Destination: Cabo - The Long Way

[wavster]

Well, after 2 years of thinking about it and some serious planning
I've committed to an expedition that I expect will change my life:
paddling solo from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, a nearly 1,100 mile trek.

My plan is to paddle my Trident 15 from San Diego and hit every great
fishing spot along the way. I've done a lot of research, made some test
runs, spoke to others who have sailed it, and have done of my homework.
This trip will not be easy, but I expect to encounter a lot of great fishing.

I have several reasons for making this trip, including documenting the
status of the oceans and fisheries along the way. I've got several cameras
mounted on my kayak as well as hand helds. Hopefully, I'll get some great
footage along the way, which I'll share when I return.

I've got some great sponsors, including Surf to Summit, Werner Paddles,
and my personal favorite, Stone Brewing Company. They've agreed to
supply me with all the IPA I want along my route.

I'll be posting more before I go but, if anyone has any constructive
comments, connections in Baja they could share, or would like to help by
helping me resupply along the way (driving or on a boat), that would be
great. I expect the trip to take between 45-60 days, so if anyone is
heading south during July and August, the timing might coincide.

If you want to learn more about the trip, you can find it here:
http://wavster.blogspot.com.

Wish me luck.
Dave

[steveooo]

Dave, That sounds hard core! Should be an epic journey. I look forward to the reports and probably reading the book that I'm sure is already in the works :cheers1:
Good Luck:you_rock:

[old_rookie]

Incredible!! This is awesome. I'd like to see some pics of your rig, and I'm sure there will be pics of you starting off on your adventure. I'll be monitoring your site for updates (using www.changedetection.com). Will you be doing updates along the way? They simplest way I can suggest is cell phone texts, but that would mean using one of the social network sites - Facebook - not sure about the others. Just a thought. Besides, I don't think there is much cell reception along the way.

Good luck Dave. I'd say this can go on your bucket list.

[wade]

Pure insanity and I'm lovin every word of it!:cheers1:
Can barely wait to hear & see more of this!!
You should see if Depends wants to sponsor this adventure as well..:biggrinjester:

May you lock onto a nice Mexican taxi early on, who will hopefully shave eighteen kilometers off this trip in the right direction!:sifone:

GOOD LUCK!

[DESTROYER]

Be Safe Dave! God Speed!:cheers1:

[T-Rex]

Wow...should be an awesome trip! I've sailed to Cabo and back a couple of times and each trip was memorable.

One suggestion would be to bring a marine SSB transceiver or radio so you can get long range weather forecasts. July and August always have the chance of a hurricane.

Good luck on an adventure of a lifetime!!!

[miguelitro]

"In this age of laboratory science, I applaud those who set off to discover first hand."
M. Candra

[wbrewski]

may the fish gods be with you:reeling:

[the dude]

I'm sure the question we're all wondering is 'how the heck are you gonna keep all that beer cold?'

Good luck dude, hope it's a fishy trip for you. Look forward to the pics.

[TCS]

Godspeed Dave. That's a a true adventure.

In terms of a baja network, I would suggest that you post you journey on BajaNomad.com. They have a tight network of old baja hands who can provide a lot of support.

[h2ofishfo]

hardcore!!may u have a sweet seat to keep your back in tact & arms of a god!!!!:you_rock:i wanna see some great pics

[tattuna]

You're a brave and ambitious man...I like that! I've never met you, but I'd like to offer any support I can. My only Pacific side of Baja connect is in Erendira. I can put you in touch with some fisherman that are (3 generations) native to the area if need be. PM me for details, I'd be happy to help. Best of luck and safety to you :cheers1:

[T Bone]

we all know IPA sucks when it gets over 50 deg.

Good luck.Interested in how you plan on resting,camping ,showering, sleeping etc.

How many miles you cover per day will depend on 2 factors I am sure,weather and fishing.Dont let yourself run out of fresh water and hopefully you habla espaniol a little....:you_rock:

[Billy V]

My advice is to not cut any corners on safety gear.
I'd like to hear what you will be carrying on the kayak.

SAT Phone, EPIRB, offshore life jacket, good laser flashlight, water, salt tablets, potassium, Bullfrog with titanium dioxide, etc.

Good Luck - be safe.

[GregAndrew]

Sounds like a lot of fun. Might want to contact a couple of the San Diego Sportfishing landings for sponsorship. That time of year there will be boats down there virtually every day which could supply you. You would have to figure an angle that is good for them though.

[rdahl]

Good luck to you. I don't envy all the surf launches and landings. I assume you have read the book titled "We Survived Yesterday". If not, it is a must read for a trip like this. How long are you planning to take for the trip? I suggest you take a sail kite or something like that as I expect you will have many hours with a 10 plus knot wind behind you. I strongly suggest you get set up with a rudder too if you don't already have one.

Rick

[Mo Betta]

Hi Dave,

My boys and I are southbound July 27 +/- for the East Cape. We will be Northbound August 5-6. I will be in a F350 CC LB 4x4. Just thought I would toss it out there.....PM me for my digits, cell works in Baja

Bahia Ascuncion contact would be Shari @ http://bajabnb.com/php/ They are right out on the point, good people.

Frank

[j mo]

I’m sure you have read the book "We Survived Yesterday: Kayaking from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas"
<O:p
Editorial Reviews<O:p
Product Description<O:p
Detached from civilization in double kayaks, paddling nine hours a day for 34 days straight, this 1200 mile voyage from San Diego, California to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico was a true man against nature adventure. The rough water and rocky coastline had been anticipated, but the rats, mice, ants, crabs, coyotes, mosquitoes and wild pigs that either ate our food, stole our gear or tried to sleep in our sleeping bags with us we had not anticipated. We learned that the human mind and spirit can endure, create, and problem solve better than we ever imagined. <O:p<O:p

I also think that there was another two man team that did this last year out of cbad /Oceanside to raise awareness for cancer, but I never followed up on the story. I’m sure if you haven’t already; you could get a hold of these two and get their thoughts...<O:p
<O:p
Too bad you can’t take a board. You are going to pass some world class spots and some super secret places accessible only by 8 hour jaw breaking washboard roads or boat....


Can you list your potential stops/campsites?
<O:p
Good luck<O:p

[wavster]

Thank you all for the advice and the offers of contacts. I contacted Shari
Bondi in Asuncion last week and she's already hooked me up with a couple
of contacts. She's definitely good people. If you fish Asuncion, stay with
them.

I did speak to the guys from Carlsbad about their trip. They only made it
5 days and called it quits after hitting 20ft+ surf out at Todos Santos.
Bob Wilson (the main guy) was very nice and offered some advice.
Still trying to figure out why they went out there. Maybe to set a surfing
XXL record. :)

I am definitely taking my 6'2". Are you kidding me? The surf is going to be
great at so many places, there's no way I could pass it up. I've already
figured out how to transport the board and took it on my 33 mile paddle
last weekend, but the new rudder has put a small kink in that setup. Back
to the drawing board, but definitely coming.

I'll post a photo of my rig once I get everything complete. I've had to make
some major adjustments and took a minimalistic approach.

Rudder has been added. I think it would be impossible without it.

