Around the Cape

The track

Yesterday we had a paddle around Cape St. Francis on the menu. Its an exposed cape. The next stop north of here is Cape Farewell, Greenland 1,500 kms away.

Eight of us met at Bauline on the east side of Conception Bay and then shuttled some cars to Pouch Cove (pronounced "pooch" surprisingly) where we would be taking out. Stan and I did this paddle in the opposite direction on November 11, 2008 - how time flies. For the others it was their first time.

Leaving Bauline

It was fairly clear as we left Bauline but it would turn out to be a mixed bag weather wise on the day. Rain and fog would predominate but the sun did make an appearance briefly.

Striking cliffs

The cliffs north of Bauline (and extending south to Portugal Cove) loom overhead. The Topsail fault strikes through here; the cliffs to our right plunge straight into the sea.

Gimme shelter

At times the heavens opened up and it poured. At one point we were close to this cave as some of the guys took refuge. It rained so hard that the raindrops were bouncing up on the sea surface.

Waterfalls

The snowmelt is well under way as winter makes room for spring. It coupled with the rain that was falling meant we had numerous waterfalls on our paddle. This one was just before we reached the top of the peninsula.

Things got interesting

As the line of cliffs gave way, they continued on under water making for a spot to play in the swell breaking over the rocks.

Into Cripple Cove

Cripple Cove sits at the top of the peninsula guarded by a large rock at the mouth of the cove. Nonetheless, its not much protection from the almost unlimited fetch from the north. As a result the cove lacked a beach.

Rounding the Cape

The Cape was shrouded in fog. We were welcomed by the foghorn which was in good form as it boomed out its message of warning.

Rocky take-out

Just southeast of the Cape we took out in Biscayne Cove where we stopped for lunch. Half of us here and the other half on the other side of the run down wharf. Neither spot was ideal but these guys probably got the better deal for landing and relaunching, as much as I hate to admit it. We jokingly accused them of being anti-social.

In a fog

Paddling in fog has its charms.

Crash and bang

The sea on the Conception Bay side was calm but after rounding the Cape it was more active. It wasn't a steep swell, just broad and where the water got shallow it piled up and crashed against the cliffs. The aerated water accentuating the smell of the sea added to the ambiance.

Cleaved open

Coming into Pouch Cove we spotted this deep cleft in the cliffs that must have been 75 meters long. There was lots of room for everyone. Our day was almost over.

Traffic jamb

Arriving at the slipway in Pouch Cove we lined up to take-out. The water was low and had the slipway was very slippery so we helped each other land. A carry up the steep slipway to the cars we had shuttled taxed our lungs as we stood about huffing and puffing.

A first time around the Cape for most for a total of 21.5 kms. To sum up the day, what can I say - pinch me!