KayakVagabond

the website of Greg Stamer

Archive for the ‘Newfoundland2008’ Category

cliffs

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.

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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.

overheating

Posted by derrick on July 9, 2008

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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.

Around Port Au Port

Posted by derrick on July 8, 2008

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 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!

crossing & a rest

Posted by derrick on July 6, 2008

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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!

Northbound

Posted by derrick on July 4, 2008

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 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.

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 * Humpback image by Whit Welles.

sh. sh. sh. SHARK!!

Posted by derrick on July 3, 2008
WIKI IMAGE, SHARK
 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.
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*shark pic from Wiki

fins

Posted by derrick on June 30, 2008
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First Internet access! I’m in the public library in Burgeo making the best of a weather day. Strong winds and rain continue to fall. I’m hoping to be off again tomorrow, but time will tell. I visited the local market and am eating everything in sight. Did you know that strawberry and rhubarb pie goes well with Moose and beer? ;^) My original “freeze-dried” meals are gone and I am picking up local fare as I go — including salt cod and moose. I’m eating much higher calorie foods than on my Iceland trip, so haven’t noticed any weight loss. On a tip from Kevin at Travel Country Outdoors (the shop where I work) I have been loading up all my meals with olive oil to add calories.

 

Grey River

Posted by derrick on June 29, 2008

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From Greg:  N47 35.31 W57 06.25 Grey River. 65k. Overcast but bright with very little fog. Scale of fiords is fantastic. Saw a Humpback whale & 2 eagles. Re-provisioned food in Grey River. Kayak pulled up next to fishing boats. . . looks like part of the fleet.

Crossed Fortune Bay to the South Coast

Posted by derrick on June 28, 2008

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From Greg: N47 36.73 W56 23.73 Richard’s Harbour. 63k. Rain & fog. Double crossing of Fortune & Hermitage Bays. Many whales,  blow spouts everywhere. Whale surfaced within 30 feet of kayak! Boat repairs worked day hatch bone dry.

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another day

Posted by derrick on June 27, 2008

This from MR. STAMER; Another weather day on Brunette island. Winds dropping. Expect to cross to S coast tomorrow. Beautiful sunny day. Took opportunity to make boat repairs. Day hatch compartment was leaking thru bolts in bulkhead. Applied caulk. Also fixed chine gel coat damage from rock impact with epoxy putty.

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In sea kayaking it is generally accepted that leaks. . . are bad.