As far as keeping the Stone cold, well, they told me that they would
provide me as much as I wanted for my support crew to bring to me, so
anyone who's up for the challenge, will have plenty of cases of Stone in
their truck. I would just need to know that a few bottles make it to me
every week. :)

[MalibuJohnny]

Stop off here in the way down...you got balls, you may need a few more of these! Good luck

http://www.vincentchow.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/25c-brain.jpg;)

[wavster]

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

How's the bite there? :D

[drunkentiger765]

damn and I thought my 20 mile trip was fun.
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s88/drunkentiger765/6_8_08.jpg


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

[JoeBeck]

WOW! Sounds like an epic adventure :cheers1::cheers1: 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. :cheers1:

[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? :rolleyes:

<O:p</O:p
http://www.abbysunderland.com/images/right-shoecity.jpg (http://www.shoecity.com/)

[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]

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]

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]

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.:p. 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.:doh:

[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]

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

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

[herefishyfishy!]

Dave, all I gotta say is "tienes grande juevos!" Go for it man! There will always be haters no matter what you do. I can't wait to read the book!

Evan

[sandydiego]

Will be sending positive thoughts your way on your journey.

How many in your chase crew do you have now?

Someone with a sailboat would be really key. You could stay on the water most of the time. Using the sail boat as a mother ship.

Post your safety/first aid gear list if you are willing.

Steve

[MalibuJohnny]

All kidding aside, Your trip will certinly be watched by many of us who wish we had the time or the balls to take on such a challange. Having said that I think this may be a solution to tired arms mid way...

Check this out http://www.pacificaction.com/

[Kirk]

That is going to be a serious adventure.

MY cousin gave me a book by a guy named Graham Mackintosh who walked down one side of the peninsula and back up the other side several years ago.

http://www.amazon.com/Into-Desert-Place-around-California/dp/0393312895/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

The book my cousin gave me was actually his second one where he walked down the middle of the peninsula to Loreto with a donkey. If the first one is anything like the second, he will have a lot of practical statements about how he did things, in addition to little exposes on Baja California history.

Good luck.

[stairman]

I love to see people with dreams but would suggest you do a trip out around sci and cat and back first....your gonna need to cross at about punta baja to punta eugenia to shorten the trip and that sci round trip is about the same distance.When and if you can stay in the yak that long and paddle that far then go for it.

[steamroll]

Dave,

Bring your kayak by OEX Oceanside and we'll install an electronic bilge pump system in your kayak FREE of charge.

Nate

[driftwood]

Dave, If the bad weather doesn't put a stop to your trip, Mr montezuma revenge will :bandit: Soon or later, your gonna have to drink water from the local towns.

You don't want monty paying you a visit in the middle of the ocean. Its tough paddling on your knees. Don't ask me how i know. Be safe and have fun!

[MalibuJohnny]

Dave, If the bad weather doesn't put a stop to your trip, Mr montezuma revenge will :bandit: Soon or later, your gonna have to drink water from the local towns.

You don't want monty paying you a visit in the middle of the ocean. Its tough paddling on your knees. Don't ask me how i know. Be safe and have fun!

I will buy the first box http://images-partners-tbn.google.com/images?q=tbn:RDbeMapR9UjEHM::www.curvasud.com/images/derbydelrecord/dicanio-imodium.jpg (http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/imageDetails?s_it=imageDetails&q=imodium&img=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.curvasud.com%2Fimages%2Fderby delrecord%2Fdicanio-imodium.jpg&host=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.curvasud.com%2Fderbydelrecor d.asp&width=122&height=124&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages-partners-tbn.google.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3ARDbeMapR9UjEHM %3A%3Awww.curvasud.com%2Fimages%2Fderbydelrecord%2 Fdicanio-imodium.jpg&b=image%3Fq%3Dimodium%26oreq%3D98893aa159424e4b9f1 6fb35b938dcff&imgHeight=402&imgWidth=396&imgTitle=dicanio+%3Cb%3EImodium%3C%2Fb%3E+-+da&imgSize=205911&hostName=www.curvasud.com):eek:

[mtnbykr2]

wow this sounds like a great adventure so long as the weather holds out
and you dont have any Abby Sunderland conditions, but I am sure that has been takin into consideration.
I will definately keep an eye on your progress, and I hope you catch all you can handle have a great and safe
trip, b.....:jig:

[TCS]

As I was driving home from work thinking what it would be like to bail for a few months on a pure adventure, it dawned be. Wasabi. take a tube of wasabi for the raw fish.

btw. Have you read The Old Man and the Sea?

[Tman]

Sounds like a blast, may Neptune reward you with a safe passage.

To the nay-sayers, the further you go into Mex, the better the hospitality. Some of my fondest memories of Mex were at Erindira and San Q, you make it that far, hit the fish camps and tell them what your plan is, you will be taken care of.

Wish I could join you, epic to say the least...Buenas suerte...

[Anthony179]

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



http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim//2010/06/15/Ethan_Esparza_2006murder_370x278.jpg Ethan Esparza (KCAL)

POMONA, Calif. (CBS/AP) After more than three years, the family of Ethan Esparza, the 3-year-old who was gunned down in front of his grandmother's home at his own birthday party, can rest a little easier knowing that police have finally made an arrest in the seemingly random tragedy.

<!--pagebreak-->
Ethan was playing in front of his grandmother's house in Pomona, Calif., about 30 miles east of Los Angeles, on the day before his fourth birthday, when five or six shots rang out, killing little Ethan and wounding a 16-year-old boy.

Police at the time believed it was gang-related and that two other men standing nearby were the intended targets.

Police finally made an arrest Wednesday, taking Pablo Adame into custody just moments after he was released from prison on an unrelated domestic violence case.

"He didn't deserve to die the way he did," Ethan's mother, Alma Torres Esparza told CBS affiliate KCAL at the time of the shooting. "He suffered before he left. He was fighting for his life."

A month after the shooting a $50,000 reward was offered under the Governor's Reward program.

Adame, who is being held on $4 million bail, is scheduled to be arraigned June 29.

<!-- body end -->



Sorry to hear what happened to the people you know. But the same thing that is happening in Mexico is happening out here. The difference is that in Mexico they are called Cartels and are fighting to control the drug industry. And in California they are called gangs. And they fight for drug turf and streets that they don't even own.

Good luck on trip Wavster. Can't wait to read about your trip when you get back.

[Thresher_Cowboy]

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim//2010/06/15/Ethan_Esparza_2006murder_370x278.jpg Ethan Esparza (KCAL)

POMONA, Calif. (CBS/AP) After more than three years, the family of Ethan Esparza, the 3-year-old who was gunned down in front of his grandmother's home at his own birthday party, can rest a little easier knowing that police have finally made an arrest in the seemingly random tragedy.

<!--pagebreak-->
Ethan was playing in front of his grandmother's house in Pomona, Calif., about 30 miles east of Los Angeles, on the day before his fourth birthday, when five or six shots rang out, killing little Ethan and wounding a 16-year-old boy.

Police at the time believed it was gang-related and that two other men standing nearby were the intended targets.

