Punta Ast Ah Keem to Punta Risco Colorado, October 21st 2004,

The spit we camped on had low damp areas in them and we had parked our kayaks accordingly. The tents were on a high spot that did turn out to be above the high tide line. We put the boats at the edge of this, close to the tents but hopefully next to the water when the tide filled in the low spots. The plan was to pack the boats near the tents and have the tide bring the water to them. This worked out perfectly and we had a shallow pool to float the boats across when we were ready to launch. There still remained a narrow line of gravel above water at the edge of the spit, but this had one gap in it where water came in and we were able to paddle out.

The shrimp fleet had left in the middle of the night and the bay had only a few panga fishermen in it. We hugged the shore and looked for caves and arches on our way out to the main point. We passed a tent with three Mexican marines on duty watching for drug smugglers. They called us over and communicated a need for fishhooks. Don Fleming and I told them that we didn’t have any, and mimed John Somers spearing a fish. Actually we had some fishhooks, but I didn’t want to land and unpack my boat for them. There is an offshore rock on the tip of Punta Ast Ah Keem that is separated from the main island only at high tide. We were able to duck through this gap, then we were on the south side of Isla Tiburon with views of Isla Turner and Roca la Foca. Just around the corner we found a large cave to play in. Then we turned west and hugged the shore. I was able to get a much better picture of the point near Punta Monumento that looks just like a shark to me.

At one time I heard a loud noise next to my boat. When I turned to look a school of mid sized bright yellow fish were jumping out of the water to get away from me. They moved so fast that when the school of them hit the water almost at the same time it made a loud tearing sound. I was out in front of the other kayakers and closest to these fish as they jumped several times, making me laugh out loud for joy each time. Behind me Don growled “Whatever you are doing, stop it. You’re scaring the fish”.

We continued around Punta Risco Colorado which has the most amazing colors and formations in the rocky cliffs. We paddled up to the beach that Dave Littlejohn, Roger Lamb and I had liked so much on my last trip by here. That beach looked a little small and crowded so we landed on a beach right next to it. The larger beach had all the good qualities and more: Gravel for landing the boats on and for me to camp on. Sand for those who like camping on the small stuff that follows you into your sleeping bag. Large rocks for setting the kitchen up on and hanging gear out to dry. Interesting hills behind the beach that we really didn’t spend enough time exploring.