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AndyP
Nomad
Posts: 116
Registered: 12-8-2009
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Quote: | Originally posted by degoma
For a vivid description of kayaking the pacific coast check this out:
Keep It Moving - Baja By Canoe , Valerie Fons, 1986, ISBN 0-89886-101-2
Why they call their boats canoe’s I don’t understand…look like kayaks to me. The trip continues around the cape and up the gulf. Good, if not
harrowing, read.
[Edited on 3-12-2014 by degoma] |
They were paddling decked canoes (which look kinda like kayaks), I think Kruger Sea Winds.
Luke, I've paddled from Mulege to La Paz, and am headed back now to kayak from BOLA to La Paz. I kept a blog with some details if it's helpful:
http://potterfs.wordpress.com/category/mexico/kayak-mulege-t...
Also you will want this book, it doesn't cover most of the pacific though:
http://www.amazon.com/Guide-To-Baja-Sea-Kayaking/dp/09645399...
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Marv and Aletha Patchen also had a open canoe adventure from San Felipe south to Mulege, back in the 70's... Reading these other accounts will help
you to know what to prepare for and of all possible consequences...
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LukeJobbins
Nomad
Posts: 196
Registered: 3-11-2014
Location: Lemoore, Ca
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Right on guys! I'm definitely going to read all these books and blogs. I'm not really opposed to going to pac side first I was just thinking of
someone dropping me off around san felipe and then not having to worry about someone picking me up, just cruise into SD(home). I am planning on
practicing surf passages a lot when I get the kayak I am going to use. I have done some in sit on top kayaks just for fun but I definitely dont have
the experience I need yet and will be paddling and practicing a lot in the next few years.
And as for everyone saying just go for it, the reason I am waiting is school. I have school paid for right now and the second I graduate I am going
off the grid for this trip. I want to bail out now but I would lose the full ride. It sucks being responsible.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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Check this out:
http://youtu.be/XHQGUbMSPTM
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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The Sea of Cortez has taken many experienced kayak'ers out to sea. Happens a lot in fact. During one of Graham Mackintosh trips he was preparing
for.....he writes about a group out of the Bay of Los Angeles that never came back.......
Please know what you are doing ...from lots of experience!
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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Bob53
Senior Nomad
Posts: 661
Registered: 2-24-2014
Location: Fallbrook, CA & Bahia de los Angeles
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Well, if you are around Bahia de los Angeles during your trip while I'm there, you are welcome to stop by for a nice hot meal and a place to crash.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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How about one run south on SOC and truck back up and take a second run the pacific!
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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Have never heard of "desalinization kit". IMO, the only thing that works is a desalinator PUR - aka Katadyn. Though you will need it less than you
think (if at all), if you carry some water. One 10L Dromedary bag should suffice for 3-4 days if your food regimen is proper. Eating mostly fish
that you catch - good luck with that during 5-6 days storm. At least one week supply of food is a must. Check forum Watertribe for some tips. They are doing annual marathons in Florida, but many things are common. Like carts, stoves, etc. I think right now they
are busy discussing the last marathon, so maybe later when they'll calm down.
Yes, Kruger Seawind would be a good boat for a trip that long. Pacific Action sail - 1 m size - is a must on the South-bound leg. Again, Watertribe
folks will tell you a lot about Sea Wind, and cheaper equivalents (one US and one Candian, forgot the names), and Pacific Action.
I hope you have some experience in packing for multiday trips, but surfboard doesn't sound realistic in a kayak in this kind of trip. Even in Kruger
it would be difficult. Another problem is that surf-able beaches are a nightmare for landing and launching a heavily loaded expedition kayak. I don't
know what is your idea of traveling super-light, but trust me, your kayak will be heavy. Tent, Thermarest, sleeping bag, food, clothes, kitchen,
fishing gear - this is a lot. Desalinator alone weighs 7-8 pounds, model 35, and I would shoot myself if I had to pump model 06 daily, for 8 months.
On the Cortez side the wilderness is mostly between San Felipe and Loreto. The stretch from La Paz to Cabo is heavily developed, not too many places
to camp under the stars.
[Edited on 3-12-2014 by Alm]
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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The BOLA area HAS taken several kayakers as well as small boat owners because of the rip currents, unpredictable tides, etc.
Just keep in mind...the Sea Of Cortez does not have a tide per se, it is actually a large swell that comes up from the Pacific, and recedes after it
hits the north end of the SOC.
STUDY a tide calendar for the time you will travel, and plan on kayaking through BOLA during a slack-tide time. That is a time when there is the least
amount of fluctuation between high and low tides.
| Quote: | Originally posted by mcfez
The Sea of Cortez has taken many experienced kayak'ers out to sea. Happens a lot in fact. During one of Graham Mackintosh trips he was preparing
for.....he writes about a group out of the Bay of Los Angeles that never came back.......