Police finally made an arrest Wednesday, taking Pablo Adame into custody just moments after he was released from prison on an unrelated domestic violence case.

"He didn't deserve to die the way he did," Ethan's mother, Alma Torres Esparza told CBS affiliate KCAL at the time of the shooting. "He suffered before he left. He was fighting for his life."

A month after the shooting a $50,000 reward was offered under the Governor's Reward program.

Adame, who is being held on $4 million bail, is scheduled to be arraigned June 29.

<!-- body end -->



Sorry to hear what happened to the people you know. But the same thing that is happening in Mexico is happening out here. The difference is that in Mexico they are called Cartels and are fighting to control the drug industry. And in California they are called gangs. And they fight for drug turf and streets that they don't even own.

Good luck on trip Wavster. Can't wait to read about your trip when you get back.

Sorry, don't buy it. When's the last time a group of fishermen were assaulted by locals on a trip to the sierras or big sur? Sure there's violent crime in the states, but Mexico is a completely different ball game. Fishermen, kayakers, surfers and tourists are ROUTINELY targeted in Mex, especially camping in remote wilderness areas. Not the case in the States.

[wavster]

My Baja tackle box

Here's what's in my tackle box so far for this trip:
http://www.yaktackle.com/images/blog/pix/BajaTackle.jpg

If anyone has any great suggestions for additional
tackle, that would be great (provided I have room). :)

[Siebler]

No rapalas dave?

[WahooUSMA]

<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CADEZFA%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5 Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 279.35pt 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:259;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> I've done a lot of crazy stuff in my life - dropped into some serious shit holes, some I thought I would not make it out, but had a ball. No regrets. I wish you the best of luck and I am certain your travels will touch us all in one way or another. I only wish I could go! If you land in San Quentin, stop in and say 'hey' to Kelly and Oscar at K & M. They will hook you up for the night. If you would want me to reach out to them, just let me know. I'll drop them a landline. Roger<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Vaya con Dios, Brah! <o:p></o:p>

[johnny7754]

Good luck with your trip! 99.5% of the most hardcore dedicated fisherman are not willing to take action and make this type of trip a reality in their lifetime. Your grandkids will have an awesome story to tell about you if you complete this journey.

Take plenty of pictures, get as much rest as possible and drink lots of water. Be safe and have a great time. This type of trip is what dreams are made of!

[Tman]

Hope that isn't the only knife you're taking with you, the one in the top left...an upgrade is in order, nice well honed dive blade and a bigger fillet knife as well and maybe a Hunter Honer to keep the blades sharp...:sifone:

[wavster]

No rapalas dave?

CJ: Center Top Right. I have 3 Rapalas, but 4 others I'm picking up
this week. Plus I have a couple of older ones that were camera
shy...

By the way, CJ, the top guide on my GraphTec jig stick is broken. What
would it cost to put on a new eye and how long would that take?
PM me and maybe we can get together. I have a Seeker rod
that I might use instead, but I like the Graphtec that I'm using
now.


Hope that isn't the only knife you're taking with you, the one in the top left...an upgrade is in order, nice well honed dive blade and a bigger fillet knife as well and maybe a Hunter Honer to keep the blades sharp...:sifone:

Tman: Haha. That would be sad if those were my only knives...I just
pulled out all the tackle I've been buying and laid it out and took
that pic spur of the moment.

Here are the knives I have now:

http://www.yaktackle.com/images/blog/pix/bajaknives.jpg

I do have a couple of sharpening tools with multiple stones,
including a ceramic stone for a razor sharp edge.
FYI, I filleted my last YT with the blue knife to see how it would perform.
It worked great.

[Jim Sammons LJKF]

I think there are some Rapalas in the top right.
Dave, Bring a pair of small bolt cutters or HEAVY cutting pliers, you need something that will easily cut those large hooks and Dykes won't do the trick. You may need to one handed cut a hook out of yourself.
Just thinking of the worst case scenario here. :jig::eek:
We also have a new tips video showing how to remove a hook without pushing it through. Should be ready this week, I will post it up when it is done.
Good Luck Dave

[wavster]

Wahoo - Thanks for the offer. I've known Capn. Kelly for a few years
and I've already made contact with him about this trip. He said
he'd love to help out, so I'm going to try and call him today.
His sons have always been helpful when I fish down there, as well.
Oscar even gave me a lift out to the point once with my kayak.

Kelly and his family are good people and definitely the ones
to charter if you want to fish SQ without a kayak. Actually,
they used to take kayaks on board(they had 2 Hobie Outbacks),
and fish San Martin, but I'm not sure if they still do that.
Kelly always puts people on fish and he's a top notch, stand up guy.

<link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CADEZFA%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5 Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 279.35pt 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:259;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> I've done a lot of crazy stuff in my life - dropped into some serious shit holes, some I thought I would not make it out, but had a ball. No regrets. I wish you the best of luck and I am certain your travels will touch us all in one way or another. I only wish I could go! If you land in San Quentin, stop in and say 'hey' to Kelly and Oscar at K & M. They will hook you up for the night. If you would want me to reach out to them, just let me know. I'll drop them a landline. Roger<o>:p></o>:p>
<o>:p> </o>:p>
Vaya con Dios, Brah! <o>:p></o>:p>

[Hunters Pa]

CJ: By the way, CJ, the top guide on my GraphTec jig stick is broken. What
would it cost to put on a new eye and how long would that take?
PM me and maybe we can get together. I have a Seeker rod
that I might use instead, but I like the Graphtec that I'm using
now.


.


If you were local (La Mirada,LA/OC border) I'd knock it out for you today at no cost, just BS while I find the right size guide

[dos ballenas]

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

Are you kidding me! Have you ever been to baja? Don't believe everything you read, or hear...

The locals I have met have all been the kindest, happiest, helpful people in the world.

Yes bad things do happen, but 99.99999% of the time if you don't go looking for trouble, trouble won't find you. Bad things happens to the people who are looking, or asking for it... there are lots of stories that get told about baja... most are not true.

:wsb:

[dos ballenas]

My Baja tackle box

Here's what's in my tackle box so far for this trip:
http://www.yaktackle.com/images/blog/pix/BajaTackle.jpg

If anyone has any great suggestions for additional
tackle, that would be great (provided I have room). :)

didn't you read the baja catch? where are your rebel fast tracs!

radio: any icom

channels: usually 16

local fish camp: most have radios

[wavster]

LOL. I read that book cover to cover. Lots of good info in there.
I do have a couple of Rebel FastTracs that I'm taking, but they
aren't new, so they too were camera shy...

[PAL]

Dave, I'm looking forward to the shot that shows your entire pile of gear, not just the hooks, lines and sinkers.

Kayak Kevin, the guy who paddled from Pensacola, around Florida, and up to the Chesapeake (1800 miles in 18 weeks) in 2005 just started a new trip of his own. This one is a shorty, a 'mere' 600 mile circumnavigation of the Chesapeake Bay. You can follow his trip here (http://kayakkevin.com/). Click the SPOT page (http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?&glId=07LFJVrmHWVrh9E3N86oakCW2vvVtyMhS)link for his track.

The bounds of this sport are definitely getting a hard push forward by those of an adventurous bent.

