Hello, I think this thread came up re an upcoming Baja trip. I've paddled ~2400 miles in Baja, mostly in winter, but never used a reverse osmosis pump. I recall meeting just one other paddler who carried one. Baja is mostly Sonoran Desert, and can be unforgiving, There are more paces to get water than one might assume. Last May there were arroyos running near San Evaristo, from the past September's rains. Locals were getting their water there despite a de-sal plant installed by the government in town. Most larger towns have filter plants that make agua purificado, which can be bought very cheaply-even LA Bay had one. Sailors generally have reverse osmosis pumps on board that they say must be run regularly to keep them working. They can be hailed by VHF or paddling up at anchor if necessary, and will usually share a bit. They are also a good source of WX forcasts from the SSB nets that they follow. Water has never been a problem if sufficient supplies are carried, in view of sources enroute. Usually 2-4 10 liter MSR bags will get you by on the longer stretches, depending on resupply available. Trips around the islands generally require more water than coastal paddling. I have taken 40 liters to go the 125 miles out and around I. d la Guardia and back. It is best to keep some reserve water as insurance against getting stuck someplace in a blow, and being under pressure to head out because of low water. The stretch from La Bay to Santa Rosalia has several sources, El Barril, Pta San Francisito, etc. depending on conditions. Always get up to date beta, as things change. Some villages and ranchos have springs, however, many older wells on the coast have gone brackish. You never want to prevail on someone who is in short supply or who must boat in fresh water, unless it is very urgent. Groups of 1 to3 will place less burden on local supplies than larger groups. You should always offer to pay or trade something. Often chit-chatting with the local cowboys or pangeros will lead to sources, as well as provide a chance to practice Spanish and learn about how folks live. Coyotes don't have access to reverse osmosis pumps, but they seem to get by. Don't EVER leave water bags out of hard kayak hatches while camping, or you could lose out to coyotes. I've seen Baja coyotes digging holes in the gravel, especially near palms, to find water trapped over bedrock. I've thought of putting an MSR water filter intake into these type of holes to obtain water. The wine bag type of water bags sold by REI and others, are especially prone to leaks. The caps should be pushed on over a piece of plastic film and then taped. MSR 10 liter bags are the best, with the optional spigots. Even the spigots have split and leaked. so it helps to have a spare cap. Last May we used insulated Camelback-type bladders on the back of our PFDs. It seemed that we were much better hydrated by sipping versus stopping to chug, and were using less water as well-a bit over 3 liters/person/day. Pasta can be cooked in sea water then rinsed with a tiny bit of fresh, or cooked in a mix of sea and fresh. Paddling with low water use really makes you think about how much water we use in our "civilized" life. Cheers, Jay *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Jay G" <jaymtb_at_amigo.net> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] PaddleWise Water, Baja, Reverse osmosis pumps /skipped/ I only hope that de la Fuente who was planning his Baja solo trip, knew most of that; and it was the author of the article or editor etc that made it looking odd, IMHO (14 liters of water, and 25 miles paddling per day in winter). MSR bags leak at spigots, agreed. They leak through the thread of this smaller cap, even new ones, very often. At least those sold in last 2 years :-). This is a shame, with the price that they charge. 3 out of 3 leaked (replacement didn't help, but plumbers tape did). With plumbers tape in the thread you can't open the small cap (without re-applying the tape again), and have to use the spigot, - well, it helps to conserve water. Optional cap with built-in tap doesn't leak and has all features of spigot, even better. There is some risk that the tap might open accidentally, but small nylon cap keeps it closed, even when you open the tap. I wouldn't take this tap to long Baja trip, though - too risky. But here in BC the one with a tap is my favorite. *************************************************************************** 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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