Exploring Baja Sur
During the months of April and May I had the opportunity to do some in depth exploring of the Baja California Sur region in order to lay the framework for further trips in this biodiverse desert wonderland. My goal during this time was to develop relationships with local guides, and do lots of hiking and wildlife observation while setting up remote camera trap stations to get a pulse on animal activity in the areas we plan on recreating. These periods of scouting in Baja may seem romanticized to the outside observer, however they truly do require lots of work and dedication. From troubleshooting mechanical failures on my truck, to piecing together trip itineraries in my mind as I’m physically moving through these environments, when you’re exploring alone in Baja you feel as though the internal mechanisms of your mind are constantly moving. However that becomes the natural state of things when you’re driven by passion, and oftentimes your guiding North Star turns into a smoldering ball of fire that feeds your energy and lights the surrounding world around you. It’s difficult to convey the amount of energy one commits when in the pursuit of “knowing” a geographic region on an intimate level. I have friends who have committed themselves to this path through the pursuit of hunting wild goats in the volcanic highlands of Kauai and Roosevelt Elk in the rainforests of upper Washington state. Both require an incredible amount of commitment, but most of all, patience. The recipe here is a slow burn with a refined touch, a technique developed over thousands of hours of observation and repetition. Like the master mezcalero gripping his spade with iron wrought hands, trimming the agave, then roasting it over oak coals in an earthen pit for several days. Drop by drop, Mezcal pours from a bamboo distillation tube, just as our slowly crafted elixir of knowledge drips to fill the chalice of life. Trip after trip, these forays deep into Baja build onto themselves, accumulating into a vast well of cultural and ecological knowledge. It’s my intention of sharing these insights gained from the road with those of you following along on trips, or tagging along from the comfort of your home.
Pictured here is a resident Gray Fox taken by one of my camera trap stations on the East Cape of Baja California Sur. Although many US nationals and expatriates alike hold onto a territorial mindset regarding surfing in this region, my aim is to highlight the biodiversity of the East Cape as the majority of travelers in this zone solely focus on surfing. On our trips we aim to focus on understanding “Big Picture” concepts, while recreating in them. What better way to end a day hiking an arroyo while learning about the hydrologic cycle and sedimentation than surfing a wave that is a byproduct of these very functions?
Loreto Bay Marine Park with our guide and panga captain Rodolfo. Born and raised fishing the waters off Loreto’s coastline, Rodolfo has an intimate connection with the park’s marine ecosystems. Here we were on our way to explore several camping and hiking options on Isla Carmen and Isla Coronado. I will be offering these island camping and hiking trips starting this October!
Doing some quality control assessment during a south swell at the world famous San Juanico aka Scorpion Bay.
Your adventure to the nearshore islands of Loreto Bay Marine Park begins here, the humble marina