Thu 12/04-2012 Day 227

P4120059.JPG
The local public beach facilities in Bahia Nihue

Pos: here
Loc: offshore Puerto Saavedra
Acc: afloat in my kayak
Dist: 68,7 km
Start: 11:20 End: 00:00

I stuck my head out of the tent and saw again *nothing* but thick fog – I was camped probably 100 meters off the waterline and could barely see it! I wouldn´t have minded to launch as it was low tide and reasonable calm once past the moderate dumper if I´d have known a safe landing! But today was an ugly open beach landing planned, as within over 80 km there was no at least marginal sheltered landing in sight! Puerto Savedra was also more than a daylight´s paddle away, and on the Google Earth picture the river bar also didn´t look very inviting.

I knew the swell would be rising the next few days, and today would be the last day with swell around 2 meters. It would rise until Monday/ Tuesday up to 4 meters and more, and no way I´d risk an open beach landing in those conditions, not to talk about getting out again!

So I was actually already in my paddling underwear, when I said “no” to myself, and went back into my warm sleeping bag.

But if I wouldn´t dare to go today, I may be stuck on this beach for about 5 days or more! I was already seriously considering skipping this leg, but my trip integrity…so I talked to Peter and to my local neighbor, and both advised to wait for about 2-3 hours, and the sun may be out again…?

At 9 am, I jumped already in my dry suit, and walked impatiently up and down the beach, trying to spot a marginal lifting of the fog. I also visited my local neighbor Alfonso living in his beach house with his wife Francisca and was always reminded what a privileged life I´m leading, as the living standard of the few locals is quite different to mine. None the less they were friendly and welcoming me and showing me around! Alfonso was just busy bundling and dry smoking long strings of picked sea weed for eating. I was sorry to say I was full to have a try…

At 11 am, I saw a marginal improvement of the visibility, and trusted the fog would eventually lift. I quickly packed my things, and managed to launch dry with great timing and a bit of a pushing help of Alfonso.

The sea was calm on the surface with no wind at all, just the swell was feeling already temporarily bigger than 2 meters! Paddling was no problem.

I just didn´t really dare to watch the dumping surf all the time, as it soon was clear this would be a trashy landing! I rather paddled further offshore, and had for a while a mantra on my mind: “It will be a safe landing! It will be a safe landing!”

But soon I fancied another option, as the possible landing on the second day after about 80 km would be also marginal sheltered only…why not paddle through the night and make a safe landing in Quidico? That beach looked well sheltered on Google Earth…

I must admit this option was not really on my mind before I was launching, so my preparation for surviving a night on the water was marginal. But actually, I could have only improved my amount of food in reach, and maybe another jacket to pull over my dry suit, as I didnt carry an overcag which is always the best option for a cold night´s paddle. I had enough to drink and plenty of apples in reach. And, just in case, with a bit of effort and risk I´d be able to climb on my kayak in calm water and to open front or back hatch to reach quickly some things packed on top. But that was not necessary.

I thought the night won´t be that freezing cold, as it was no wind forecast, and my food would be all right, as if I´d not be eating that much I may have not to bother with pooping at my usual morning time which eventually proved correct. Just in case, I´d be able to do the job through my male dry suit zipper…remember the hollow hand…

Once I decided NOT to land, a nice peaceful feeling came over me, I  paddled even more off shore not to hear the trashing surf noise, and mentally prepared for the night to come. It would be “only” 130 km, I have paddled more in one day, one night and another day, like along the three sets of cliffs in Australia!

Karel had forecast rain for today, but there was nothing besides thick fog, and my hope was his rain forecast for the next day´s morning would also be proving wrong this time…if there would only be a bit of open sky for a tiny bit of light at night I would be ok and won´t get sea sick.

And if with no light at all and in pitch darkness, I may not able to really “paddle“ and rather just survive afloat, and I would have to paddle then a few more km left in next day´s light.

The first hour after night fall was nice open sky with many stars, and paddling was a pleasure. The sky was soon overcast, but I had a good navigation light with the city of Puerto Saavedra just on the shore. Later it was another marginal light shining from some village inland to be able to keep direction easily. It soon turned midnight…

 

14 comments on “Thu 12/04-2012 Day 227

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Chuck H.

Paula: Freya has spent many nights at sea, all of them memorable and some heroic.

She crossed the Gulf of Carpentaria (North-eastern Australia) from 24 April to 1 May 2009, spending seven continuous nights (and eight days!) living in a kayak very much like the one she’s using today. For reports on that crossing, see http://freyahoffmeister.com/category/australia/stage-6-seisia-nhulunbuy/page/3/ (start with Thursday, 23-04-2009 and work up the page to the top, then click “Newer Entries” to continue as you reach the top of each page.

In August 2009, Freya made a long overnight paddle along the Zuytdorp Cliffs (Western Australia), something that has been done only two times before. Her report on this is one of the scariest things I have ever read. See http://qajaqunderground.com/category/australia/stage-10-onslow-kalbarri/ and look at the entries for Tuesday 18.09.2009 through Friday, 21.08.2009. Note that a day after arriving safely at Kalbarri, she became very ill and needed five days to recover.

She later made two more overnight passages along cliffs in southern Australia.

PAULA OPAZO

freya uffff .. you spend the night at sea? .. ooh my god .. resare for you as I did when I just wanted to deceit island will cross soon .. take good care dear .. you have good night .. kisses: )
pauly

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