|
With our early end to the previous day because of the strong wind, our planned short seven mile day from Isla Coronado into Loreto was now a sixteen mile day. From our map, the shore south of Boca San Bruno looked unforgiving for the first nine miles. With all the extra difficulties of this day, we planned a very early start. Julio woke everyone at 4:30 AM. We got up and packed in the light of the half moon and were mostly packed and ready to go as the sun came up. |
|
A hot dry west wind blew down the arroyo and over the beach. We had heard that west winds often died out as the day progressed. But that was not the case this day. We got on the water and started along the coast. The wind blew hard, gusting to 40 knots. We stayed close against the shore hoping to avoid the wind in the protection of the tall cliffs. But the wind seemed to find us there anyway and Rick thought that the winds were even stronger close to the shore than they were further out. They swirled around coming from the side, from behind, from ahead, all at varying strengths |
We looked for a place to stop after paddling the nine miles down to the point opposite Isla Coronado. There were few places to land and those that were possible were covered in rock. The surge running in on the rocks made getting out of the fiberglass kayaks a difficult proposition. We kept paddling.
The mainland juts out in a point toward Isla Coronado which has its own long cape pointing back. The bottom also rises to less than 30 feet deep from 500 feet. As a result waves and current funnel through the 2 mile wide separation to the island. We could see the waves breaking across a wide section of the opening to Loreto Bay. We found a narrow chute close to the west end near the shore where these waves were not breaking much. I, along with Bob, took the first shot at the opening. Bob got a little close and a wave threw his bow across the front of my cockpit. I grabbed his bow and ducked under the nose of his kayak and shot through the rest of the slot. Everyone else followed without incident.
|
We continued paddling along the shore looking for a place to land. Someone was building a new bar way out on this point miles from anywhere. It looked like an unlikely place for a successful business. We paddled around another point into full view of Loreto. There we stopped for lunch on a cobblestone beach. The wind had moved to being behind an hour ago, so the beach was protected. |
|
With renewed vigor we loaded up for the final run back to Loreto. We passed a single paddler on a sit on top and a young child in his lap. No water, no PFD, no hat for the kid. We said something to him about being careful and how the water was cold. He had no clue and showed no interest in our advice.
We rode the small waves back to Loreto. Julio, whose boat was lighter than the rest of ours, was able to get some surfing in and got well ahead of the rest of us. We came into the shallow sand beach in front of hotel. With my rudder up I broached and side surfed into the beach. |
|
We waded through the shallow water and pulled up our kayaks onto the beach in front of the hotel. We carried our gear across the wide beach to the fresh water hose provided by the hotel for washing off. We piled all the gear together and washed it off being as sparing of the water as possible in this desert environment. At least the run-off water would be used by the palms and plants near the spigot. |
The portion of our trip from Bahia Conception to Loreto was over, but not the trip. Tomorrow we had dedicated to a land adventure or rest day. Then it was back out for another couple days for Rick and me, while Julio and Bob were going out with us for a day paddle before returning to work. Harding was going to stay in Loreto and check out the local scene.
It had been a good, safe and fun adventure. I am sure everyone will be back as soon as possible to enjoy another Baja adventure. Perhaps Los Cinqo Magnifico will ride again!
On to Day 7....
| |
|---|
MX - Sea of Cortez - 2006/03/15 to 2006/03/30 - Loreto - Day 08
| The Sierra Giganta of the Baja peninsula form a spectacular backdrop to the azure Sea of Cortez from Danzante Island. We continue our trip with a day paddle for Julio and Bob and the start of the second part of our Mexican adventure for Rick and Hank.
|
MX - Sea of Cortez - 2006/03/15 to 2006/03/30 - Bahia Conception to Loreto - Day 04
| Our kayak trip continues from San Nicolas, past El Pulpito to the beautiful bay at San Juanico.
|
MX - Sea of Cortez - 2006/03/15 to 2006/03/30 - Loreto - Day 10
| Another calm day for our paddle back to Isla Danzante and then down to Candelero Chico where we spend the afternoon relaxing with snorkeling and playing in the shore rocks.
|
MX - Sea of Cortez - 2006/03/15 to 2006/03/30 - Bahia Conception to Loreto - Day 06
| Leaving our wind refuge at Boca San Bruno, a strong west wind keeps us tight against the shore as we paddle back to Loreto.
|
MX - Sea of Cortez - 2006/03/15 to 2006/03/30 - Loreto - Day 09
| From Isla Danzante, a short crossing brings us to Isla Carmen where we play tag with fin whales, 80 foot monsters of the Canal de Ballenas.
|
MX - Sea of Cortez - 2006/03/15 to 2006/03/30 - Bahia Conception to Loreto - Day 01 - 18 miles
| Launching from Playa Freson, we paddle up Bahia Conception, stopping at Isla Blanca. We arrive just short of our intended destination, Punta Conception.
|
MX - Sea of Cortez - 2006/03/15 to 2006/03/30 - Loreto - Day 07
| A rest day between trip legs allows a land trip to Mission San Xavier in the mountains west of Loreto.
|
MX - Sea of Cortez - 2006/03/15 to 2006/03/30 - Bahia Conception to Loreto - Day 02
| Leaving the shallow waters of Bahia Conception, we round Punta Conception, paddle into the Sea of Cortez and head south along the coast .
|
MX - Sea of Cortez - 2006/03/15 to 2006/03/30 - Bahia Conception to Loreto - Day 03
| Fair winds provide and opportunity to try out my sail. We end the windy day high atop a sand dune.
|
MX - Sea of Cortez - 2006/03/15 to 2006/03/30 - Loreto - Day 11
| From Candelero Chico we paddled 24 miles back to Loreto. The first half of the trip was flat calm. In the second half, a little tail wind makes the long mileage bearable.
|
MX - Sea of Cortez - 2006/03/15 to 2006/03/30 - Bahia Conception to Loreto - Day 05
| Leaving San Juanico, the wind picks up to 20 to 25 knots ( Force 5) and we have a roller coaster ride down to San Bruno where problems with our chart leads to some interesting developments.
|
|