Please know what you are doing ...from lots of experience! |
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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It's not as easy as it sounds!
When headed north from Mexico, you WILL encounter the US Coastguard, USCBP, and the USDA. Plan on spending some time in customs and being searched and
investigated.
When preparing for the trip, plan on notifying the US and Mexico Coast Guards of your plans. Keep in touch by VHF.
| Quote: | Originally posted by LukeJobbins
... just cruise into SD(home). |
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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I am glad Nomads have offered a lot of sage advice. The collective experience can highlight issues, concerns, and solutions.
When we hear of such grandiose adventures, there is often a lot of encouragement to "Go for it...", and some cautious warnings about the doubt of the
project's feasibility (unfortunately categorized at times as being "a negative hater").
I love a good adventure and have had a few....kayaking Espiritu Santu for 10 days self-contained trip in 1989 introduced me to Baja...motorcycles have
been my conveyance of choice since.
In 1989 I thought bicycling down Baja would be a great idea....I know better now.
Running around the cliffs on Espiritu seemed like a good idea at the time....until my sister (experienced Baja guide) pointed out the risk of injury
and the complications it set up if I broke a limb. I thought she was a party-pooper at first, but have since developed much more respect for the
notion of good risk management thinking.
I would like to think Nomads can voice their opinions and concerns regarding some newbie adventurers seeking advice without being shat upon for being
"negative".
I wish this fellow well....and if he is still into it when he finishes college (remember how dreams change in that life-stage?), he will have had
enough time to plan and realistically prepare for the undertaking. And no matter how well we plan, some chit always comes up that we hadn't
anticipated that can derail things.
So, Go For It.....and be smart about it.
Buena suerte, amigo.
Don't believe everything you think....
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
I would like to think Nomads can voice their opinions and concerns regarding some newbie adventurers seeking advice without being shat upon for being
"negative". |
Well, he is a newbie on the forum but he says "Baja traveler", whatever it means... There are travelers that won't go anywhere without their 4WD and
even then they would need a hotel and restaurant on every night stop because don't know how (or not willing) to sleep in a car or in a tent, and make
a simple meal on a portable stove.
I agree with what Udo said about kayaking all the way to SD. Yes, US Coast Guard will likely stop and question him. He will run into problems around
Cabo - not much place to land and to camp. And he will run into similar problems North of Ensenada, with beaches not accessible either because it's a
seawall rather than a beach, or because it's all developed. I haven't kayaked between Ensenada and SD, but when I look at the shoreline when passing
by, I'm having a lot of doubt.
Most multiday trips, being it a group of novices with a guide and a boat carrying all their "stuff", or a lone sea dog - start at San Felipe and end
in La Paz (guided groups usually do very short trips, not covering the entire stretch from SF to LP). And then there are intermittent routes along the
lagoons on the Pacific side. Fewer kayakers travel on the Pacific (other than traversing the lagoons), the surf is the first reason that comes to my
mind - it makes difficult to land and launch. And when they do travel Pacific, they go Southwards, not Northwards, due to prevailing winds.
[Edited on 3-14-2014 by Alm]
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bajalinda
Senior Nomad
Posts: 552
Registered: 6-7-2008
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
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As mtgoat666 mentioned, Abraham Levy is a Mexican guy who kayaked solo the entire Mexican coast in 2008. You can check out his website at www.abrahamlevy.com and contact him through the website (looks like he's planning to cross the Atlantic next in a specially designed rowing
boat/kayak!). But back to Baja....he stayed with us here at La Aguja for 3 or 4 days resting up. He had already kayaked the Caribbean side, then
flew to TJ and continued on the Pacific side paddling south to Cabo then up the Sea of Cortez. I don't think he had a SPOT locator, but did have a
satellite phone and several other electronic gizmos (camera, etc.)
I'm going to try my first attempt at posting a photo here - so if it works, here is a photo of Abraham leaving La Aguja/Playas Pacificas.
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LukeJobbins
Nomad
Posts: 196
Registered: 3-11-2014
Location: Lemoore, Ca
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Lets give a little background for all the people who doubt me or think I might not be able to do this for whatever reason. I am 25 years old. I am an
avid runner, completed a half triathlon with no training, did the military thing for 4 years and now am going to college to mostly learn and expand my
knowledge but also to get that coveted piece of paper society wants you to have to get a job. I have been traveling to and camping in baja since I
was 5 years old. I have camped on islands in BOLA for a week at a time, I have camped and surfed all over the pacific side, and I have played water
polo, and have surfed for as long as I remember. I am well aware of the troubles and trials of getting through surf, I know how to swim and know
about tides and currents better than most people. I have a grasp on never give up and do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to complete the
task. I hope this doesn't come out like I am stuck up or c-cky because I am not, I am just confident in my ability knowledge-wise and physically-wise
to handle anything life has to throw at me.