Forgot to add, the Baja Trailer Boater's Guide is more recent than The Baja Catch. If you haven't seen it, might be worth a look. You could contact the author Zack Thomas and ask him how much of the Pacific Coast he covers.

[WahooUSMA]

Kelly and his family are good people and definitely the ones
to charter if you want to fish SQ without a kayak. Actually,
they used to take kayaks on board(they had 2 Hobie Outbacks),
and fish San Martin, but I'm not sure if they still do that.
Kelly always puts people on fish and he's a top notch, stand up guy.

Yeah, they still take ya out...I think they even have a few Revo's now. Roeboat and I were there a few months ago. We are planning another trip soon. Man I envy you!

Roger

[Tman]

[QUOTE=wavster;59453]



Tman: Haha. That would be sad if those were my only knives...I just
pulled out all the tackle I've been buying and laid it out and took
that pic spur of the moment.

Here are the knives I have now:

http://www.yaktackle.com/images/blog/pix/bajaknives.jpg

I do have a couple of sharpening tools with multiple stones,
including a ceramic stone for a razor sharp edge.
FYI, I filleted my last YT with the blue knife to see how it would perform.
It worked great.[/QUOTE

Still think an upgrade would best serve you...kinda like this...

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/knives.jpg

1. Survival knife - complete with compass, stone, saw, fishing line (weak), small hooks, waterproof matches
2. Dive knife - 420 SS steel, thick blade, multi-purpose
3. Fillet knife - floats, with sheath, thin blade, easy to hone
4. Switchblade - Approved by our Military...:sifone:

[TCS]

Rebel Fastraks do not work in La Jolla, however they to work in Baja. At least that's been my experience. Plus, if you're trying to make time but go through a spot that looks fishy, it would be really easy to drop one of those behind the boat and keep going.

[MVC]

I would assume that you plan on running a fish finder the whole trip. How do you plan on keeping the battery charged. Do you plan on using some type of solar charger?

[wavster]

MVC: For power, I've got several solar panels. I'm amazed at how the
technology has changed and been optimized. These are soft
and use Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide technology, which is
supposedly the most efficient. It's also flexible, so its light and
durable. There are also grommets to secure it on deck. I have two
large 12V 12W panels that in full sun are putting out lots
of power. I've charged my 12v 8amH battery just fine with it.

I also have some smaller panels for charging my iPhone and iPod Touch.

Dave

[old_rookie]

When do you plan to 'set sail' and from where? If my calendar allows it, I'd like to be there to watch you paddle off. I checked your blogspot site but only found a 60 day countdown starting May 19th which makes it July 19th.

[WahooUSMA]

When do you plan to 'set sail' and from where? If my calendar allows it, I'd like to be there to watch you paddle off. I checked your blogspot site but only found a 60 day countdown starting May 19th which makes it July 19th.


Same here!

[wavster]

When do you plan to 'set sail' and from where? If my calendar allows it, I'd like to be there to watch you paddle off. I checked your blogspot site but only found a 60 day countdown starting May 19th which makes it July 19th.

My launch date is somewhere between July 16 and July 19 from Shelter Island
launch. I'd like to do it sooner than later, to avoid the heavier hurricane
month of September.

I'd like to leave a week earlier, but I'm going on vacation up in Mammoth first.

I will post a more definitive date as it gets closer.

PAL: still organizing my gear for that shot of all my stuff. It's a big pile, but
I imagine I'll have to trim it down a bit before I go. Need to make room
for more chocolate. :D

[Jimm H]

Dave:

The Spot Tracker works well, and is very effective, but it takes on average 10-20 minutes to guarantee a satellite hit.

Bring 2 radios (JIS7 submersible), not one. I suggest Standard Horizon or Icom, and one with a wrist strap in addition to a clip (loop the wrist strap around one of your PFd staps just in case it comes unclipped by accident.)

Fresh Water: one or two drops of bleach will clean up the water. Let it sit 10 or 20 minutes. a drop or two of lemon will cover up taste issues. How about a water filtration pump? The 1 micron filters really clean up the water. The British heated tea (and the Americans coffee) in WWII to cover the taste of iodine. You should take some of it as a back up to the other 2.

Taking a stove? How much fuel and what kind?

Good luck on your trip.

Jimm H

[umtduckhead]

check this company out. they have some pretty awesome equip. for "journeys" if you will..
http://store.goal0.com/#tab1

[CurtyL]

I think I have a new idol! Good luck. And Good :reel:

[lamb]

Dave, that is quite an undertaking, but I'm not surprised you're the one taking it on.

Sounds like you've been doing carefully planning, lots of handy input here.

Stay safe, we'll be closely following your adventure.
Congrats on your big Emmy win!!!! :cheers1:

[wavster]

Thanks again guys.

I'll be posting a link to my Spot page, once I get that set up. Again,
if anyone ends up in an area where I might be, It'll be good to see
a familiar face (or new one). Also, some fresh water would be good.

I'll be posting my itinerary in the next few days. I've been going through
it again and again, though I believe I might be a bit optimistic in my timing.

This weekend will most likely be my final testing of my gear and set ups.

Dave

[Dan]

i was thinking the other day....where are you going to spend the first night once you leave SD?

[Riskey Water]

Hey Dave ,there was a guy planning the California run but never produced.His site is www.pacifickayaker.com (http://www.pacifickayaker.com) you should give his gear list a once over, he's a paddling machine according to his bio ,Good Luck

[Riskey Water]

Missed a piece of code www.pacifickayaker.com/animals.htm (http://www.pacifickayaker.com/animals.htm) go to kayak and it will promt you to gear

[wavster]

Mike,

Thanks for the link. I checked it out and it compares to mine
with a couple of exceptions.

Finalizing the lists and testing the setup for the last time. New line
goes on the rods tonight.

Dave

[frugalfisher]

Good Luck!

Are you bringing wasabi and soy sauce? I'd love to see a school of YFT under my yak! I'm sure you will see them many times!

Looking forward to the reports.
BTW my spot (original product) works for 1 week plus in tracking mode with Energizer Lithium Batteries never shutting down. Great product!

James

[bigbarrels]

I'm Driving down to East Cape for the first two weeks in October and if you are still down that way in search of a way back I could give you a ride........I think you're trip ends sometime in September but if there are any delays, the offer stands..

Safe travels and I hope you get into some epic fishing

Tom

[Grego]

Wow...good luck! I know your desire for adventure....I could only wish I could do something like that before getting too old (come on lottery!)

paratroops are always told: PPPPPP and KISS - Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance and Keep it Simple Stupid. so that is my best advice, and again...good luck and I wish you a safe and fun journey!!!

(http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=7&ved=0CDUQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.witchvox.com%2Fprotection%2Fs teve.html&ei=y94_TMi6NJSisQOyoN2vDA&usg=AFQjCNFLWtmlxQTHf6IQsubtZFu1zYtkNw)

[wavster]

OK. Now's when it all comes together or all falls apart...

Launching from Shelter Island on Saturday around 5:00-5:30am.

I was hoping to leave today, but I had electrical problems to
work out. Got those solved, thanks to David at West Marine.

