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August 18, 2005
Headlands
DAY: 64
LOCATION: Sumbawa Island - NE corner
NAUTICAL MILES YESTERDAY: 22
NAUTICAL MILES TODAY: 9
NAUTICAL MILES TOTAL TRIP: 546
LATITUDE : S 8 degs, 18.26'
LONGITUDE: E 118 degs, 46.74'
I'd been thinking quite a bit about the crossing we'd be making across the Sape Selat. Selat crossings are always tricky as the currents, winds, and tides can become quite difficult. The locals are happy to give dramatic accounts of why you shouldn't cross them in a kayak, as well! So we left Komodo for Gili Banta, a stepping stone in the middle of the selat, the plan to make the crossing in two sessions.
Jason had climbed a hill on the north shore of Komodo to check for slack in the tides the day before so we would have an idea of what to expect and we set off. All went wonderfully well until we reached the headland on the north shore of the island. The winds turned against us and the swell coming off the headland became huge breaking waves. ''Queenie" as I affectionately call her, handled that water perfectly, and hats off to Current Designs for their construction of this amazing Libra XL. We found a small spot of sand to camp on before our next big day to finish the crossing.
I was a bit intimidated with what was to come, but there was no getting around it; there was only one way to get to Sumbawa and it was going to be a tricky bit of water. We rounded another headland before striking out to the west, then hit the open water. Sumbawa was not in sight and that was a bit of a rush heading out into open sea without sight of land! The crossing proved to be a lot easier thanks to Jason's planning and it was a walk in the park right up til we rounded the northern most headland of Sumbawa. We were to be traveling along the north shore, which is exposed and full of reef systems. Add to that, a strong wind in our face that had us in a real roller coaster ocean.
By this time we had been paddling for eight hours and it was getting dark. The shore line continued to lack sand, only coral reef and volcanic rocks. We continued, hoping for a break as we were both exhausted. The break appeared in the form of a sliver of opportunity, a point of sand between two rocky cliffs. It was a one shot deal to hit that beach between rocks in a breaking surf fueled by strong wind.
To position ourselves, we had to turn "Queenie" 360 degrees to line her up with the shore and hope we could hit the beach spot on. The kayak spun around, we paddled like crazy, and with help from God and luck, we shot up onto the black sand, bailing out to pull our kayak to safety. What an incredible finish to our selat crossing! I wouldn't have had it any other way.
April
Posted on August 18, 2005 2:26 PM
Comments
I'm wondering if I should plan a trip to Singapore? I'm in your pocket but it's just not enuf. It's so much fun -but I'm sorry as readers we don't feel the bugs biting but we do the anxious moments as well as the exhilleration of views and successes. Nancy
Posted by: nancy sanford at August 19, 2005 3:32 AM
Hi Jason;
I have been following your journey for a long time. I first came across Expedition 360 on goals.com during the research for my own long journey.
I am very inspired by how you are progressing, the route that you have selected, and the fact that you have incorporated an educational component to your efforts.
Please keep up the good work. I will be a very happy person when you finish your journey to complete the first human powered true circumnavigation of the world.
Best to you and to all of the team.
Erden Eruc
President
Around-n-Over
Posted by: Erden Eruc at August 18, 2005 8:11 PM