Mexico!

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FarPastGone
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Mexico!

Post by FarPastGone » Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:02 am

It is that time of the year again! Who doesn't love paddling in crystal clear water during the last weeks of November in a shorty top, and the tacos from Richards.

I will be heading down there for the 20th-30th. We should be hitting up some of the classics as well as trying to get a run down the Verde, and the second descent of both a tributary canyon of the upper gorge of the San Nicolas and the upper gorge of the San Nicolas (which was run two weekends ago by a couple Texans who said there is plenty left in there they didn't get).

Will anyone from Arkansas be heading down to Mexico this year? If so, let me know because we should be trying to maximize our boating output for the days we are down there.

On a side note, reports from Texans that have ventured down there already are that the Micos are still closed due to heavy flooding and high waters, and the Tampaon (sic) is like way above flood stage. Should be interesting to see if the Micos will be good to go by Thanksgiving, and if it was damaged by the huge rains they got this season. Saw a couple week old pictures of the Salto and it looks good to go!

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A Savage spanke
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Re: Mexico!

Post by A Savage spanke » Sun Nov 09, 2008 5:56 pm

We've talked about it. Don't think it's going to happen due to lack of support :(
It could be worse, it could stop raining
call to paddle 479.518.0017

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FarPastGone
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Re: Mexico!

Post by FarPastGone » Sun Nov 09, 2008 7:28 pm

Mexico presents lots of issues; available beta is minuscule, the idea of setting shuttle is obscure, the real fear of border crossings and driving on one lane highways, the ever looming issue of "if I eat that what will happen", trying to locate anything in Spanish speaking areas that have about as much tourism as Hardy, AR (just replace the rednecks with us gringos), and all the stories of people having to bribe the policia to get out of completely bogus tickets.

Mexico isn't really that bad. While I did encounter some issues in Monterrey and Monte (I think) last year with the policia, which likely never would have had to happen if we hadn't been lost the first time, or sent a Riot Sniper flying through an intersection going 70 mph the second time. Both were simply solved, and only ended up costing $20 which included a police escort through and to where we needed to be on our way out of Monterrey.

The border is no hassle if you cross real late at night, or sleep at a border town so you can cross first thing in the morning when the bridge opens, especially at Pharr, TX. Getting your Visa is a 5 minute process, and getting tags for your vehicle is just as fast, vehicle insurance can be purchased online via the laptop on the way down with little hassle. Driving on the one lane highways seems f'ed up at first, but you quickly realize that they have a system, and passing is just as easy (if not easier), just remember to use your blinkers.

Pre-trip posts on various message boards makes meeting groups easy, and not to mention that boaters are likely to be at one of about three camps in Valles on the Micos that are cheap, and ensure that you will run into boaters if you stay at one of the 3. While beta may not be as clean cut as jumping on AW to get shuttle logistics, length, rapid beta, and so forth it can usually be obtained from talking to boaters that have been down there before. In most cases if you can help with shuttle then you have shuttle issues taken care of, a crew to run with, and guides for your trip down the river.

Half the fun of Mexico is the sense of adventure of boating in a completely foreign environment. Which honestly would probably not be harbored if the travertine drops of the area and crystal clear waters weren't so inviting. The Spanish culture is brilliant, the food is great, and anyone that says otherwise, well they are doing us all a favor by staying back. Plus German style Mexican lagers are the best beers on the face of this planet, and are the most rewarding post run beverages to share with all your new found friends.

.......there is always next year, and try to drinking something other then Corona if you visit Mexico.

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kayakmamma
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Re: Mexico!

Post by kayakmamma » Sun Nov 09, 2008 7:30 pm

I'd like to go anytime in Dec. after Christmas up through Jan 19th. Any chance of delaying until then? :)
Lorraine McPhee

"Catch every eddy, Surf every wave"

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FarPastGone
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Re: Mexico!

Post by FarPastGone » Sun Nov 09, 2008 7:39 pm

I am comitted to going around Thanksgiving (as most my Dec. will be spent moving to Arkansas), but from just talking to people in Central Texas alone, there will be groups headed down all throughout December and likely in January. Colorado and Alabama (weird combination) boaters always have a prominent presence in Mexico around this time of the year as well.

I would find it hard to believe that you couldn't find a crew from NTexas or Houston going down some time in your range that would be more than happy to let you go. If you weren't able to though there is always a potential to get on a trip with one of the companies that takes people down there. Might have some luck trying to put something up on Luv2Paddle.com.

Also forgot to mention gas is cheap in Mexico.

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kayakmamma
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Re: Mexico!

