Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 15:48:27 EST From: Rcgibbert_at_aol.com Subject: [Paddlewise] Southern Belize Greetings, My buddy and I would like to kayak from Punta Gorda in the south of Belize and cruise a few jungle rivers before heading out to the cayes offshore from Placencia. Have any Paddlewiser's paddled this area? If so, do you recall any rivers and coastal areas adequate for camping? Based on map research the tough area seems to be Port Honduras, north of Punta Gorda. I have read an old Sea Kayaker article written by Eric Holle that emphasized the area but no specifics were given. Thanks a bunch-Rob Gibbert I paddled southern belize jungle river many years ago; didn't camp and can't remember specific locations. What I do remember is to be careful in terms of the end of the rainy season (end of winter). Rivers can run many feet higher than normal covering trees in the river or at the edge. It also makes for finding campsites even less likely. When I was there, the jungle was so thick that I don't remember seeing easy places to camp. Also even though the rains had recently stopped, the ground was still quite wet and soggy. Most important though is a very swift current due to all the additional water that pulls down trees and brings down logged trees that had gotten stuck somewhere upstream. Our biggest hazard, more so than the covered obstructions, was avoiding these missiles coming downstream at us. We hadn't realized the extent of the abnormal height of the river, and later learned that natives and the rental agency weren't even going out then. Three people had just died on the river we went down. Have a great time. It's a beautiful country. I'd definitely encourage exploring all the different regions. If you have any questions that i might be able to answer, feel free to email me. I might even tell you about my running into Miss Belize in the middle of the jungle (and I have the picture of us to prove it!). Wish I were going with you, Hank *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Belize is on my paddling wish list and I have some info, including a "book" (self-published, spiral bound) called Belize by Kayak - A Guide... by Kirk Barrett. I've had it for a few years (since 96). They might have a website now. At the time he said, (in the newsletter) "It is the first and only guidebook in existence on sea kayaking in Belize." There's a chart in the back of the book. My interest was because it was more affordable if you took your own camping gear. Kirk Barrett, Reef-Link Kayaking, 3806 Cottage Crove, Des Moines, IA 50311 phone 515-576-1604 Let me know what you find. sandy kramer *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I spent a week paddling from key to key (cay to cay) out of Placentia a few years ago. I have been following your thread and you should know that Kirk Barrett (Reef Link Kayaking)organized the trip. It was a great adventure. His/our guide was a genius with local knowledge. I would be happy to give more details if you like (and if I can remember!) Hal > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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