1045 hrs
really low tide
blocked by ice
temp repair
numb fingers take selfish portrait in the creek
Went down to the boat to effect a repair, in advance of significant precipitatoin. I'd noticed that the weather/ice the week prior had left one of the (many) inspection ports somewhat compromised. What better way to do a repair in 23 degree weather? Tape!!!
So having taped I thought...huh...wonder if it's too cold to paddle? Went to the car and geared up and heck, I'm ready to paddle! The temp has risen to a comfy 24 degress and the breeze hadn't topped 15 since I'd been there. Let's do this. One motivation was I'd never explored the creek in a tide this low and I wanted to suss out the sand bar on the southwest side of the little island in Blackhole Creek...a shortcut I take with the board pulled all the way up on the i550.
The tide was super-low (springs I guess, and a bit of a North wind blow-out). And though we'd had a day or two of warmer weather in the interceding days since I had paddled last, there was a disappointing amount of ice, especially in the coves I like to paddle into.
One thing for sure: I gotta get new gloves, ones that actually work in mid-20s temps! My Henri Lloyd neoprenes result in unusable digits after 15 minutes of contact with a metal double-ended paddle.
Weather: mostly cloudy, 24 - 26 degrees F Breeze N 8 gusting 14
Gear: tech base layer, thick flannel shirt, thick wool sweather, ultra thick fleece top, old battered spray top and SLAM bibs
Critters: two great blues and a lot of buffleheads, which surprisingly I could get very close to...too cold to fly!