, the chapel is untouched, everything else is in shambles. putting in at punta final should be no problem.
View user's profile
Barry A.
Select Nomad
*******




Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline

Mood: optimistic

[*] posted on 11-4-2013 at 11:01 PM


Boy, Graham, that is a long paddle, as you know. Can you carry enough supplies on a sit-on-top???

I don't know-----------------------?

Barry
View user's profile
Graham
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-5-2013 at 12:26 AM


Yes, it's going to be a pretty long paddle and I'll need a bit of luck with the wind. I have a large Cobra Tandem kayak, rated to carry 600lbs. Way more than than the 60-70lbs I carried when I walked it!

Food no problem - I expect to eat a lot of fish and shellfish and seaweed and carry enough basic supplies for a month. Water will be the main concern. If I carry 15-20 gallons... one re-supply should be enough to avoid having to fall back on using stills. And I'm sure I'll find space for a little beer.

Amazing to think how Calamajue has changed. It was quite a "village" with a school and a teacher when I stayed there a week in May 1983. Many a day when the pangas returned I helped clean the catch. Thanks for the info.









View user's profile Visit user's homepage
redhilltown
Super Nomad
****




Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-5-2013 at 01:02 AM


Wow...hard to imagine Calamajue as "bustling" but you have the proof! One of my most vivid memories of Baja is when we were there a couple of years ago and launched our tin boat with the help of two-count em two-locals that were there...we rounded the southern most point and looked south and it was an awesome sight...so vast and rocky. The race will be going thru there soon and maybe some of those guys on here will have an update????
View user's profile
Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-5-2013 at 01:38 AM


Gary,

Perhaps the best place to launch your kayak at Pt Final is at 'Snoopy's'. As you face the Cortez there is a ramp on the right side of Snoopy that is of little use. But there is a protected area next to it that is virtually dead calm no matter how rough the sea may be. There is usually a panga anchored there that rests on the sand during low tide and floats at high tide. That spot can be driven to with a 4WD and your kayak could be safely launched.

That area now requires a fee from the rancher. I would think that you could arrange to have your vehicle parked next to his house and have it watched over. There are also several homes at Pt Final and someone may agree to have your vehicle stay on their property. Those homes are within a short walking distance of Snoopys. The third option is to leave your truck at Snoopys which is not as crazy as it sounds because the area is gated requiring a fee to be paid to drive through. One bit of advice on the last option: park up as high up off that beach on to those rocks as your 4WD will take you. The spring high tide (in winter) goes up surprisingly high.

Good luck.

Oh yes, one other thing. There is a well in Calamajue but it's not right on the coast and the water is not the best. The shark fishermen told me about it and offered water. I don't know it's exact location (or even approximate).

One good thing about your trip: you'll have the wind to your back the whole way which should make it drier, safer, and easier to paddle.
View user's profile
Desert Rat
Junior Nomad
*




Posts: 69
Registered: 8-29-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-5-2013 at 01:48 AM


So, you are at it again! Your kayak trip should provide you with quite an adventure. I wish you the best. Be careful out there. Look up, look down and look all around! Looking forward to reading your trip report.
View user's profile
mcfez
Elite Nomad
******


Avatar


Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-5-2013 at 07:10 AM


Still waiting for that next book to come out :-)


Contact here for stow of your vehicle. PF is full of folks this time of the year.
http://puntafinal.com/

Also......can you "tow" water behind you? Something like a small inner tube would have very little resistance.........



[Edited on 11-5-2013 by mcfez]




Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
View user's profile
nandopedal
Nomad
**




Posts: 169
Registered: 6-1-2010
Location: San Diego Ca
Member Is Offline

Mood: Negra Modelo

[*] posted on 11-5-2013 at 11:20 AM


Best of luck Graham!



\"There are many dangers in Baja. The most serious of which is not going.\" Christophe Noel (EXPO)
View user's profile
David K
Honored Nomad
*********


Avatar


Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline

Mood: Have Baja Fever

[*] posted on 11-5-2013 at 11:37 AM


Naturally, I am happy to post your SPOT location maps and any emergency signal... being this is a pretty remote coast with only 4 roads* to it between Punta Final and the coast near La Gringa... rumored to be used by drug traffickers... we wish you success!

*Puerto Calamajue, near Punta Bluff, near Punta Candelero, Bahia Guadalupe.




"So Much Baja, So Little Time..."

See the NEW www.VivaBaja.com for maps, travel articles, links, trip photos, and more!
Baja Missions and History On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bajamissions/
Camping, off-roading, Viva Baja discussion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vivabaja


View user's profile Visit user's homepage
David K
Honored Nomad
*********


Avatar


Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline

Mood: Have Baja Fever

[*] posted on 11-5-2013 at 11:50 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe


Oh yes, one other thing. There is a well in Calamajue but it's not right on the coast and the water is not the best. The shark fishermen told me about it and offered water. I don't know it's exact location (or even approximate).


Well location:





"So Much Baja, So Little Time..."

