Destination: Cabo - The Long Way

[wavster]

Dang! If only I knew where that place was...

How's the bite there?

[drunkentiger765]

damn and I thought my 20 mile trip was fun.



was your 33 mile trip La Jolla to Point Loma and back?

[JoeBeck]

WOW! Sounds like an epic adventure Hope it all goes well! Have you thought about paddling back via Sea of Cortes, you could arrange a pickup at Puerto Penasco when all done. That way you get to experience what all of Baja California fishing has to offer.

I bet you find some amazing camp spots on this journey along with many, many days of wide open fishing.

[jimbo]

Hey Dave,
Would be nice if you get one of those SPOT satellite tracking and communication devices.
I'm usually south boat fishing in summer. I'll be happy to bring some supplies. Stay in touch. I sent a PM too.
Jim

[walrus]

What a dream, God's speed. When you get back, maybe you'll do a public talk/slide show presentation somewhere? (maybe OEX would set you up).

If you do, I'll be there with a thousand questions. I already want to know more.

[wavster]

drunkentiger: yes. I paddled to Pt. Loma not last Saturday, but
the Saturday before. wind was light and the paddle wasn't
bad. Trolled a swimbait and threw an iron at some areas that
looked promising. No bites, but took 11 hours for that paddle.
Definitely needed the rudder, which I installed the next day.

JoeBeck: It's all about time and money. While I considered doing the
Cortez side, I wanted to try the Pacific side first. Circumnavigating
the entire peninsula would be quite the trek, though.

SPOT: regarding the SPOT messenger, I've had several conversations with
Spot and DeLorme regarding a new product, though it may not be
ready by the time I leave. Either way, I'll have the Spot so others can
track my progress. Does anyone have any insight as to how well that
actually works? I've read the info on their site, but in reality, what's
the feedback? I'd be curious to know.

Radio recommendation: I'm still researching the best (affordable) radio
for use on a kayak. Given that my range will be limited, any insight into
a quality, floating radio for weather and communication with other boats
would be great. I've done a ton of research, but again, I'm looking for
practical experience. Any input is appreciated. Also, what's the most
common channel used in Baja by Americans?

Dave

[miguelitro]

I am pretty sure that most fishing villages in baja have a few people who monitor VHF or whatever it is that most fishing boats use, as far as what channel i assume it varies.

[kareem korn]

Have fun brutha. You know your abilities. Trust your instincts and it will be something for you to remember for the rest of your life.

[MalibuJohnny]

Since that little girl (sorry 16 year old) fell short on her trip I think Shoe City might have a few miles left on their sponsorship, maybe they have a few bucks to offer?

[dsafety]

Ok, someone has to ask. Where the hell do you plan to sleep and eat? Baja can be great but sometimes the natives do not welcome strangers with open arms.

Camping on a beach that may be in the middle of some drug trafficker's turf could be interesting. I know of several people who have been robbed and the women raped while on an innocent camping trip in the wilds of Baja. I have heard stories of people being shot for no apparent reason. One of my son's friends was killed and dismembered for being in the wrong place a the wrong time somewhere south of Tijuana.

If you pull into some village for a little R&R, how do you plan to secure your yak and all the gear while you are on the beach? You will have to sleep sometime.

From my prospective it looks like you will be trolling for trouble for most of this trip. Am I missing something?

I wish you the best but fear for the worst.

Bob

[tattuna]

Originally Posted by dsafety

From my prospective it looks like you will be trolling for trouble for most of this trip. Am I missing something?

I wish you the best but fear for the worst.

Bob

I'm guessing the only thing you are missing is experience in Baja. South of Ensenada your worries with cartels drop dramatically. Bad things with locals can happen, but aren't very likely. I would guess his biggest concerns would be dealing with weather conditions and and getting help if need be.

[dsafety]

Originally Posted by tattuna

I'm guessing the only thing you are missing is experience in Baja. South of Ensenada your worries with cartels drop dramatically. Bad things with locals can happen, but aren't very likely. I would guess his biggest concerns would be dealing with weather conditions and and getting help if need be.

Tattuna, you are correct when you say that I do not have much experience in Baja. Years ago on Cinco de Mayo, I was thrown into the Encinada jail for being Anglo and looking like I could come up with the bail money. I was simply standing in line to get into Husongs and had not even tasted my first beer. That was enough for me.

The experience was brutal and has forever colored my opinion about the value and wisdom of visiting Northern Mexico. I am sure that just as those of us who have gained experience fishing from yaks in the ocean seldom have problems, people who regularly travel in Baja have learned how to stay out of trouble. On the other hand, if I could ask my two friends who died on trips to this region, (one in a car accident, the other murdered), if they would recommend the trip, the answers would probably be to use extreme caution.

Bob

[Holy Mackerel]

Originally Posted by wavster

SPOT: regarding the SPOT messenger, I've had several conversations with Spot and DeLorme regarding a new product, though it may not be ready by the time I leave.

What product are they coming out with? One problem I have with SPOT, is the inability to confirm if messages were recieved. I hope they come up with some simple Satellite text messaging system, I'd buy one in a heartbeat for offshore.