See you all in September.

Feel free to follow my progress at http://wavster.blogspot.com. There's
a link to my SPOT map, so people can see where I am.

[-scallywag-]

Good Luck!!!

I can't imagine the anticipation you're experiencing right now....

Any pics of the what the yak looks like fully rigged??

Someone should show up and take pics of the big shove off, or better yet call the news and get some airtime for your sponsers.

:you_rock:

[bellcon]

Dave your freaking crazy
.
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.
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.
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.
.
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.
.
:you_rock::cheers1:

Good luck on your adventure
hope all goes well and you have an epic time

Via con Dios

[Oolie]

Go Dave GO!:you_rock:

[roadx]

good luck and enjoy!!

[dorado50]

good luck, dude. would join you in a ny min. if it was five years ago! you'll do good cause i know what u r capable of. you know if you need assist i'll help ya. saludos....

[old_rookie]

Anyone else tracking him? (I'm stuck at work....) According to spot, he is still sitting in Encinitas.

edit: I think he is only doing daily updates.

[Lets_Fish]

Have a safe voyage!

[TCS]

Vaya con dios!

[Hobi-Wan Kenobi]

Epic Adventure

Looking forward to reading your blog!

[old_rookie]

Did anyone get up early and see him off? Get any pics of his set up?

[467echo]

Here is a link to his most updated position. Looks like he is almost to ensenada already.

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0CJjgzHkyG8qt5bqNs88KYilBfjU2OC cb

[m1k3midg3]

lol i wanna see a before and after shot of your arms. i bet they are gonna be huge when you get back

[Iceman]

Looks like Salsipuedes for the evening....then Campo La Jolla.....then PST very cool leg and it just gets better!

[Aaron&Julie]

Adventurous, indeed!
Take care, and good luck on your trip.

[Mo Betta]

I just checked Daves GPS plot, he is inland and heading towards San Felipe?

Anyone know if his trip has changed to a Sea of Cortez paddle?

[lamb]

sure looks like.

Come to think of it, I don't recall he really specified he was going to paddle down the Pacific side of Baja, or maybe I just missed it?

[dsafety]

Oh-Oh. This does not sound good. My first thoughts are stolen gear. Unless, of course, he decided to navigate the new Encinada to San Felipe Canal.

With all the planning he put into this, what are the chances that he would make such a huge detour. Does he check in by phone with someone from time to time? I sure hope so.

I was not one of the majority that thought this trip was a good idea. Hopefully there is a reasonable explanation and all is well.


Bob

[Margarita Mike]

Was thinking the same thing. I don't believe that he would change his plans last min.

Too much goes into trip planning, to do this.

Anyone have an update?

[Mo Betta]

It can get pretty ugly fast down in that direction, not to mention some safety concerns.

If he is in trouble or needs something brought down Im southbound as soon as I can next week. He has my number but somebody PM me if he has lost it and needs something.

Frank
The Beach Cam lurker :cheers1:

As far as I knew the plan was down the Pacific side..

[tony]

Dont have one myself but....
I'm pretty sure you have to push the OK button to get the OK message(its not automatic) and there is an SOS button on the SPOT messenger also.....
Not 100%....but he should be ok. Hopefully rerouted for a good reason

[bigbarrels]

there has been a lot of south swell and hopefully he is heading to the Cortez side for a easier route:rolleyes: Anyone know if he was carrying a satellite phone? I would imagine his family and close friends are aware of his change in plans.

[HELLSTER INC.]

wow looks like he is about 50 miles south of san felipe checking in at 10 p.m. does not sound right to me! But i hope everything is ok...

[j mo]

:hmmmm: booming south swell must have been tuff on the paddle and landings. Hope he hitched a ride to the gulf side....

[Fiskadoro]

I just checked Daves GPS plot, he is inland and heading towards San Felipe? Anyone know if his trip has changed to a Sea of Cortez paddle?


I imagine that when he cleared the point at Punta Banda he ran into some serious rough water with the current south swell. Position seven is in the cove where he'd of taken shelter if that was the case and there is a road out of there he could of used to head across to the Gulf side. Position eight he's on that road just East of Colonial Lazaro Cardenas, and by position nine he's at little cove about five miles south of Puertacitos.
http://www.griptwister.com/bajapics/Puertecitos.jpg

Puretocitos would be a logical place to launch if he switched sides, and the cove would be a good place to stop if he launched there and did not have full day to paddle.

I'd say he's back paddling again by the looks of things.

I hope he realizes what he's now got himself into. The weather on the Pacific side is mild like ours. Weather on the Gulf side is much hotter, with daily temperatures over 100 degrees.

Water is going to be the biggest issue. He's going to need at least twice the drinking water, roughly a minimum of a Gallon a day of clean drinking water. There are some stretches on that side where water is going to be hard to come by, and carrying multiple gallons of water is going to slow him down. I wouldn't want to paddle that trip without a water maker.

The other issue is wind. Though generally calmer he now runs the risk of getting hit by chubascos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtXs1gB2yr (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtXs1gB2yrs)s

Personally I wouldn't try that trip on that side this time of year. I think he just set himself up with a much harder trip to get away from some swell.

On the bright side fishing should be fantastic. He's already in Pargo city, and once past Mulege..

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/resource/2008Baja/Mulege.lighthouse.jpg

It should be wall to wall Dorado, Yellowfin, sails and even Marlin. He's going to see some of the best areas to fish in Mexico if he makes it down OK.

Jim

[Aaron]

How does the spot track work? Do you have to push a button to report your position or is it more like an epirb that reports your position automatically? If its something that you have to do manually to report your position, you can pretty much rule out theft. I'm fairly certain that the thieves are not going to think its a good idea to report their position to the world. But if its an automatic thing, different story.

My (optimistic) guess is that things got a bit rough, he figured that he'd cross and try his luck in the gulf. If things don't work out, he's obviously planned to be off work until September, might as well drive it and fish the hell out of baja!

[buttchaser]

I'm sure Dave is doing fine ..... If he was in any danger he would of not checked in with the Spot messenger .....he would of clicked the Help button.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102

[Matt]

Ive personally witnessed Dave doing many, many, many things that he shouldn't and he seems to keep proving the theories of Darwin wrong!!!:sifone:

[dorado50]

I'm surprised he made it past Ensenada Bay. Disappointed he didn't get to SQ.,good fish right now. If its the weather that changed his plan,just think what Guerrero Negro (Turtle Bay) weather is like now:eek:. I have called him and left texts many times in the past 24 hrs. but no response. He must be mad at me.:rolleyes:. At least he seems to be making progress south...whether by land or sea you can't go wrong..

[buttchaser]

He just checked in At
5:15:36 PM.
Hope he's got some fish :reel: by now :)

[dorado50]

Well, that confirms it. He made it across Baja and re-entered sea of cortez. Good luck on the next leg, it will be lots more doable without all the huge surf and wind in your face...

[Tman]

I'd rather take the chop and swells, at least the water is cold...
San Felipe in July, guess it's not as bad as it is in August, hoping for him it's not too hot and he's got plenty of agua.
Treacherous tide drops...

