Winterbreak

Part #1: Kayaking

University was over on December the 18th. Guess how I start my break - right kayaking.  So sunday noon I left town and head to Burnt Ranch Gorge. Thats something I did a lot this summer but this time we had 3200cfs instead of 550cfs what is a typical summer flow. With me on this high water mission where Russell Kramer, his sister Natalie Kramer and Leif Anderson.

Leif is awesome and I wish I had a sweet mullet like his
Photo: Natalie Kramer

Before we started boating Russell ran shuttle and I forgot to put my gear bag back in the car. So I had to store all my stuff in the back of my kayak which made it weight like I would go on an overnighter.

getting my gear in the back of my Mystic

Photo: Leif Anderson

This Big Water run was hell of fun and so was kayaking with this crew.

Leif in the bottom of #2  -  Photo: Natalie Kramer

myself at the entrance of #2  -  Photo: Natalie Kramer

Russell and my watching Natalie punching trough the bottom hole on #2

Photo: Leif Anderson

Big Water kayaking is something I really enjoy. On this day we had some nice big waves and big holes. Thanks to Leif and Natalie for the pictures.

The next day I went to the Cal Salmon River with Wes and Paul Fritze. Here we paddled a class 3-4 section which was pretty fun too. This river drainage might become my favorite in northern California.

Part #2: Surfing

After two days of kayaking I finally hit the road. With me on board was Simon a friend from NZ. Our destination: surfing in Baja, Mexico.

After one long day of driving we stayed the night at a friends house in O.C.. From there we hopped over the boarder the next day around noon. Surprisingly we were waved through most of the controls at the border, just once the took a look in the back of the truck. So still stocked about the easy border-crossing we missed the first exit in Tijuana and got lost. However we made our way out of this city and kept on driving south. Back on the highway we realized that we didn't have any stamps in our passports or a permission for the car. all of this is necessary if someone travels south of Ensanada or spend more than 72h in the country - what we both did. In Ensanada we did some grocerys and than made our way to Punta San Jose. Therefore we had to pass two more military checkpoints. In time for the sunset we left the first (and one of the worst) dirtroad behind and set up our tent with the last light of the day. 

The next day we start with a supreme breakfast. We checked our surrounding and found ourself on top of a long cliff right above the sea. The break was small but still surfable. After two days of driving I was looking forward to finally surf some waves. The hike down in a crack of the cliff and down and handmade wooden ladder was kind of sketchy, specially while carrying the carbon boat.

me surfing one of my first waves in Mexico

All in all we spend a chill day there. In the evening we invited our only camp neighbors over to join our fire. Vince and Tracy travel yearly to Baja for over 20 years and spent normally about 3 months there. They told us about their experiences in Mexico and gave as several advices for places to go, good camps and where to fuel up - just to mention a few. They also told us, that it is no big deal that we don't have visas or travel permission - BIENVENIDO A MEXICO!!
The next day was Christmas (December 25th). We where heading south this day. Vince and Tracy came by our camp and gave us a six pack Tecate, sun protection and some cookies as a christmas present. We stopped in the next town to get our supplies and found a phone to call home. While Simon was calling home I met this older guy named Jesus. I was able to speak some english and was very proud of his skills. In the end he asked for a $1 so he can buy himself a Tequila in the local bar to celebrate Navidad (= Christmas). We kept on driving and set up our tent somewhere on a beach next to the highway. With a campfire, roasted potatoes, marshmallows, a lot Tequila and even more beer we celebrated our Christmas evening.