Where are you launching from LJ, or IB?

Goodluck, it will interesting to watch this voyage.

[Riskey Water]

Going Solo is rightious,but leaves you vulnerable.As they say "Safty in Numbers" I did your trip 8 years ago solo and avoided all unneccesary contact with locals other than the occassional need for supplies.I lived in Mex for 6 years prior to my trip, just north of Baja Mar so my spanish was fare .Camping involved being loooow profile,landing at sunset leaving at sunrise,no fires to draw attention to yourself at night,I felt that was an invitation to trouble. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A TRAVEL VISA and PASSPORT .These times can be enlightening to find out who you really are in the solitude. You may come across people sailing moored in coves ,say Howdy and they might invite onboard for a coctail or the night for a restful sleep. Good Luck and Godspeed

[wavster]

Bob, I appreciate your concerns. I've been to Baja so many times
over the past 25 years, I couldn't count them all. There are definitely
risks, which I plan to minimize as much as possible. I don't plan on
living my life so scared of what could happen that I don't live.

There are areas in San Diego that I wouldn't want to go through at
any time of the day. I don't think any country or city is any different.
I do hope that I don't run into any trouble and I certainly won't be
"trolling" for any.

As Charles pointed out, my main concern is water. Not having enough
drinking water, having too much salty stuff in my kayak, large surf,
driving rains from hurricanes, etc. Water is my biggest ally and biggest
foe for this expedition.

Riskey: If you have any insight, PM me and I'd love to hear it. Did you
kayak the entire length of Baja? How long did it take you? What were
you paddling?

Arriving and departing under the radar is definitely part of the plan. I won't
be cruising through town looking for bars, babes, or beer...

Speaking of beer, Stone Brewing has informed me that they would
supply me with cases of beer for this journey. I just need chase
vehicles to supply me. If anyone is heading South and would like to
participate, PM me and we can talk details. Naturally, there's beer
in it for anyone who helps.

Chris: Spot and DeLorme are partnering up with the Earthmate PN-60w
which is a satellite based text communicator. Its due out in July,
but may not be available before I leave. They are working on getting
me an eval or beta unit for my trip, but may not have it. It looks sweet!

Again, anyone with insight or contacts in Baja they'd like to share, PM me.
This trip is going to be extremely difficult under the best conditions
and I'm sure that I'll require help many times along the way. Specifically,
I'm looking for resupply depots along my route and have made many
contacts so far, but could use more. I'm not looking for freebies, I
intend to pay for everything, but accessibility could be the big problem.

[dorado50]

If I liked stoneale beer I'd be all over that.. For the doubters,Dave has more determination and drive than necessary for this trip. To Mr. BOB,take risks not to escape life but to prevent life from escapeing.

[Dan]

Good luck on this trip. The challenges and rewards will make this a great adventure. Get a round of a broad spectrum antibiotics. Cipro should cover you from food poisoning to an infected wound.

[Thresher_Cowboy]

Dumb idea and irresponsible. I don't expect you to come back but I just hope you don't give anybody else the same idea. If somebody needs to explain to you why this is a stupid idea maybe you should go ahead and go for it....

[wavster]

Originally Posted by Thresher_Cowboy

Dumb idea and irresponsible. I don'texpect you to come back but I just hope you don't give anybody else
the same idea. If somebody needs to explain to you why this is a stupid idea maybe you should go ahead and go for it....

I'm guessing you're not much of a cowboy...

I choose to live life, not watch it from the sidelines. Anyone
who thinks this was a spur of the moment idea has got it wrong.

I would advise against anyone attempting this without
thorough planning and endurance training.

I've done a lot of research and preparation. There are many
things you can't control, only prepare for. I've done what I can
and I continue to work at increasing my odds of success
by continued preparation and education.

Additionally, you have to know your limits and know when to call
it quits. I've prepared several contingency plans for various scenarios.
If I last two days and decide its not for me, then I'll be disappointed,
but I'll know that at least I gave it a shot.

...but, if I make it the entire way, I'll have had an incredible journey
and memories that can never be taken away from me. Life was not
meant to be lived in an 8x8 cubicle. Think about how you want to
spend your life. This is how I choose to spend mine.

"We choose to do these things not because they are easy, but
because they are hard" - John F. Kennedy

[j mo]

Get busy living or get busy dying....

No need for insults, he asked for constructive criticism, not a bunch of bs advice like "don’t do it....you will die"


Personally, I think it’s awesome when people push conventional wisdom and their own boundaries in the name of adventure and personal freedom. So I’m stoked for you.


You must have a general idea of where you’re going to be camping based on your estimated miles paddled? I know of some great spots between here and geurrero negro to stay, some of which you won’t see a soul and you’ll be plucking lobsters from the rocks at low tide. Pm when you have your itinerary and I will try to help you....


Why aren’t you doing this in a hobie? You would have the benefit of both leg and paddle?


Also Id plan two, maybe three itineraries. One based on your target miles to be covered and the other considerably shorter maybe half. There will be a portion of your journey that will be high cliffs and beach access could be difficult and you will want to be high and dry...

Can you list the contents of your first aide kit for suggestions on additions and deletions?

Best