Top 10 paddles of 2012 - #10

The number 10 top paddle of 2012 was a paddle Dean, Hazen and I did today.  Why? Well, its on the basis of "What have you done for me lately".  Its fresh and on the 10th last day of the year.

We drove to Holyrood Marina where we put in amidst all the yachts that had been taken out of the water for the year.

We left the harbour underneath the looming Burwetts Mountain at 350 feet and topped by a huge cross.  

Crossing Holyrood Bay under another local "mountain" Butterpot, at 1,000 feet.  Snow covered its heights whereas at water level the snow had already melted away.

Blow Me Down Bluff, where we were headed looked a long way off but ...

before we knew it, we were there.

We entered Red Rock Cove where Lower Cambrian red slates are faulted up against the darker Harbour Main volcanic rocks.

The red slates underwent low grade metamorphism by the heat of the Holyrood granite batholith when it was intruded.

Harbour Main Point reached, we paddled into Harbour Main for a lunch stop.

Lunch stop beach.  There was a gentle breeze blowing out of the southeast that added just a little chill to the air.  I donned wool mittens as I ate my lunch but my feet turned to what felt like junks of ice standing on the cold rocks.  No big deal, its the price of getting out this time of year.

Mark it down, it was an enjoyable paddle and comes in at number 10.

Drysuit neck gasket replacement

In the fall of 2010 I had to replace the neck gasket in my drysuit.  I got it done but it was a messy process.  I had the process just about 50% right.  I used the bottom of an 8 3/4 inch plant pot that fit tightly in the material but when I applied the Aquaseal, the gasket crept and I was sweating between the toes trying to keep it in place.

There are instruction videos on YouTube, some I found useful, some I didn't trust to get a good seal.  I didn't like the idea of gluing the seal on a flat surface because the material doesn't lay flat and I was afraid of air holes.  One guy made a neat contraption but I decided to stick with the pot bottom I had.

I just had to replace it again but learned from my earlier adventure.

 I covered the form completely with wax paper and secured it with tape ...

... before inserting it into the opening.  It was a nice snug fit. You can see the mess on the material from the Aquaseal I made the first time I did this job.

With the help of my wife I stretched the new gasket over the form and positioned it with the right amount of overlap on the material.  This is where I made the improvements from the last time.

I tied the gasket tightly with string just above where the material lay on the form.  That held the gasket securely while I peeled back the gasket to apply Aquaseal and refold over the material.

Then I applied clear packing tape over the seal, overlapping the gasket and material.  I had previously determined the tape would stick to the gasket but not to the cloth so well.  I was ready with another piece of string to tie around the tape where it overlaid the material.  (The form is slightly tapered and a dry fit showed the gasket crept up a bit even tied with the string.  The tape was the key ensured the gasket would stay put.)

As added security I tied a third piece of string.

I had zero creep.  It was a painless process and I didn't even have to wear rubber gloves.

I was apprehensive about replacing the gasket because of the uncomfortable experience I had the first time but this worked well.  I'm ready to paddle again this weekend.

What a difference a day makes

 Saturday we went for a paddle with snow in the forecast.  It was cold but we didn't see the snow.

We stopped to look at the partially frozen Brocks Pond Falls.  As we returned a light drizzle began but still no sign of snow.

But in the evening it did come and by Sunday morning the kayak-mobile was covered in snow.

The snow rested even on the smallest of branches.

 The fire hydrant stuck out like a sore thumb.

The rhododendron that was in beautiful bloom just months ago shivered under the blanket of snow.

 The branches of fir trees drooped under the weight of the fluffy stuff.

It was good we had gotten on the water when we did.  Seize the day.

Brocks Pond Falls

The water was calling and there was a chance of snow.  Rather than take a chance on driving farther afield and returning on snow covered roads, Dean, Neville and I settled on a paddle from St. Philips to Portugal Cove.  We exited the harbour and headed north long the coast.

It was cool but comfortable.  The evidence of the cold weather of the last few days was plastered on the cliffs as icicles.

There was the gentlest of swells running in the bay.  We were surprised by the violent collision on the shore in spite of the gentle swell.

Away from shore the swell was imperceptible.

The places we usually paddle through were just too rough today.  Most passages were too narrow to chance being thrown up on the rocks.  Most that is, with the exception of a passage just before Portugal Cove.  There the water was as violent washing over the rocks but with enough water in behind, the waves dissipated in confused aerated water.

We got to Portugal Cove, discussed options and without deadlines we decided to paddle on to have a look at Brocks Pond Falls.  With all the icicles we had already seen we thought the falls would be quite a spectacle.
 

North of Portugal Cove the cliffs drop straight down into the sea.  The greater depth of water meant less action along the shoreline.

Brocks Pond Falls did not disappoint.  There was still running water but there was a lot of ice.  We hung out a bit listening to the running water before we turned our bows south, back towards Portugal Cove and St. Philips.

Three hours in the kayaks and 20 kms under our hulls, we decided we were due a fish and chips at By the Beach Restaurant.  And then some coffee.  One of us, I think, was trying to avoid work waiting at home ;) ;)

Tempus fugit

Today is December 14th.  Egad, December is almost over and the year as well.  Its been a blur when I think back to this past year's New Year Day paddle in Quidi Vidi.

I haven't paddled as much this year but there are still lots of memorable moments on the water.  With fewer trips there will be fewer to pick from as the top paddles of the year. Nevertheless, over the next couple of days I'll go over my calendar to pick out 10.  It will be a look back but at the same time I'll be thinking of next year and thinking about new coasts to paddle.

Time flies and sadly I can't seem to do anything about slowing it down.  The only option is to take advantage of every day, like we did last weekend at Bay Bulls where I caught Dean making headway in the challenging conditions.

Sweeping out the cobwebs

Its been a month since I've had a day paddle and three weeks since I was in my boat at all.  But I have  good excuse.  I figured my thumb had healed enough and I was going to get out.  I was going to sweep out the cobwebs.

 Dean, Tobias and I met at Bay Bulls on a cool morning but without wind it was comfortable enough.  The coast along inner reaches of Bay Bulls is low rocks topped by stunted fir and spruce.

A gentle swell inside meant it was likely rough outside in the open ocean.  When the swell hit the rocks it turned the water to foam.

The low laying terrain soon gave way to more impressive cliffs.  In the small coves the water got more confused as clapotis interacted with the incoming waves.

 Tobias enjoying the day.

At the headland it got pretty gnarly.  On this day we stayed further off shore because getting caught inside the break zone would have resulted in serious consequences.  For sure the Baboul Rocks were off limits today.

We paddled in the open ocean feeling the power of the sea as far as South Head and within sight of Gull Island.  Content with that much, we turned and returned to Bay Bulls.  I was so happy to be back paddling; it felt like I had met a long lost friend.  Thanks Dean and Tobias for mking the day possible.

Free marine charts

Tobias found a site with on-line marine charts that I thought I'd share with the wider community.  It doesn't seem to give the same level of detail is given as paper charts. 

For example, it doesn't give the frequency of the light at Cape Spear so therefore, probably not the others either.  It doesn't seem to show rocks, current info and such but does show water depth.  Is it useful?  Yes, I think so but then again I prefer to use topo maps as opposed to marine charts.  Each to their own.  I don't complain when its free and if I thought I needed more detail I'd go buy the paper chart.

The interesting thing is that it also covers a wide area, including the British Isles.  Anyway, here is the link .