Jesus on Christmas

sunset at Christmas

Early in the morning we packed our stuff in the truck and drove south to The Wall. This is THE surf spot in Baja. It is located next to Punta Rosalita. On the way we had to fuel up on next to the road where a guy sells Gasolina out of cans. In the Loncheria next door we got some Burritos and Quesadillas. At the Wall we spent 3 relaxed days with surfing, collecting mussels, playing poker, reading and eating & drinking.

wind-protected camp at the Wall

Simon on his Bodyboard

random sunset at the Wall 

After leaving the Wall we made our way back north. Back in civilization we had the best Fish Tacos ever. After passing San Vicente it was pouring rain and we ran out of daylight so we spent the night in a cheap hotel and finally had a warm shower. The next day we had blue sky again but the heavy sea caused by the storm the day before. The break at Los Cabras was messed up so we decided to start reading with a beer. After a while a van with the Canadians Garett and Avery pull next to our camp. After a short conversation we pulled out the Tequila. Thats how we make friends! We enjoyed the evening on a campfire, with a veggie rice pan and mussles and Tequila.

sunset at Los Cabras

The next morning we got up just before sunset. The surf was pumpin' - nice 10ft with offshoe wind breaking in a barrel. That was what we were looking for the whole trip. Simon and I went out for an epic surf session while the Canadians left to the Wall. What a start for the last day!

barrel on our last day

       .

shot from the head cam while surfing

After surfing we had breakfast and left to Tijuana where we wanted to party for New Years Eve. Still in camping mode, we fall asleep while chilling in the hotel room and woke up just in time at 11pm. We left to party at a random bar with a lot of Mexicans and Corona. The next morning we crossed the border without major problems besides that I needed a new stamp in my passport, we got asked 10+ times about what we carry with us and they told us several times that the car is nearly to dirty. after about 3h we where driving towards LA. Here I dropped Simon at the airport and picked up Yohann for the next adventure.

Tacos in Tijuana

the city of Tijuana

Part #2: Climbing

I hang out about 3h at the airport until Yohann arrived. Our first stop was at In&Out burgers. The best fast food burger I ever had - but nothing compared to the Fish Tacos we had in Mexico. After that we left for Joshua Tree National Park. We arrived there pretty late in the night set up the tent and went to sleep. The next day we checked out the park a little bit and went to the visitor center to get climbing information.

a Joshua Tree

prak overview

The next night was very cold and the sun didn't came out in the morning. We were pretty down and thought about leaving to either Las Vegas or even back home. Finally we got up and went to the local climbing store where we bought some warm layers. We also found some nice places to go climbing. More used to the colder weather we went climbing the next to days. Sunshine and good climbs brought back our good mood.

ice in the morning

Where exactly is the route? - me at Thin Wall

me rappelling at Cap Rock

Yohann rappelling at Short Wall

end of a good day of climbing in Joshua Tree

After Joshua Tree we left to Las Vegas where we panned on climbing in the Red Rocks. But not before a mandatory visit at the Casinos on the Strip.

Red Rocks Canyon National Conservation Area

At the Red Rocks, which are 10min out of Las Vegas, we had two really good climbing days. Beside that we had an awesome sunrise one morning. And went shopping for beer, cause the taxes in Nevada are way less then in California.

sunrise in the Red Rocks

Magic Bus in the Red Rocks

Our time went over and we had to head back to Arcata where I started with my new job at the Schatz Energy Lab. On the way back we drove through the Death Vally where we had another nice sunset and sneaked into the showers of an campsite.

Death Valley

Yohann in the Sand Dunes in Death Valley

sunset in Death Valley

Clean and refreshed we kept on driving. The plan was to drive through Yosemite the next morning. Unfortunately we passed a sign that said the road is closed all winter. So we decided to keep on driving through the night in shifts. Once when we switched driver and stopped for a pee the car didn't start again. After checking the batterie contacts and searching for the the starter (which I didn't found) we decided to push the car to the next intersection (300m) cause there the chance to stop another car would be higher. There we saw a sign that indicate a phone in 1/2 mile. We put on all our warm cloths and walked to the phone. It was 4am in the morning and freezing cold outside. I called AAA and around 5:45am a towing truck came. First we tried to jump start which didn't work. Than the guy hit the starter (which is next to the wheel on the passenger site/ opposite of where I was looking) and my truck started right away. This all happened in the middle of nowhere without cell phone service, 27 miles away from the next town. Finally we where able to continue our trip and arrived in Arcata 2h later than expected at 10am.

sunrise on the 299 just west of Redding

That was my winterbreak and the longest post so far.
Happy New Year by the way....