Post by kayakmamma » Sun Nov 09, 2008 10:01 pm

Thanks! I hope the water levels cooperate when you go down (me too) :D
Lorraine McPhee

"Catch every eddy, Surf every wave"

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Re: Mexico!

Post by JCovas » Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:55 am

I'm trying to get down there this winter. I have to try and pry Javi from his teenage world to get him to go. I am talking to him about just taking the boats down to Corpus for the weekend and just kicking back with the dogs, he says he has a study group with some girls. They must be studying anatomy or something.

How is it down in San Marcos? You guys using the Tumelo yet? I heard it was about that level.
The last time I paddled here was at Longhorn early summer and the flows never seemed to reach the rite level. With all the rain the farmers got bellow us, they probably didn't need the water.
JCovas

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FarPastGone
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Re: Mexico!

Post by FarPastGone » Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:45 pm

JCovas,

I think I saw Javi a few times at RV last year, he is sick for his age, and being from Texas. You should get him down to Mexico if you can, I am sure ya'll would have a blast, even if it meant passing up on girls for a week or so.

My view on RV is jaded, it ran great from early summer last year to this Spring, and I think I got out there at least 5 times a week (when I was around) and many times every day of the week. It maintained a weak hole form up until April/May, and then I left for the summer until the end of August. I missed Longhorn all summer, but at least came back to a somewhat decent wave at RV. It has just gone down hill ever since with the lack of rain (I think we are down 12+ inches). Since September RV has probably only been a decent hole feature no more then 5 times, all short (couple hours) lived due to heavy local rain.

The tumelo has been coming out every so often, it makes a very non-retentive hole that is good for spins, but that is about it. Needless to say very few boaters are coming out unless they are bored, and my attendance has dropped to 1-2 times a week...which is pretty sad considering I live here.

As for Longhorn, I heard they made some alterations to the gates, or something up there, and now along with having the right release gate configuration, the magic number is somewhere in the 2100-2200 cfs range for it to really start forming. Boating affairs are in a really sad state down here, and unfortunately according to the NWS and LCRA the drought conditions are going to persist.

-Matt

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RomanLA
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Re: Mexico!

Post by RomanLA » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:05 am

FarPastGone wrote:The tumelo has been coming out every so often, it makes a very non-retentive hole that is good for spins, but that is about it.
Sounds good to me. I'll probably come visit y'all soon. Are the falls downstream of RV good for learning to boof?

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FarPastGone
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Re: Mexico!

Post by FarPastGone » Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:22 am

Not anymore as the drop has been somewhat converted into a slide. You can't really boof Graduation, so that is out of the question. Cummins Dam is a decent place to practice if you have a boof already, I don't know that I would recommend trying to learn to boof off an 18ft dam that has rebar at the bottom of it in various places though.

I found a drop somewhere in the range of 6-8ft that is a sweet place to work on boofs and freewheels, and then another series of falls about 2 miles downstream that was affectionately named "Many Island Falls". MIF is actually pretty cool and would be fun with water, but is kind of scrapie right now. Only catch is they are SE of San Marcos about an hour to an hour and a half, in the middle of nowhere, require some strenuous flatwater paddling to get to, and potentially shady access ( :P). Good thing is they are E of I-35 and on a river that has release requirements upstream to meet water needs for those downstream, so it has water. Let me know when you are coming, and I can go out there with you, or at least hook you up with how to get out there, where to leave your car, etc...

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Re: Mexico!

Post by knu2xs » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:07 pm

My experiences were mostly limited to the Micos, Salto, Verde and Santa Maria. Still, these trips are among the best ever. Don't forget your waterproof headlamps and glow sticks. The Micos is about the most fun creek I have ever done in the dark!

Driving is class IV-V. If you approach it about the same way as paddling IV-V, you'll have little trouble. In Monterrey, chances are good you will master the Mexican road sport of smerge. Half merging and 3/4 intimidation, it truly is a sport in Mexico. Seconding aforementioned posts, passing truly is easier, once you figure out the system.

For gringos heading down to Mexico who generally do not fall into the standard tourist profile (this would be padders), you will save yourself a boatload of trouble figuring out all the little tricks to traveling off the beaten path by picking up a copy of, The People's Guide to Mexico.

If you do get down that far, it is well worth taking a day off and visiting Las Pozas and eating dinner in the small town closeby, Xilitla. Both are truly amazing places not to be missed.

Have fun...but don't drink the water.
-Joel

Joel McCune .com
"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." -Jack London

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Re: Mexico!

Post by kayakcono » Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:31 pm

Joel, you gotta come on down to the Dominican Republic !! Goin in February (12th - 24th) Freddie

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