What an adventurer though, willing to adapt and adjust to do whatever it takes to reach the destiny.

[yani]

I've been thinking alot about Dave. I'll never forget
how hard he fought to figure out La Jolla. He must of
put in thousands of posts before he caught his first fish.
And all the while getting negative pm's from people who
thought he was fishing too much.

Dave will figure it all out. Hell, not only will he catch fish,
but I'm sure there will be a Mexican Bride in every bay
he stays in.

Keep going Dave, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

[fearnofish]

I have a spot and here is how it works. Depending on the subscription you have it can track automaticly every 10 minutes as well as whenever you press the ok button. It appears that he did not opt for the auto tracking or just is not activating it and each point marked he is doing manually pressing the OK button.

There are 5 buttons on the spot that will mark your GPS point, one is a tracking option that reports your position every 10 minutes, One is the OK button that is what Dave appears to be using and send your position when pressed, Another that is a custom message (Wooo Hooo fish on, Bull Elk down! Whatever you pre-program), Another that is a help button that is also a custom message button that is requesting assistance from specific pre-determined people, and the last one is the SOS button that is for serious emergiencies.

Appears to me he has just had a change of plans and all is ok so far. Crossing over land like he did he would have had access to phones and should have in my opinion had someone post here as to what has happened since he has set it up for so many people to follow his trek.

[PEMEX]

Sorry, don't buy it. When's the last time a group of fishermen were assaulted by locals on a trip to the sierras or big sur? Sure there's violent crime in the states, but Mexico is a completely different ball game. Fishermen, kayakers, surfers and tourists are ROUTINELY targeted in Mex, especially camping in remote wilderness areas. Not the case in the States.


Thats what makes Baja great, people who think like you wont go.

[maui jim]

So whats the current update on Dave...Seems to have stalled along the way, I only see tracking from 2 days ago.
Hpefully due to awsome fishing bite

[Bob Madore]

I sure hope he in in conact with someone. Everything is probably fine but when you see no movement it gets me worried.

[buttchaser]

An update from Daves blog page

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Change of Plans (http://wavster.blogspot.com/2010/07/change-of-plans.html)


This is the first update I've been able to make. As you can see, I've changed course somewhat. This was due to high surf and an extremely heavy kayak. After several reductions in equipment and supplies, I was still very heavy. Much too heavy to deal with surf. Unfortunately, the Sea of Cortez side has some extreme heat and its own challenges. Currently catching lots of grouper in Punta Buffeo.
http://www.yaktackle.com/images/blog/pix/grouper.png (http://www.yaktackle.com/images/blog/pix/grouper.png)

[Jim Sammons LJKF]

Well no reports again and now it seems, at least for me, nothing on the SPOT site. I certainly hope he is OK.

[Riskey Water]

I think his SPOT died. He posted on his personal site that all was fine , so it leaves me to believe that all is fine . With the powers that be he is still doing well and moving forward and onward .For the Nay sayers.Mex is a journey for those with the heart ,soul ,and intestinal fortitude of a warrior. I feel that his personal strenght will allow him to complete the task at hand .Give your blessings gentlemen for faith will see him through these travels.

[Jim Sammons LJKF]

So it seems he spent a bit of time in the Bufeo area and the island. The thing I don't get and perhaps this is a SPOT thing. If I am looking at it right, he has traveled over 80 miles in 24 hours. From Isla San Luis to the North end of Bahia De Los Angeles. That is a long way in that amount of time.

[maui jim]

That's some land yak..

[PAL]

SPOT miss by 80 miles? Seems unlikely.

I'm wondering what's up with Dave's SPOT. Mine is nearly 3 years old and the batteries (not alkalines - the recommended lithiums, something far more potent) are still full of juice. Its also spent plenty of time immersed in salt splash and dropped from time to time.

A SPOT with fresh batteries should handle dozens of check-ins a day over the course of several weeks, despite temperature extremes.

[Fiskadoro]

So it seems he spent a bit of time in the Bufeo area and the island. The thing I don't get and perhaps this is a SPOT thing. If I am looking at it right, he has traveled over 80 miles in 24 hours. From Isla San Luis to the North end of Bahia De Los Angeles. That is a long way in that amount of time.

He was on the road again. Looks like he bailed on the Gulf Side, and has crossed back to the Pacific.

The current spot update shows him launched again on the Pacific at Bahia Asuncion. I have not heard a recent report but that is Yellowfin and Dorado territory this time of year.

I'd say that is a good move depending on the surf. I think I said it before but the Pacific side is a much better bet this time of year, as the Gulf side is just way to hot and dry. He may have to cut his days short with the afternoon winds but it beats the heat of the Gulf side, and he won't have to weight himself down with as much water.

Jim

[Jim Sammons LJKF]

Seems he is covering more miles by land than by sea, still what a great adventure. I wish him well. I can't wait to hear his stories.

[Fiskadoro]

Seems he is covering more miles by land than by sea, still what a great adventure. I wish him well. I can't wait to hear his stories.

Yeah I was thinking that as well, must be a blast to be down there, he's fishing some great locations.

Jim

[radastaff]

kinda missed this thred tell now

hope he gets lots of picts during the trip
and the weather cooperates towards his success

sumthin alot of us iam sure
wish we could do
but just have to read about it insted

ive been considering a spot device
prob will get one when the text option version comes out

a sat phone woulda been a good idea for this trip

i woulda def brough my ceramic filter water purifier pump

coulnt immagine trying to launch and land a yak
let alone paddle it with any current and or wind
with an extra 300# on it

one tough crazy cool dude fur sure


paul

[PAL]

Heck yeah, a great trip any way you slice it.

Re a SPOT that texts. SPOT licensed their tech to Delorme, who cooked up a GPS / Sat Text gizmo. Dave had hoped to get one for this run, but it's in very short supply, too brand spanking new.

[trob]

turned into a roadtrip....those paddling sponsors are bummed :)

"I'm moving by vehicles to choice spots in Baja to concentrate more on fishing than paddling."


Looking forward to the trip report when he gets back.

[Lets_Fish]

Just saw that Dave is back in the gulf. Looks like he will have more land miles than water!

[driftwood]

Unrelenting strong winds must of made him go back to the gulf and back to the frying pan . :egg:

[WahooUSMA]

Unreal jouney. Can't wait to hear about his trip!

[Thresher_Cowboy]

Didn't take long to figure out what a dumb idea that was... Jumping in that truck probably saved his life, at least the guy knows when to quit...

[trob]

he's headed back north and checked in 3 times on the 13th?

[Fiskadoro]

he's headed back north and checked in 3 times on the 13th?

Right now he's at one of my favorite areas to fish in Baja, I'm not sure if he's headed back or just fishing a bite. He's working a prime monster Yellowtail area right now. I'd guess he's target big yellows, amberjack, or possibly grouper, but there are all kinds of fish in there this time of year.

Didn't take long to figure out what a dumb idea that was... Jumping in that truck probably saved his life, at least the guy knows when to quit...

The world is full of demarcations, but one of the most profound is the difference between those who do extraordinary things and those that sit on the sidelines and try to pretend they are fools for trying to do them, or that they do not know what they are doing.

