Mexico

[canoe]

Planning on going to Vercruz, Mexico in february to pladdle. anyone have the juju on weather, clothes needed, etc.? dale

[okieboater]

Dale,

I was down there around 2002 I think in January for a week of waterfalls.

This was with outfitter Grant Amaral of Expeditiones Agua Azul who had a small rustic lodge on the Micos River. It was a couple hours via bus inland from Veracruz.

He put on a nice week of local runs with big air waterfalls and we did the Santa Maria and a few other neat runs plus other noteworthy water falls. I remember Grant's advice on doing waterfalls IE paddle up to the edge look down and enjoy the ride --- water at that time was warm, full of bubbles and it was a beautiful clear blue due to the rocks etc. The water was so bubbly and soft that none of us got hurt even on the 25 footers.

I remember the days paddle gear being just a dry top and not much else. Grants lodge was mostly outdoor living and I remember we needed a sweater or light jacket at night but it was delightful weather all around.

Have not been in touch with Grant since then but he was one of the first US boaters to open up a lot of rivers in that area

I think Leland of NC kayak creek boat fame is now doing a week of rivers down there and using a super nice hotel to base out of.

Good luck on the trip, I had enough fun to do it again, just never got around to it. Local food was good and drinks were even better. I remember the little town Grant was close to had a open front bar that made what was about a 40 plus oz glass of local booze, milk and shaved ice that were called brain freezes. Grant offered to buy the second one for those who would drink them. I took him up on it and more or less had to have a lot of help getting back to his surburban boating truck. I don't think any one did three of those drinks. It was a hoot.

[FarPastGone]

I have probably posted this 20 times, but I have been down to the Valles area the last two years prior to this year. I was not able to go down this year, but in the past we have gone down the week before Thanksgiving through Thanksgiving week so we get higher levels on everything down there. Some of my buddies from Texas just got back and reported the Micos/Salto were still good, Ojo Frio was out, Verde was out, Minas Viejas was out, and Santa Maria was a good level. The water this year is far less then last year, granted it was a high water year in 08, and less then two years ago. The only time I have paddled in anything more then a shorty down there was the Santa Maria just because it was long, okie is right though, some nights are cool.

Vera Cruz is a whole different ballpark, I have never made it that far, but would love to get on the Alseseca (sp?) at some point. Leland will be in South America around that time, and Grant Amaral bases out of Agua Azul (further south then VC) now after some conflict last season with locals (although he still operates a campsite along the Micos). Not sure if either operates in VC, but there is another group of American boaters that runs trips down there.

I would also assume the levels in Vera Cruz will be better in February then the Valles area because they have had more rain, If you are looking to do a couple week long trip then maybe look into Agua Azul (Oaxaca/Chiapas area) because that area has had substantially more rain then Valles and more then VC, I think they had like 20,000 displaced by flooding. Unless you are down there already, I would say skip the Micos/Valles area in February and save your money because it will be low-water channelized Lt. Dan stuff if it is even there by that point.

-Matt

[okieboater]

Interesting, now that you bring it up, Grant was having some problems with his neighbors along the Micos. Something about cutting each other's trees if memory correct. I know it was brought up several times while we were there. Grant had a local lady who was a great cook. But, he was just starting out on the little sleeping huts there at the property he owned and they were pretty, rustic. IE bring your own sleeping bag and pad type of thing.

I hear Leland's trips tho use a extremely nice hotel to base out of.

[FarPastGone]

I PM'ed you okieboater.

-Matt

[Victor Caballeros]

Ahhhh Vercruz was beautiful in Jan of 2001 or 02? can't remember which one! I was swimming in the ocean and laying on the beach. I do remember that the Locals down there thought I was crazy. But I do remember I was wearing just shorts only, and sometimes a tank top. It got a little cool at night.

[Victor Caballeros]

Oh yeah My dad runs a bus line that goes down into mexico or in the USA. If there was a big group that would want to go down there and kayak he would do a straight trip for us and bring us all back. It wouldn't cost to much a person if there where 40-50 people wanting to go. Everyone split the cost, and there is plenty of room under the bus for boats.

I was Just thinking!!! He's been doing this for 3 years and I just thought of it????

[okieboater]

People might think bus travel down there is sketchy. Based on seeing film of the local buses loaded down with tied on stuff and people riding on the roof.

On the other hand, we rode the "deluxe" bus over to Valles. It was not much more cost and had plush seats, a bathroom and a video player. He made a few stops but for the most part made excellent time. These deluxe busses are cheap and a great way to travel down there.

On the way back to the states, several of us spent a extra day in Veracruz. We just spent the day walking around. There was a festival that night and we joined in and were treated like we lived there. I got the impression there is a lot of history in that town and if I went back would get a local sightseeing outfit to tour the city.

A great place to boat and sight see!

[rickyrod]

Just talked to one of my uncles in Tepic (nayarit) . He's coming up for xmas, so i asked for ya. he said if ur in veracruz you still want to dress heavy at night, but the days are in the 70 t 80 dec. dipping in to the 50's at night but that's in the bad winters, he said he has seen snow in feb. in veracruz and Oxaca.only in the higher elv. tho. but this year up till now has been mild and so has the rain, he called it a mid dry winter. good news for them they loose coffe crops to tomuch rain. mabee he's beeing optamistic.

Planning on going to Vercruz, Mexico in february to pladdle. anyone have the juju on weather, clothes needed, etc.? dale

[FarPastGone]

tho. but this year up till now has been mild and so has the rain, he called it a mid dry winter.

Maybe for Nayarit, but sounds like Tabasco and Vera Cruz have had lots of water:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/ ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Victor Caballeros]

That's what he runs is the Nice with a Tv screen and recliner seated bus with a nice bathroom instead of the port a potty inside a bus.

It was just a thought to charter a bus by ACC

[rickyrod]

a guy here work that grew up in veracruz just told me that the coldest part of the year is december. the wettest is in sept. he say's that feb is dry. when i was there in in oct.of 2000, it rained like clockwork same time everyday was there for two months. and matt i dont think the rivers will hold for two months. but may be wrong. as far as the weather he said it's super nice in Veracruz as a resident he's clearly talking as a history. but thinks change, the locals think they got rain insted of cold this winter. cus it's warmer than last year.and said his family was NOT part of the dissplaced.FROM THE FLOOD THAT HIT A MONTH AGO THERE.

[T Yamashita]

Wow! You are are posting some great Beta for a Mexico trip. Wish I were heading down!
ty

[canoe]

Go with us!! dale

[canoe]

By the way, did I mention that we are(Andy Monfee and I), are going with a company out of Canada(Esprit), based out of Jahmulco(?spelling), and will be paddling with Eli Herbert, probably the best open boater in the world? Dale