Baja Vaca Muerte

Mark · Sat Dec 29, 07 10:51 am

Wow that brings back memories...

Love that place. thanks for the pics! Was there any noticable damage from the hurricanes?

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

I didn't see anything obvious Mark.
Noticed several new casitas built since we were there a few years ago.
And there are couple more food options.
Heck, now you can buy Nutella crêpes or green-chile/cheese crêpes and iced lattes just above the beach.

gottaloope' · Since 01 Sep 2007 16 Posts seattle/laventana Â

It was nice to have all of the Revs in town here from the gorge. It felt just like beggars canyon back home. Gman and the gang, thanks for all of the great pics, well done! We will try to post some more pics from a different angle to keep the stoke going after u gize leave.
G10

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Back home in the sunny pacific NW Confused

Here are a few more photos from the last day of riding.

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 764 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

hey Kodiak, Gman and Rollo,

i am about to take my first trip down to la ventana. your pics inspired me to get going with a vacation down that way.

any advice you can give as to what to expect? anything you didn't bring that you wish you would have?

i see some people with booties in the photos and some without. it looks sandy but, have heard from others about some urchins that you could step on.

much appreciated.

kt

boarderchick · Since 10 Aug 2007 196 Posts Wherever there's wind:-) Stoked

This was my first trip down, but I do have a few words of advice.

Take warm clothes. We packed mostly shorts and a couple of sweatshirts. I think in the 10 days I wsa there I wore long pants and sweatshirt/hat at night on 9/10.

Also if you have room pack a long wetsuit. I got by with a shorty and a long sleeve top over it, but a long wetsuit would have been nice.

The booties are for the sharp rocks. There are a few places with mostly sandy beaches, but heading out you have to be careful. The first day the tide was very low and both myself and Janet got several cuts on our feet. I tried to body drag pretty far out after the first day. Coming in, I basically just ride right up to the beach and jump off so I don't have to worry about it. The booties are pretty thin, so I think if you step on an urchin it will go right through.

All in all it was a great place with steady dependable wind and nice swell. The other thing was that everyone I met down there was super nice and helpful. If you don't speak spanish I would recommend a spanish/english dictionary, because almost none of the locals speak english. It is pretty easy to find other americans that can help you out though.

this was Kodiak, didn't see that Janet was still logged in.

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

Ditto Kodiak plus ask at every launch/land spot where best to be situated so you don't slice your foot like I did too. (I'd still go with the shorty and optional long sleeve top).

Do lots of downwinders from the hot springs. Nice launch beach and good wind.

Oh, and stop off at the Pablo's bar across from the campground everynight and have a Margarita or two to take the aches and pains away! Very Happy

If you have time plan a day trip to Todos Santos. Nice Surfing/Artsy town with some good eats. But watch for cows, potholes and traffic and try not to drive at night if possible.

Mostly just bring a good 'tude and you'll have a great time.

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

Garret · Since 07 Sep 2006 254 Posts Portland Obsessed

Nice shots Kodiac- I wouls agree on the warmer cloths for evening time. Don't miss the pastry guy- comes on Tues and Sat- starts around 11am at Yo-Yo's.Drives around in a mini van- yummy treats Very Happy

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 764 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

hi all,

thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

kt

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

One other suggestion regarding food.

Go out to eat before you are hungry. It takes forever to get your food at most places. Half the time we would go grab a hot dog (crack dog) and take it with us to tide us over while waiting for the food.

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

mmm... crack dogs....
de-licious and the taste is only exceeded by their nutritional value

marina c · Since 03 Apr 2006 318 Posts California/Gorge Summer Obsessed

hi all and Happy New Year!

I cannot attach the pdf of the Feature The Kiteboarder Magazine did on La Ventana in the SeptOct07 issue. Many have found it very helpful so thought some of you might too:-) The link is:

http://www.theringmedia.com/PDFS/TheKiteboarder/TheKiteboarder.October2007.pdf

Be sure to save it as a pdf so you can access the links!

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 764 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

thanks marina. i remember reading that one and gone over it again.

how about a weather forecast? anyone have a good link or two for la ventana?

where did you guys exchange money? U.S. airport or in mexico?

thanks
kt

marina c · Tue Jan 08, 08 7:25 am

a good website to ask questions is www.bestoflaventana.com

Mike Godsey of Ikitesurf.com also provides a baja forecast and I believe daily report

RE: money, I just used dollars down there... didn't exchange...but I belive the best place to exchange money is La Paz.

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

Yes US dollars work fine also found that foreign exchange at the historic US bank downtown pdx (6th&stark) had the best rate.

best forecasting was done by the locals but otherwise I used IKitesurf and
as a general guidline 10day forecast for LaPaz. though it's much more windy at LV this was a good indicator.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/tenday/MXBS0006?dp=windsdp

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 764 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

thanks for the info.

yeah, as soon as i posted the question about the weather, i thought of ikitesurf.com about 2 seconds later.

i also found one from weatherunderground.com:

http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/76405.html?bannertypeclick=infobox

kt