There are few of the former, many, many, many of the latter.

No doubt when Columbus set out for the Indies there were plenty of guys loitering around the docks that said it was a dumb idea, or that he failed when he discovered the "New World" rather then a passage to India.

Einstein said it best:

"...Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence and fulfills the duty to express the results of his thought in clear form..."

Albert Einstien, quoted in New York Times, March 19, 1940

This reminds me of an old debate.....

Years ago I was having a discussion about Jung's Collective unconcious with a Psychology Professor of mine. I have no issue with the theory as it was originally presented, as a biological reality, essentially instinct but my professor was of the Universal Mind, metaphysical reality, mindset. A school of thought that in my opinion wrongly interprets the original theory into a mystical thing. At any rate his idea was there was there is this field of mental energy that we all contribute to, that is around us at all times, and that all of us tap into it.

In response to this idea I said simply" "Imagine your average student. Think of how intelligent they are. Now realize that half the population on the planet is dumber then they are. If this metaphysical realm of thought exists: as you say it does, then what possible use could it be? It would be like a well of idiocy."

Too bad that was before the web (20 years ago), I could of just used the internet as an example. As they say opinions are like A-holes, everyone's got one, some are more attractive then others, and some you just don't want to see, but the bottom line is for good or bad everyone get's to display theirs on the web.

I don't know exactly what the guys up to, or where he's going next but I'll tell you honestly I've fished where he's at right now from small boats and it's an exceptional place to fish and I would love to take my kayak down there. You can sit here online and try to kick him when you perceive he's down, but I can almost guarantee you that he's probably having more fun then you are, probably the adventure of a lifetime.

I envy him, I wish I was there with him. He may not make it to Cabo this time, but obviously he has the courage, the will, the youth, and more importantly the spirit of adventure to try in the first place.

I'd say he's a lucky man on many levels :cheers1:

Jim

[Dean Machine]

Einstein said it best:

"...Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence and fulfills the duty to express the results of his thought in clear form..."

Albert Einstien, quoted in New York Times, March 19, 1940


Jim

Jim,
Nicely chosen quote. Especially the part about expressing the results of thought in clear form. That's like what Dave is doing right now. Of course we could just sit in front of our computers as an expression of our thoughts afraid to even go outside but I'm with Dave's school. He gave the trip lots of thought and now...the fun part.

I wouldn,t exactly say that he quit either. More like he is improvising.

[Fiskadoro]

Of course we could just sit in front of our computers as an expression of our thoughts afraid to even go outside but I'm with Dave's school. He gave the trip lots of thought and now...the fun part. I wouldn,t exactly say that he quit either. More like he is improvising.

Exactly!!!:cheers1:

[Aaron]

I'll play devil's advocate...

Columbus was well prepared and succeeded. Amelia Earhart was well prepared and failed. Point is that it is not important whether or not the people that try these types of things succeed, but that when they attempt these feats, the chances of success are substantially higher than with the average Joe. And I didn't really get that vibe with this one...

I've met Dave a few times on the water. I know who he is from his posts here and on other sites but I'm sure he wouldn't be able to single me out in a lineup. Always seems like a nice guy from our passing by on the water so nothing personal. He gave something that's really difficult a go and that's truly admirable. I think that poor planning is the only thing to blame when plans change so early in a long journey like this. Heavy boat, high seas in the pacific, hot weather in the gulf are all predictable factors that could have been accounted for. But really, who cares? He went for it. My guess, he'll go for it again with a better understanding than any of us who haven't even began such a journey. But I'll stick by my "sideline coaching, still scared of mexico, no time to do anything but work and fish on the internet" opinion that a little better planning and testing followed by more planning and testing could have at least gotten him a little further down the coast.

Only people that I think could be truly irked by this are people that gave him gear for the journey and watched it turn in to a road trip through baja pretty early on. Give me a few months of some free Stone and I'll paddle to Ensanada...or maybe just the coronados...how about the nw corner? Fuck it, I'm never getting sponsored.

[tony]

Trust me....between this site and others, by the end of his adventure the sponsors are probably looking at about 20,000 views. I'm sure they got way more than they gave him.
Unless Stone Brewing gave him a life time supply of beer.....because if it was me they'd already be losing money:biggrinjester:
When it's all done I'm sure he's got a great tale to tell. Plus if he's a family man, not risking his life is always the wisest path to take.

[WahooUSMA]

The world is full of demarcations, but one of the most profound is the difference between those who do extraordinary things and those that sit on the sidelines and try to pretend they are fools for trying to do them, or that they do not know what they are doing.

There are few of the former, many, many, many of the latter.

I envy him, I wish I was there with him. He may not make it to Cabo this time, but obviously he has the courage, the will, the youth, and more importantly the spirit of adventure to try in the first place.

I'd say he's a lucky man on many levels :cheers1:

Jim

Very well said. I too agree, he is a very lucky man on multiple levels. And I am extremely jealous/envious!

[trob]

I'll play devil's advocate...

Columbus was well prepared and succeeded. Amelia Earhart was well prepared and failed. Point is that it is not important whether or not the people that try these types of things succeed, but that when they attempt these feats, the chances of success are substantially higher than with the average Joe. And I didn't really get that vibe with this one...

I've met Dave a few times on the water. I know who he is from his posts here and on other sites but I'm sure he wouldn't be able to single me out in a lineup. Always seems like a nice guy from our passing by on the water so nothing personal. He gave something that's really difficult a go and that's truly admirable. I think that poor planning is the only thing to blame when plans change so early in a long journey like this. Heavy boat, high seas in the pacific, hot weather in the gulf are all predictable factors that could have been accounted for. But really, who cares? He went for it. My guess, he'll go for it again with a better understanding than any of us who haven't even began such a journey. But I'll stick by my "sideline coaching, still scared of mexico, no time to do anything but work and fish on the internet" opinion that a little better planning and testing followed by more planning and testing could have at least gotten him a little further down the coast.

Only people that I think could be truly irked by this are people that gave him gear for the journey and watched it turn in to a road trip through baja pretty early on. Give me a few months of some free Stone and I'll paddle to Ensanada...or maybe just the coronados...how about the nw corner? Fuck it, I'm never getting sponsored.

that's probably what most of us are thinking. could have adjusted for the weather before he left for the trip.

he's going to have some awesome pictures to show us when he gets back though.

[wavster]

Well...I'm back and no I didn't make it to Cabo. For anyone
following my blog or this thread, you know that things
didn't go as planned.

I've read through all the posts and to the naysayers, all I can
say is this was MY trip, not yours. How I chose to go about
it was my decision. To supporters, thanks.

That being said, there were definitely some errors
in my planning. Kayak weight was a key factor.
Couple that with unfortunate timing and
things can come unraveled quickly.

Here's the gist of what went down:

From the start, I knew that I would have no ground
support. I knew that would be a crucial factor in this trip.
I spoke to several people who have done
similar type trips and they all advised against going
without ground support. The reasons are obvious (less
gear to carry, easily resupplied, medical emergencies, etc.).
I put the word out, but I couldn't find any
friends who were able to commit to the support
required for a trip like this. I'm not one to rely on others,
so I tried to figure out what I CAN do without a support team.
I knew that certain conditions would have to prevail if
I was going to succeed.

