The Gear I Used and Why

I conceptualized my concept almost 3 years earlier than I really put a paddle within the water. I had pace bumps, hurdles, tragedies, and private woes all to beat earlier than really setting out on what I assumed was going to be a 2-month journey.

Except for the monumental bodily and psychological hurdles in place to paddle 1,000 miles on a slender inflatable, the gear required to take action was additionally a head-scratcher.

What gear did I take advantage of for a 123-day, 1,000-mile journey down Baja’s Sea of Cortez? It took years of planning, years of working, and a few generosity to seek out out what I’d want … and for it to all make its method onto my board.

Right here is the record of drugs used for anybody on the market considering the identical Baja-bound or related journey. The gear I used advanced as a lot because the tides swung and waves broke on the journey, so take what you’ll from my expertise and adapt accordingly.

Standup Paddling Baja’s Sea of Cortez: The Gear I Used

Gear on Deck

The Paddleboard

I had a relationship with Pau Hana main as much as the journey, however hadn’t talked to them about it. I emailed them, pitching the thought. Crickets. Then with a catcher’s mitt diving to succeed in the foul ball method out at left area, an electronic mail got here via and the Endurance XL got here into my foresight.

It’s loaded with lashing factors the place the quantity of drugs you would tie down is insane. The size anxious me at solely 12 toes, however the weight-carrying capability was mind-boggling. At 415 kilos, it could be the right ratio of tie-downs and weight stowage to face up to what I used to be going to place it via.

Design-wise, it additionally has Ricochet expertise that permits it to be dragged up and down the shore with a troublesome materials defending its backside. I did puncture holes within the board and repaired accordingly, however this board was with out query the unsung hero of the journey. Learn my full overview of the board.

Straps and Cargo Internet

Pau Hana sells individually a cargo web strapping system designed for the Endurance XL and some different boards. It’s a rugged and durable cargo web with eight circle metallic rings designed to cinch down gear to the deck of the board.

The board itself has 30 threaded attachment factors on the deck in addition to down the rail of the board, so the gear will be strapped down in entrance of you whilst you paddle, in addition to behind. I used 10 of those factors of contact to maintain my gear stowed safely, each in entrance of me and behind me.

I capsized in tough seas and thought that not solely did I lose all my gear, however I used to be now in a survival scenario in the course of nowhere. However I used to be in a position to flip my board again over and noticed that not solely was all my gear nonetheless tied into place, however my cargo barely even shifted from its authentic place.

I trusted my life with this cargo web strapping system and would achieve this once more.

Gear on My Individual (Attire)

Tops

Solar safety was all the things, so I went with Patagonia’s Tropic Consolation Pure UPF Hoody. With pure solar safety and a hood to cowl my neck and bald head, this was my day by day prime.

Bottoms

Once more, solar safety was all the things, and I by no means wore shorts whereas on the water. So I wore REI’s Sahara Cargo Pants. They sadly don’t make these anymore, however they have been nice and never as soon as did I get a sunburn on my physique throughout my paddle.

Sneakers

I by no means paddled barefoot due to the solar, so I wanted full-toed footwear. I went with Columbia’s Trailstorm H2O Shoe. It’s a water shoe that has an honest tread for exploring and strolling the cities and landscapes. They survived over 1,000 miles of coast, and I’ve nothing however optimistic issues to say about them.

Gloves

For solar safety and blisters, I went with NRS’s Boater’s Gloves. I didn’t get sunburned however did have blisters. However given the character of my day by day paddling, I’m undecided a single glove available in the market may defend towards even that.

Sun shades

I’m as irresponsible because it will get in terms of sun shades, however given my blue eyes, I wanted polarization. Fortunately, Goodr makes low-cost and epic sun shades, they usually have been my go-to for the journey.

Base Layer & Heat Layers

For tenting when the nighttime desert temperatures dipped down, I introduced a Patagonia R1 base layer prime and backside. I additionally had Patagonia’s Nanopuff Jacket for these chilly mornings and cooler evenings when the winds blew arduous.

Paddle(s)

I knew to have the ability to paddle over 1,000 miles, I used to be going to want a stable paddle, not these junky and heavy aluminum ones offered at Costco. So I bought a QuickBlade Trifecta carbon fiber paddle. I doubted its efficiency for that lengthy, however shouldn’t have. It did simply high quality and thrived with every stroke whereas pushing me and all my heavy gear from begin to end.

I did have a backup paddle: Pau Hana’s Endurance SUP Paddle was at all times strapped to my board in case I wanted it.

Dry Luggage

SealLine Professional Dry Pack 120L

I knew what dry bag I needed for the journey, and SealLine’s 120L Professional Dry Pack was the primary of three. I dropped it, dragged it, and slammed it down on cactus, coral, and spiny bushes. There isn’t even a scratch on the fabric. This dry bag excelled. Search for a full overview quickly.

Mustang Survival Highwater 60L

I went out on a limb for the remaining two dry packs and trusted fellow coworker and SUP editor at GearJunkie Mary Murphy’s approval on the Mustang Survival Highwater 60L. The Professional Dry Pack was tied to the entrance of my board whereas the Highwater was tied down within the again. It held all of the important second-hand gear and truthfully took the brunt of loads of the tough water splashed over the deck of the board.

I beloved the drawstring and roll-top closures and the quantity of seize handles it provided. When it got here time to rapidly load or unload throughout tough circumstances, this was the bag that I anxious concerning the least. Learn my full overview for extra.

Sea to Summit Large River 13L

The ultimate dry bag I used was Sea to Summit’s Large River. I used the 13L to strap down on prime of the SealLine Professional Dry Pack which held all of my necessary gadgets: passport, pockets, drone, digital camera, and so forth. I beloved the roll-top design and the sturdy materials. It additionally has facet straps that have been excellent to maintain tied right down to something. I trusted this bag probably the most out of all three, and it jogged my memory every day that all the things was (roughly) high quality.

Water

Extra folks have paddled the Inside Passage up alongside the British Columbia and Alaska coast than they’ve Baja’s Sea of Cortez. And an enormous arguing level for that’s water. There isn’t a single freshwater stream that naturally flows into the ocean alongside the coast. So that you’ll both need to carry water with you or discover a method to flip salt water into contemporary. I did each.

Reliance Outside Jugs

I carried with me a minimal of 5 gallons of contemporary water for every part of my journey. In between I deliberate out cities and/or fish camps the place I may probably purchase or barter for water. I used Reliance Outside’s Aqua-Stack 5-gallon jug for the majority of my water carrying.

It’s comparatively low in peak in comparison with the others in the marketplace, and I may simply tie it to the deck of my board. However in 90-100-degree warmth, these treasured 5 gallons would final 3 days, tops. So I needed to improvise.

MSR Dromedary

I additionally was loaned a Dromedary Bag from a good friend midway down the peninsula. MSR’s 10L Dromedary Bag accompanied me for the rest of the journey.

Nalgene

I carried with me a basic 1L Nalgene water bottle. It’s light-weight, and the plastic lid loop was excellent for me to hook up with my dry pack.

Katadyn Survivor 35

Now, the ultimate piece of my water puzzle was my Reverse Osmosis hand pump. I wasn’t even going to think about this journey with out one. I searched excessive and low to discover a considerably moveable hand pump that I may flip saltwater into contemporary and bumped into lifeless finish after lifeless finish. Till I got here throughout Katadyn’s Survivor 35.

These should not offered at REI. I discovered one on a navy surplus retailer’s web site and made the excruciating buy. It’s heavy, cumbersome, costly, and gradual. However it saved my life a number of instances on the journey.

It pumps about 1 L of contemporary water in a half hour. So, it isn’t environment friendly and isn’t one thing I needed to depend on. However I’m grateful for it.

Tenting Gear

Tent

I went with the Large Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1. Tremendous light-weight and packs away very small so I can save room for the remainder of the heavy and ponderous gear.

Sleeping Bag

After I completed the Pacific Crest Path in 2015, I used to be working facet by facet with Rab and Lowe Alpine. They gifted me their 15-degree Neutrino Professional Down Sleeping Bag. This bag was past overkill, as most nights I might sleep on prime of it for the way sizzling it was.

Sleeping Pad

I’ve popped so many air pads in the marketplace that I’ve utterly misplaced curiosity in any respect in them. I additionally didn’t wish to spend power pumping up a pad after a super-long and arduous day on the water. So I stayed with the Therm-a-Relaxation Z Pad.

Gear for Cooking

Range

The Jetboil Zip goes in all places with me. It’s quick and environment friendly and stows away completely. It additionally comes with a French press adapter for espresso, which has modified my backcountry sport since 2015. Lengthy are the times of prompt espresso.

Utensils

All the time with me comes the Sea to Summit Alpha Gentle Lengthy Spork. It was excellent for reaching deep into these previous couple of grinds of espresso and the remaining refried beans within the bag.

I additionally introduced with me my Swiss Military knife. It comes with me on each journey, and was nice for flicking away spiders and scorpions out of camp.

Electronics and Equipment

Photo voltaic

Given the character of my work and needing to doc, I wanted a critical charging sport. Fortunately, Baja’s desert and climate may assist me on this regard and I went with the Jackery Photo voltaic Saga 60 panel. It’s the smallest within the model’s line and is probably the most reasonably priced. And due to its water resistance, I went with it in case my dry bag sprung a leak.

Energy Financial institution(s)

With the photo voltaic, I introduced the Jackery Explorer 160 Transportable Energy Station. This will have been overkill to herald conjunction with the photo voltaic panel, however given the character of all the things I needed to cost, it was superior to have.

GPS & Watch

I used the Garmin inReach Mini2. It has an epic battery life, and I purchased the expedition plan so I may ship as many messages as I needed every month in addition to get a day by day climate forecast. I additionally wore the Suunto 5 GPS watch. It was nice because it tracked my mileage and energy burned.

Headlamp

I went with Petzl’s Actik Core for its USB rechargeable capabilities. Its battery life is insane, and it accompanied me effectively throughout my early morning paddles.

Digicam

I’ve not up to date my digital camera in years, however I used my Sony Mirrorless A6000 with a Tamron 18-200 lens. This setup labored nice for my wants and was USB rechargeable.

Sore topic, however I purchased the GoPro11 for the journey and ended up dropping it into the water, by no means to be seen once more. However beloved it once I had it! A GoPro nonetheless deserves a spot on this gear record.

Drone

I didn’t wish to use or purchase a drone on the journey ,as I used to be solo and capturing self-shot photographs of myself whereas I paddled appeared not simply annoying, however almost unimaginable. However I used to be satisfied and acquired the DJI Mini 2. And I’ll say, the pictures I used to be in a position to get when the circumstances allowed made it value it. And I may USB recharge.

Fan

Given how sizzling the nights have been, a small fan made it doable to sleep. I went with a Goal-bought, Holmes USB-rechargeable fan. It looks like an odd and ponderous factor to carry, nevertheless it saved me a number of instances.

Meals

Except for water, meals was at all times the following massive query. And given the conservancy of my contemporary water, I couldn’t actually prepare dinner or make meal kits like most of us do within the backcountry. Most of my meals have been simply chilly tortillas and bean and cheese burritos. I might pack out chips or tostadas to combine it up, however sadly, virtually each meal was chilly burritos.

If I used to be in a position to cease in a city, I might pack out city-made tacos or tortas or carry some meat cooked in foil. I thrived on peanut butter and Ritz Crackers. Sandwiches too, and I ate extra bars than I knew what to do with.

Miscellaneous Gear

Fly Rod

I introduced a ten-weight fly rod and flies with hopes of catching a roosterfish. However sadly, that by no means occurred. However I did get right into a handful of different species that made all of it value it.

Tripod

For lots of my self-timed pictures, I wanted a tripod. I introduced with me a Slik tripod and it labored nice…till the saltwater almost corroded it shut.

Conclusion

This journey gave me nightmares. The winds would hang-out me at evening, drove me to wake early and paddle earlier than the solar acquired too sizzling, in addition to enticed me in with every white sand seashore with crystal clear water.

I realized to be current and settle for that Mom Nature wasn’t for me or towards me; she simply is what she is.

I don’t actually have a pinpoint as to why I selected to aim this journey, a lot much less on a SUP. Given the character of the quantity of drugs in addition to the ache of getting to cope with the burden and fear of contemporary water in a desert, it’s protected to say why I do know nobody, to my information, has tried to paddle this coast on a SUP.

Now since finishing the journey, I might think about leaving a number of issues house. However on the similar time, every performed a job in serving to me down the coast. I’m thrilled on the alternative to maintain pushing the boundary of expedition SUP journeys. I hope this one, together with all of the gear, will assist information adventures of your personal.