Archive for July, 2008
Posted by derrick on
July 10, 2008
N49 42.2 W57 56.97 Gros Morne. 65K. Spectacular cliffs along Cape St Gregory. Cliffs concentrated moderate SW breeze into a screaming 45mph plus tailwind. Tops of waves blown off & surface of water streaked by violent gusts. Not very serene but good for surfing 7 plus knots. Camp on low coast. Blackflies fierce & chased me into tent early.
– – –
This is derrick. . just a side note that I’m traveling myself now for the next two weeks so I may not get the google maps up until I’m at a hotspot.
Posted by derrick on
July 9, 2008
N49 17.1 W58 15.1 Beverly Cove. 62K. Pleasant sunny day. To prevent overheating needed to vent drysuit with neck ring & put PFD on aftdeck (clipped to skirt). Black bear watched me land at campsite from top of ridge. As soon as I exited kayak & stood he bolted into forest.
Posted by derrick on
July 8, 2008
N48 49.3 W58 35.1 Lewis Brook. 84K On the water almost 12hours. Around Port Au Port and across to “mainland”. Lively following seas. Winds strong, some great surfing, linking one wave to the next. This section of coast is tall, rugged & fantastic!
Posted by derrick on
July 6, 2008
Saturday 7/5/08 N48 28.6 W59 12.66 De Grau. 47k. Crossed St George’s Bay to Port au Port Peninsula. 2 meter breaking beam seas made for a wet, slow & challenging kayaking crossing. Could not land at point due to cliffs, landed just west in a village to buy groceries. Hosted by Laverna & Arsene. Hot shower was pure heaven! Newfoundlanders must be the most hospitable people in the world.
I have been asked why I didn’t portage at the narrow point of land at the Western end of the peninsula. I’m willing to cut corners, cross bays and paddle over anything that will float my boat at high water, but otherwise no portaging (plus that I absolutely hate to portage — probably from portaging my kayak across Isle Royale in Lake Superior to fish the inland lakes).
Sunday 7/6/08 – Strong gusty winds in morning. Decided to give sore muscles a well deserved rest day. All provisions restocked. Invited to a BBQ for dinner!
Posted by derrick on
July 4, 2008
From Greg: N47 45.92 W59 18.69. 63K. Northbound! Rounded Port aux Basques & SW corner. At Cape Ray was treated to a humpback leaping skyward & then crashing down on his side to a thunderous roar. He did this 8 times, once at close range. Camping near small inlet.
* Humpback image by Whit Welles.
Posted by derrick on
July 3, 2008
N47 35.98 W58 47.72 near Grandy Sound. 48k. Calm. Roasted in drysuit despite frequent “roto cooling”. Dense fog turned sunny by evening. Another large shark this one passing me going opposite way & showing no interest. Judging from black dorsal & tail fin he was about 12′ long. Past remote part of South coast & hope to round bend tomorrow. Camp near abandoned cabins overlooking sea.
*shark pic from Wiki