Additionally, I made a commitment to myself about what
I would do if things went wrong or if I found that I
was on a path to destruction. Being a pilot, I've been
taught that its not one thing that went wrong, but a
culmination of many mistakes that leads to most tragic
accidents. 99% of the time, its pilot error and can
be avoided. As Matt F. said in one post, I've proved
Darwin wrong many times...I did not want this trip
to be a Darwinian experiement.

The second problem was weight. My kayak was extremely
heavy, but well within the limits of the kayak.
Unfortunately, being so heavy, it was extremely
difficult for me to move on land. Each heave-ho would
only move the kayak a few inches. I'm estimated I
had about 300lbs of gear, food, and water.

Another major problem is where to land each night. The
first night was extremely difficult and I thought
about that for many months. I thought
about paddling to the Coronados and trying to hook up
with a boat, but figured that was too risky. I decided to
paddle straight to Rosarito, which I did, but since I
launched late (around noon), I didn't get there until
3:30am.

Each evening, I contemplated where I would land. Though
I did my research with maps and charts, I wasn't moving
as fast as I had hoped. My average speed was 2.2 mph.
Typically, its 3.5mph with all my fishing gear. As I
approached my initial landing candidate, I was met
with obstacles out of my control. Incorrect tides, surf,
and other factors made it so my first choice usually
didn't work out. In most cases, I searched for 3-4 hours
for a landing spot.

After arriving in La Bufadora (paddling around Punta Banda
was a trip), I realized that I was only covering half
the miles each day that I needed to in order to complete
this trip in the time I had alloted. Add to that reports
of even larger surf on the way and I began to realize
that I could end up in an uncomfortable situation.

A kayak guide (Eddy), told me that there were surf
warnings for the next several days. He is a certified
expedition kayak guide and knows the Baja coastline
very well. He and another certified guide suggested
that I wait for several days before moving on
from La Bufadora.

I knew that waiting 5 days would make my chances of
reaching Cabo even slimmer. He then suggested the Cortez
side and I thought about that. Unfortunately, though
I knew it would be warmer, I never anticipated the
heat that I experienced there. Temps were easily
over 100 degrees on the water.

[j mo]

Downside of posting on a social networking site- plenty of naysayers.

You went for it:cheers1:

[yani]

Dave,

I'm sure you're tired. Rest and make sure you
don't fish Steve Moyer Memorial 2010 (http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=8064). Ok?

:you_rock:

[wavster]

Downside of posting on a social networking site- plenty of naysayers.

You went for it:cheers1:
The naysayers don't bother me, just wanted to point out
to them that I don't owe them anything.

It was an exciting trip and necessary training for
other trips I have in the works.

[wavster]

Dave,

I'm sure you're tired. Rest and make sure you
don't fish Steve Moyer Memorial 2010 (http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=8064). Ok?

:you_rock:

Why do you think I came back early. I wouldn't miss that
tourney for anything. I feel its a moral obligation for
anyone who fishes La Jolla. Give back to this community
and you will be richly rewarded.

[Surfdad]

Dave snapped some pics of my PB tail I caught in LJ a couple years back, the guy is a class act. Good on ya Dave for taking this journey and glad you made it back safely.

:cheers1:

Surfdad

[shortstack]

All I can say is ,you did it! You made the best attempt to complete your goal. You have done way more than most of us here on this board and that takes balls, So all of the naysayers can go :the_finger:. Your life is about what you endure, accomplishment, the people that cross your path, and the impact you have on their lives. Adventure! :you_rock:
You only live once, It's not practice!

[wavster]

OK. I'm entered in the 2010 Steve Moyer tourney.

The way the fishing's been going off in town, I think
this is going to be a fantastic tournament.

Jim: maybe you should consider opening up a Great White
category...

[Jim Sammons LJKF]

So glad you made it back safe Dave, I can't wait to hear the stories of your adventure. And thanks for supporting the Moyer tournament, can't wait to see you there

[WahooUSMA]

All I can say is ,you did it! You made the best attempt to complete your goal. You have done way more than most of us here on this board and that takes balls, So all of the naysayers can go :the_finger:. Your life is about what you endure, accomplishment, the people that cross your path, and the impact you have on their lives. Adventure! :you_rock:
You only live once, It's not practice!

X10!

Very well said! Hats off to you, Dave.

[trob]

post some pics dave! glad you made it back safe, that trip sounds brutal.

[Thresher_Cowboy]

No doubt when Columbus set out for the Indies there were plenty of guys loitering around the docks that said it was a dumb idea, or that he failed when he discovered the "New World" rather then a passage to India.

Einstein said it best:

"...Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence and fulfills the duty to express the results of his thought in clear form..."


LOL this guy is no Einstein, and definitely no Columbus... How so many people can support this idea is beyond me. Do the math- 1,000 miles, 30 days, that's 33 miles per day, every day for 30 days. With no land support. And no water maker. Right. A real inspiration...

I thought this was a dumb idea from the start and I guarantee a lot of other people did too. I'm glad you didn't kill yourself wavster.

[shortstack]

A lot of people also said we would never go to the moon either.

People once thought that if we broke the sound barrier that they would explode.

It was said that the world was flat and if you went to the end you would fall off.

Wavster, :you_rock: Dont let the naysayers stop you from posting more about your adventure.

[MVC]

Glad you made it back safely. Memories are worth alot more than pocessions. I am sure that it was a trip that you will never forget.

[maui jim]

Never wait for the Would'of, Could'of, Should'of's in Life...
We only pass this way once, and take in all life experiance that you should offer yourself.
You only had to explain it to yourself and not others, and we tend to believe in our own dreams, more than the dreams of others.
I hope you enjoyed a beer or two at sunset on an empty beach, which is one of lifes great pleasures.
Glad your back, hope to see some pics soon.

[IntrntFshrman]

One of the things I love about this site is reliving other peoples adventures through their tales. I for one am looking forward to some more 'fishing prose' about your adventures. Being two hours from La Jolla, I don't get out very often so it's my way of 'living the dream', even if it is through reading somebody else's tale.

I agree with others that we're really happy to hear you made it back safely....what an amazing trip you must have had!!


:kayak-surfer: :wsb: :drool5: :yt: :drool5::drool5::drool5: :reeling: :luxhello::luxhello::luxhello: :cheers1::cheers::canabis: :smile::smile::smile: :you_rock:

[dorado50]

Welcome back....I can put you on some WSB tonite if your down..:reel:

[roadx]

welcome back! looking forward to some pictures and more details of your adventure :cheers1:

[walrus]

Welcome back.


You did the right thing, you adapted as the conditions dictated.

You shouldn't worry about the opinion of those whose view of the world is from the inside of a box.

I think the real question is what fish did you catch?

[BT]

welcome back Dave! Good on ya for giving it a shot!

[-scallywag-]

Glad you made it back....can't wait to see some photos!!! I vote you post everyone you have of the trip, no matter how lame you think they are...WE would love to see them!!





AND wait....what did D50 just say :bigear:..... :eek:........:luxhello: