My rookie mistakes in my first ever Everglades adventure

[Juan Estevez]

First off, I had a great trip; it was a truly unbelievable experience, every day I saw dolphins, all kinds of game fish, sea turtles peeking for air and even a few rays.

My trip started and ended at Everglades City park ranger’s muddy launch ramp, first day I took the West Pass route to Picnic Key, second day from Picnic to Pavilion and third day back to EC. Along the way I stopped to rest and explore other keys (Turtle, Kingston and Rabbit).

Mistake #1 – I over packed, I had way too many bulky items like canned food, oversized sleeping bag plus I carried a week worth of water for a three days trip.

Mistake #2 – Camp items organization, the first night I could not find my silverware! It was packed together with the bags of nuts??

Mistake #3 – Overloaded kayak, I had to strap a dry bag on the back deck of the kayak, and I can’t imagine how on earth I could get back on my kayak if I would capsize. Also most of the water was stored in the front hatch which made handling a bit unpredictable.

Mistake #4 – Bugs control, the same wind that made my paddling to Picnic Key a bit on the wild side it kept all the bugs away the first night, but boy, how quickly things change out there, the next morning the wind was zero, nothing! and the night before I left my bug shirt and head net stuffed inside the kayak, I’ve got bit quite a lot breaking camp.

Mistake #5 – Paddling against the tide; for my last planned day the weather forecast called for rain all day and I decided to cut short my trip. I did have my tides table with me but I ignore them and instead of starting my return trip as early as possible to avoid the out-going tide I decided to relax at Pavilion to enjoy the sunrise, big mistake! From Pavilion to Rabbit wasn’t that bad, but from Rabbit to Chokoloskee I had a strong current and wind against me, I was barely moving.

Mistake #6 – Failed to take advantage and learn how to fully navigate with a map and a compass; since also I brought with me my GPS I totally relied on it, which it could be good but also bad. I had the opportunity to test by bearings and learn something new but I was so concerned to get lost that I decided to rely on what I know best, the GPS. If my GPS would have failed me I would had been lost!

I’m sure those were not the only mistakes I made during my first ever trip to the Glades; Would you share yours?

Juan

[vivian]

Juan, your mistakes are learning experiences. Think of this as your shake down cruise for future adventures. Even after all these years I still learn something each and every time I go out on a camping trip. Always room for improvement in packing and gear selection.

Biggest ever mistake for me on my first paddling/camping trip: Going against a raging full moon tide from E City to Picnic Key. I left at 4 pm and was totally lost by the time I got to the LeMans passage when the sun went down. I think we got to Picnic at 8 pm! Going against that strong tide felt like paddling in cement. What was worse? Paddling a barge SOT kayak with a heavy aluminum paddle during that episode.

When I graduated from powerboater to paddler I had no clue how a paddle trip could be so affected by the currents. I used to turn on the key and get to whatever campsite I wanted whenever I wanted.

Biggest lessons learned: The tides AND the wind direction dictate your route.

Those are the biggest mistakes and lessons but the other small mistakes really did add up, LOL!

[Miami101]

Well Juan you are using a Compass, and a GPS. I still do not own these things and tend to use a map sometimes. I thank god for this site, and the people here. The information here has help me.
Call me when you have to tie up to some Mangroves for the night, or push off into dark water and ancor to avoid bugs.

Let see if I learned something from the past for my next trips. Tide & Wind I still need to learn these things so don't feel so bad.
I need to get on the ball for up coming trips.
Carlos Miami101

[Juan Estevez]

I forgot to include the link with some of the pictures I took during the trip.

Here from my Pbase site:

[Connie Mier]

Juan, I scanned through your photos quickly, but want to take a better look at them now that I have a free moment. Fantastic photos of your trip!

I'm glad you had a good trip and what a great learning experience too. That's the best way I guess! The 4 things that I pack in a way that I can access them immediately upon arriving at a campsite are bug spray, mosquito net, cotton gloves and head lamp. Sounds like you learned that lesson well enough!

Connie

[Esther Luft]

Great photos! My first trip was a simple overnight. I was very proud of the fact that I could stuff everything into my boat. Truth be told, I had enough of everything for a week-long paddle : ) Every trip teaches us to pack lighter and more efficiently. I'm still working on my compartmentalizing methods. Someday I'll have a bag a day for all my needs. Next paddle is seven days Everglades City to Flamingo. Hopefully I won't leave anything behind. I always miss something! : |