OK, folks, this is the first of a series of posts I’m going to do on my very recent paddling trip to Baja California. I got back on Sunday night after a deliriously awesome five days paddling in the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez. This post is a simple one. A picture, which may or may not be worth 1000 words, of my two pals crossing a nice little stretch of water with a crop of redstone in the foreground.
Stop the Itching
I posted the how to get yourself out of quicksand post earlier this morning and it got me thinking about doing another post on something we all deal with when heading out of doors. Bug bites and how to treat them.
I am actually sitting here at my desk after a long, amazing week paddling in baja California. I am going to be posting a series of dispatches on the trip shortly, but in the meantime my arms, face and legs are covered with nasty, itchy bug bites. Why do these bites itch? Good question.
Yes, I had deet with me and yes I applied it liberally. But it didn’t seem to do much to stop the black no-see-ums that descended on us in a cloud. To make matters worse, I fell asleep the last night on the beach and left my head uncovered. So now I look like the victim of a small pox epidemic.
And so I can focus on writing and my work rather than itching, I was looking for something to ease the suffering, to help stop the scratching. Turns out (unless I’m wrong, of course) there really don’t seem to be a lot of great remedies out there. Calamine lotion, sure, but it really doesn’t do a great job and you end up with those lousy pink/white splotches on your skin. Whta about applying cold? That doesn’t last very long. Baking soda…maybe, but I doubt it. This site recommends covering yourself with scotch tape which sounds kinky, but rather dubious.
Does anyone out there have any good, functional recommendations? How to stop the itching?
NG’s Adventurer of the Year Award
Some serious congrats out to two modern adventurers, Magellans if you will, who were recently awarded National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year award. The award went to Colin Angus and Julie Wafaei, a very hard-core couple of activist travelers. The pair pulled off a rather amazing feat, even in this day and age when it would seem so many of the great adventures have been thought of and accomplished. The pair circumnavigated the globe entirely on human power. they began their journey in their hometown of Vancouver, Canada, way back in June 2004 and then via canoe, hiking, biking and skiing made their way through tough terrain and some even tougher circumstances to accomplish their goal.
We blogged a bit about them earlier this year, but there is lots of information about the feat here ,as well as a sublimely cool video from some of their expedition here.
Paddling in Baja
I am off for a week or so to Baja, California (also known as Mexico) to paddle for a week and circumnavigate Isla Espiritu Santo.
We’re flying into Cabo and then making the drive to La Paz where we meet up with the good folks at Sea and Adventures, Inc. I’ll be bringing along a video camera and a still camera and, barring hurricanes and other catastrophes, should have some marvelous footage after the trip.
It is a much-needed week of respite for me. Hanging out with some old friends on the Sea of Cortez is about as perfect an antidote to the burdens and obligations of work and city-life as I can imagine.
So, Neil, Adrienne and Company will be taking over while I’m off. BTW: we’ve done some new hiring here at gadling, so keep an eye out for new voices and new perspectives.
Rafting “the Fu” (in the Andes)
Apparently, if you’re a kayak-maniac (you know who you are), you’ve heard of “the Fu,” aka the Futaleufu River, spilling down out of the Andes from Patagonia, through Chile, into the Pacific.
Some of the river’s rapids are so technically demanding that they weren’t ridden until 1985 (by a U.S. Olympic kayaker, nonetheless). Well, now that he’s blazed the trail, he’s set up Expediciones Chile, an outfitter designed to help you accomplish the same feat.
An FT reporter did just that, with a little help, and lived to write about it. You can sample the 40+ miles of whitewater and breath-taking scenery that the river offers, including Class V’s spilling right down from the mountains. Tours start from $1,600 USD for an 8-day trip (travel there not included). He recommends using the service and the trip, but recommends leaving your ego behind.