See the NEW www.VivaBaja.com for maps, travel articles, links, trip photos, and more!
Baja Missions and History On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bajamissions/
Camping, off-roading, Viva Baja discussion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vivabaja


View user's profile Visit user's homepage
Graham
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-5-2013 at 12:41 PM


Thanks for all the great suggestions and advice.... and the good wishes. Yes, my best friend in all this will be my Spot device and location/status signals. That will be a big comfort knowing you'll be receiving them David and posting my whereabouts.

There will be times when I'm going to feel awfully small on my kayak looking up and down that rugged coast knowing it may be weeks before I emerge at the other end.




View user's profile Visit user's homepage
sancho
Ultra Nomad
*****




Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-5-2013 at 03:25 PM


Here's a vid posted a while back, kayak paddle from
San Felipe to Mulege. makes you feel like your there

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQSFy8fjbE0
View user's profile
AndyP
Nomad
**




Posts: 116
Registered: 12-8-2009
Location: Eugene, OR
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-5-2013 at 07:15 PM


Sounds like a really fun trip! If you don't have your water storage figured out yet the 10 liter MSR Dromedary bags are probably the way to go- very tough and conform well to the kayak. Make some solid tie-down points along the center of the the kayak and they'll make good ballast and keep the boat very stable.

Also the Pacific Action style sails are pretty cool downwind sails that supposedly work really well for sit-on-top's, and you can make them yourself for cheap. Covering the miles under sail feels pretty luxurious out there, but does add another element of risk. I'm excited to see the trip report, I've paddled from Mulege to La Paz and want badly to do the section you're headed for. Few things are better than paddling in Baja!
View user's profile Visit user's homepage
Graham
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 558
Registered: 6-16-2006
Location: San Diego and DeTour, MI
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-6-2013 at 09:50 AM


Nice video sancho... thanks.

And thanks for the sail and water storage suggestions Andy. I hadn't planned on doing anything except paddling and usually only on the calmest days but I've taken note of the design and maybe at some point I'll see if I can rig up a sail from what I'm carrying or what I can find along the way.

If all goes well I want to explore the shore slowly and have lots of time to land and take pictures and try to recall the fun and feelings I had tackling all the problems when I walked it.

One advantage to walking - when I woke every day I knew I'd be packing and leaving.... With the kayak and wind and tide I may not be able to leave for days.

On the other hand, there probably won't be any long climbs inland following coyote trails or need to wade up to my chest in the sea carrying my backpack over my head.

My Cobra Tandem kayak may be - like me - old, fat and slow but it's very stable and able to hold a lot of beer...





room inside.




room on the deck to stack stuff.







On my last trips I've carried water in bleach bottles and 2-litre soda bottles... and spread the risk and the load.


Hardest part of the trip will be the beginning when I'm fully loaded and needing to get the kayak up and down the sometimes rocky "beach." An extra challenge when alone.




View user's profile Visit user's homepage
bajadock
Super Nomad
****


Avatar


Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-6-2013 at 10:22 AM


Looks like a challenge, especially during unfriendly wind conditions. Any guess as to how many days the trip will take?



View user's profile
Martyman
Super Nomad
****




Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 11-6-2013 at 12:30 PM


Dump the beer-switch to tequila. Takes up less room!
Sounds like a great trip...I'm jealous.
View user's profile
Barry A.
Select Nomad
*******




Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline

Mood: optimistic

[*] posted on 11-6-2013 at 12:53 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
Dump the beer-switch to tequila. Takes up less room!
Sounds like a great trip...I'm jealous.


When space and weight are really tight, I always switched to BACARDI 151 proof, but you have to be REALLY careful of that stuff.

Yes, I too am "jealous"-------that is a "lost coast" for sure, ripe for exploration and spending time along, and just dreaming!!!

Barry
View user's profile
David K
Honored Nomad
*********


Avatar


Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline

Mood: Have Baja Fever

[*] posted on 11-6-2013 at 04:36 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
Here's a vid posted a while back, kayak paddle from
San Felipe to Mulege. makes you feel like your there

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQSFy8fjbE0


Cool to see the video begin on Shell Island at sunrise... at the structure (that used to be there) just south of our camping spot!




"So Much Baja, So Little Time..."

See the NEW www.VivaBaja.com for maps, travel articles, links, trip photos, and more!
Baja Missions and History On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bajamissions/
Camping, off-roading, Viva Baja discussion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vivabaja


View user's profile Visit user's homepage
Udo
Elite Nomad
******


Avatar


Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline

Mood: TEQUILA!

[*] posted on 11-6-2013 at 04:56 PM


Little bit of kayaking advice, Graham...from a kayaker:

I would buy one of those short sails you can add on to the yaks. You entire trip will be downwind and should take a lot of the stress from your paddling. As you know...the wind generally comes from the northeast in that area of the SOC.




Udo

Youth is wasted on the young!

View user's profile
 Pages:  1  

  Go To Top

 






All Content Copyright 1997- Q87 International; All Rights Reserved.
Powered by XMB; XMB Forum Software © 2001-2014 The XMB Group






"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen. The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez

 

"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt

 

"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes

 

"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn

 

"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law







Thank you to Baja Bound Mexico Insurance Services for your long-term support of the BajaNomad.com Forums site.







Emergency Baja Contacts Include:

Desert Hawks; El Rosario-based ambulance transport; Emergency #: (616) 103-0262