Thursday, December 12, 2013

Circumnavigating San Clemente Island, part 1

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"PROBABLY MY FAVORITE ISLAND.  WEATHER, DIVING, ADVENTURE, AND DEALING WITH THE MILITARY!!!!!!!"  

Wrote my dad's friend a few days before we left for San Clemente Island.  He had spent time there in the 1970s, and was excited we were exploring his "old stomping grounds".  

But most of the island was closed, according to the Navy schedule.  Where could we go?


The closure zone map of San Clemente Island

Day 1.

We loaded our crew on a Friday morning in Avalon, Catalina. A light north-east wind was causing a terrible lumpiness through the waters of the normally smooth harbor. 

We snapped an air vent as we dealt with slack-then-taut mooring lines. The "parking lot" of boats was stressfully tight

Filling diesel at $7.30/gallon was no easier in the rocking fuel dock, which threatened to crack our cleats with each roll of swell. 

Leaving from Avalon, Catalina, with the Casino building behind us.

Underway at 11am. 

We investigated the chart. Should we go to the guaranteed anchorage at Pyramid Cove, 40nm away? Our friend had casually mentioned a cove on the exposed west side, about 32nm away. How bad could it be? The forecast called for moderate 15 knot NW winds. 

 It was a gamble. We'd arrive around sunset, so if it was a poor anchorage, we'd have to move in the dark. Not a great idea on our first visit. Would the Navy kick us out? I was totally unsure what would happen. 

 I really wanted to see all the sides of the island. Aldebaran is a solid boat, with strong anchor gear.  Our anchor windlass has been faulty, but I had 3 other crew to help. 

 We decided to take the chance and head to the west side and find the cove we had heard about.