I used to live in the SD area and now reside in central california. I have travelled all over the world, and I have come to love nature and the
outdoors and still love surfing so I can't go too far from the ocean, but I hate the crowded work 9-5 commute to work area of society that most people
have bought into in the US. I know I face the reality of most likely having to conform to this idea at some point to support myself and others in the
expensive overcrowded california, but while I am young and after college before I accept those responsibilities I plan on living out my dream of going
into the wild of baja on a long trip to explore and get lost in nature and baja and away from society for a while.
With that being said, I am very grateful to everyone who has expressed concern for my safety and trip and I thank everyone that has given their advice
and suggestions wether first-hand or recommended reading. Please keep it coming.
-Luke
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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Get outta the traffic... pack up and head south soon. You have everything you need. Attitude and ability. Just a thought --- 
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
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| Quote: | [qu
On the Cortez side the wilderness is mostly between San Felipe and Loreto. The stretch from La Paz to Cabo is heavily developed, not too many places
to camp under the stars. |
I beg to differ on the above. Plenty, plenty places to camp along the east cape all the way south to San Jose del Cabo. Piece of cake.
The west side will be the most interesting for a surfer. And for crying out loud, DO take your board. So many points to pull in behind and get some
nice rides. If it were me, I'd figure out a good way to lash the shortest board I could ride to the deck. Small boards weigh very little. Everything
else would go inside since when you do turn over you want it all in there intact. Think worst case scenario like getting rolled on the way into the
beach. How much stuff will you loose? Bulkheads might be nice for storage, and of course dry bags etc.
You can handle yourself in the surf, but the boat's going to weigh a ton with some water in it. I'd practice some sketchy landings fully loaded
somewhere in San Diego before heading to parts unknown.
Keep researching. It will keep you sane as you finish your studies. Keep the dream alive. Don't get some gal knocked up. Keep your options open. Do
it.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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SlyOnce
Nomad
Posts: 262
Registered: 12-26-2013
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I think a really good idea would be to get someone to follow you. Perhaps in a sailboat, or on land. Or at least line up some nomads with
houses/camps along the way where you can rest up and get supplies, repairs.
I am a sailor. Coming back up the pacific side in a sailboat is a serious undertaking. You have to do it at the correct time of year, and you have
to plan being wind and weather bound in places like Bahia Magdelena, Abre Ojos, Turtle Bay, Cedros Island sometimes for days or even weeks.
I have a kayak but for going ashore. I am curious how far you can paddle per day against a 15 to 20 knot wind, 5 or 6 foot swell, and contrary 1.5 to
2 knot current. And that is a good day on the Pacific side for going North.
I have rounded Punto Falso and sailed North and did so by hugging the beach and tacking out, then in, and it took 24 hours to make 40 miles north on a
good day. Sailors call it the "bust out zone".
[Edited on 3-18-2014 by SlyOnce]
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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Luke, it wasn't any safety concerns. It's more a logistics, planning, preparing, and the "return" on your time and efforts in terms of fun. Paddling
some stretches makes very little sense to me, there is no wilderness and land-able places are few. But if the purpose is to make a complete loop, by
all means try it. Just be prepared. What sailor said about paddling from Cabo to North, agrees with my experience.
As to the desalinating, again I have to say that Katadyn model 35 is THE only thing that works. It takes one hour a day to make a daily supply of
water though, one hour of boring non-stop pumping. It's probably easier to carry 2*10L Drom bags.
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gringorio
Senior Nomad
Posts: 812
Registered: 4-10-2004
Location: Tucson, Arizona
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Hey Luke,
I'm another that says go for it! Go the direction that most intrigues you... I'll echo the safety: Be prepared before you leave, with beach
launches and landings, take a personal EPIRB and/or Spot, have hand-held flares in your life vest, a whistle too, buy a waterproof VHF and keep it
tethered to you when on the water... You can U2U for more details.
The other thing about the Pacific side, and you may know this, is that there are long stretches of steep beachs which can make it really difficult to
land or launch when the waves are up.
In general, make good choices about when to paddle and when to get off the water. Poor decisions can lead to really bad outcomes.
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
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Have to admit, I also would not recommend kayaking north on the Pacific. I too have sailed a small boat from Cabo to San Diego. Eleven days of
motoring into the wind, swell and current. No fun at all. I and the other crew member plotted murdering the captain in his sleep, throwing him
overboard and driving the boat onto the beach. Then taking a bus home. "Gosh, he must have fallen overboard on his watch. We woke up and we were on
the sand!"
Just go down one side, get a ride back up and go down the other side. And you can leave your surfboard home on the journey down the Cortez.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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