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Day 143

4/27/2010

5 Comments

 
Daily stats
Start: 7:15 AM- Tybee Island, GA
Finish: 5:15 PM - Otter Island, SC
Time: 10:00
Daily dist: 43 miles
Total dist: x miles
Companions: None
Weather: WINDY from the west at 15-20 mph - clear to cloudy and back to clear
Notes: Probably the roughest day so far. Spent an hour and a half dealing with very steep waves while crossing St. Helena sound.
Picture
john from SKGA helped me get my gear to the water and saw me off this morning
My introduction to paddling the coast in South Carolina proved to be an exciting one. A strong west wind and a heading of northeast or east for most of the day meant a tail wind which allowed me to make very good progress toward Charleston. Navigation today was a fairly simple affair where most of what I needed to do was keep land on my left and paddle until I saw a potential camp spot away from houses or buildings. In route three sounds (river mouths) created gaps in the shore line allowing the wind an unhindered blast over the water. Crossing the sounds proved to be a bit challenging due to more and larger waves as well as breaking waves created by off shore sand shoals. The Savanna River and Port Royal sounds passed by without much more than a splash through waves over a shoal. St. Helena Sound however, proved to be some of the most challenging conditions I’ve dealt with so far.
The wind blew hard out of the west all day and the marine weather was saying that it was going to blow from the NW at 25 to 30 mph this evening and 10-15 mph from the NW tomorrow. The northwest wind will be a bit of a head wind tomorrow and a strong blow tonight will get the seas riled up well before dawn. Bucking against a head wind in choppy water would not be a pleasant experience so I decided that rather than camp on the West end of St. Helena sound tonight I’d take advantage of a tail wind and put in a couple extra hours to get the six mile crossing done today.
Picture
Omnious bare tree near camp
Unlike the other two crossings, the run across St. Helena sound put me on a track heading mostly north. From the mouth of the sound it opens up into a wide and deep bay orientated roughly east to west. The wind had been building all day to well over 20mph sustained. Because St. Helena sound is so wide and deep it allowed that strong wind to whip the surface of the ocean into quite a frenzy. It was out there in 3 to 5 foot whitecapping waves that I paddled for an hour and a half to make it across the sound. It started out quiet enough but as the first mile passed behind me I came into some of the roughest water I’ve had to deal with on the trip so far. The conditions didn’t allow time to stop paddling for a break instead it was continuous paddling to move forward toward more sheltered water miles away combined with frequent bracing to remain upright.
Picture
Out of the wind at last
When I finally did make it to shore I was very tired but happy to have the crossing over with. I really didn’t want to run the risk of doing the crossing with head winds into equally sloppy conditions tomorrow. In order to get a little relief from the wind I set up camp in a cozy spot amongst thick low palm trees. It is a relief to not be getting blown around any more.


5 Comments
Charlotte Key
4/27/2010 01:32:04 pm

Jake,
Surely am glad you got done with that St Helena Sound crossing, that sounded really HAIRY SCARY.... staying upright is a good thing.. You wouldnt want to go over in those kinds of conditions for sure.
I am glad you had a paddling buddy along the way and are continuing to meet some nice folks..
Take care of yourself. BE SAFE! Enjoy the full moon tonight!
Charlotte Key

Reply
Lyn Stachovak
4/28/2010 01:17:52 am

Yikes - sounds like you had yourself a time with that St Helena Sound crossing. Take care and have fun.

Dad and I are on our way to Bear Paw to drop one of your posters off. Great chance to get away from the yard, drive up north and brag about you a little.

Mom

Reply
Kevin Thompson link
4/28/2010 11:17:39 am

Dont do one of my mistakes once, and pack the yak in a hurry not having it balanced right. The Atlantic can bring surprise conditons any time. I know you will continue to keep your head and make wise desisions.

Reply
Tillman and Beth Cuttino
4/28/2010 12:49:03 pm

So sorry that your second foray into South Carolina was so challenging. It has been extremely windy inland as well. We had hoped that our waters would be kinder to you. We feel especially responsible for the conditions since these are some of our stomping grounds...only closer to shore. Our family has access to a house on Edisto Island which actually fronts on the sound. We often paddle out to Pine Island which is next to Otter. We have circumnavigated Otter. Keep your eyes open for Right whales. They are moving along our coast right now...Beth actually saw one in St. Helena Sound a couple of summers ago. Very exciting.
Keep pressing forward...our prayers for you safety and success go with you.
Tillman and Beth Cuttino

Reply
aunt patty
4/28/2010 10:17:32 pm

hey, jake, thanks for the picture of the horses on cumberland island.

Reply



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