For better or worse I have started my trip to hike a section of the El Camino Real between the old Missions of San Borja and Santa Gertrudis.
I have wanted to hike a section of the ECR for a few years now and it was all set up to happen the first week in January of 2022.
The route was mapped out, possible water sources were located, shuttle was arranged and a hiking partner was lined up.
Then along came Covid. I caught it in early December and was very sick for two weeks and spent a day in the hospital.
The trip fell apart. I was too weak to go and I moved it back a month. But doing so meant hiking it alone and I have been unable to arrange any shuttles.
To make matters worse people are reporting that the area is suffering from a long drought. Then I get an email from a reliable source that two of the more dependable water sources are being used by Narco's.
Yet, here I am. I am camped along the Salton Sea after driving 650 miles from my home in Northern California. Tomorrow I will cross the border at Mexicali and be out of touch for the next 5 or 6 days.
Logistically this trip will be a challenge. Water sources are unknown and if Narco's are using San Sebastian and El Parasio I will have to turn around and go back.
If I am able to do the hike getting back to my car will be a challenge in itself. The plan is to drive to San Borja which is about halfway down Baja and about 22 miles from the pavement and leave a minibike there.
Then drive to Bahia de Los Angeles and then southwards along the gulf coast for a 120 miles stashing fuel every 30 miles or so to Santa Gertrudis.
I will also stash water a few miles north of the only road crossing of the ECR section that I will be hiking.
After parking at Santa Gertrudis, and if all goes well, I will hike 75 miles north to San Borja where I will hop on the minibike and ride it the 150 miles, mostly on dirt roads, stopping every 30 miles or so to fill up from my fuel stashes back to my car.
What can possibly go wrong.....
I have wanted to hike a section of the ECR for a few years now and it was all set up to happen the first week in January of 2022.
The route was mapped out, possible water sources were located, shuttle was arranged and a hiking partner was lined up.
Then along came Covid. I caught it in early December and was very sick for two weeks and spent a day in the hospital.
The trip fell apart. I was too weak to go and I moved it back a month. But doing so meant hiking it alone and I have been unable to arrange any shuttles.
To make matters worse people are reporting that the area is suffering from a long drought. Then I get an email from a reliable source that two of the more dependable water sources are being used by Narco's.
Yet, here I am. I am camped along the Salton Sea after driving 650 miles from my home in Northern California. Tomorrow I will cross the border at Mexicali and be out of touch for the next 5 or 6 days.
Logistically this trip will be a challenge. Water sources are unknown and if Narco's are using San Sebastian and El Parasio I will have to turn around and go back.
If I am able to do the hike getting back to my car will be a challenge in itself. The plan is to drive to San Borja which is about halfway down Baja and about 22 miles from the pavement and leave a minibike there.
Then drive to Bahia de Los Angeles and then southwards along the gulf coast for a 120 miles stashing fuel every 30 miles or so to Santa Gertrudis.
I will also stash water a few miles north of the only road crossing of the ECR section that I will be hiking.
After parking at Santa Gertrudis, and if all goes well, I will hike 75 miles north to San Borja where I will hop on the minibike and ride it the 150 miles, mostly on dirt roads, stopping every 30 miles or so to fill up from my fuel stashes back to my car.
What can possibly go wrong.....
