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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Baja Classic, February 2, 2012
This review is from: Wind, Water, Sun : A Solo Kayak Journey Along Baja California's Desert Coastline (Hardcover)
This book came highly recommended by a number of sources, including a sea kayaking guide friend of ours, although it is hard to come by as it is long out of print. There is a lot in here--human history, geography, weather, all wrapped up in a classic, heart pounding adventure story--sea kayaking the entire length of Baja California, from the Colorado River delta to the cape, along the Sea of Cortez coastline. The book includes a large selection of color photographs and detailed maps, making it a coffee table book of sorts. While it is not a guide, it conveys information as good, if not better, than any guide out there, for the color maps more than anything, and the descriptive text. Speaking of the maps... this book contains perhaps the best overall group of maps of this coastline, as they cover the entire coastline. There are not lists of day kayaking trips, as this is an adventure travel narrative, not a guidebook (which are pretty much obsolete anyway because of the internet).
It's an awesome read, for the detailed descriptions of the people and the places along this coastline, and what the author went through (as a novice when putting the kayak into the water at the start, to fairly experienced by the end), although you might want to think twice about trying such a trip yourself--maybe better to break into two or three trips over the course of a few years. Or just car camp one one of the many lonely beaches the author describes, and bring along a selection of books, including this one. Wind Water Sun is a must have in any Baja lover's book collection.
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19 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good book if you love Baja, March 15, 1999
This review is from: Wind, Water, Sun : A Solo Kayak Journey Along Baja California's Desert Coastline (Hardcover)
This book was quite enjoyable for anyone who has ever (or thought about it) kayaked in Baja. The book has a nice selection of photos and maps of the Baja region and should certainly be included in your "Baja library." The same topic was covered previously in Jonathan Waterman's "Kayaking the Vermillion Sea." The difference between the two is the obvious (solo vs having a partner), but also extends beyond that--Waterman provided a closer introspective view of his experience, while Darack is more matter-of-fact about his experiences. In a way, Darack underemphasizes the dangerousness of the Sea of Cortez. I certainly recommend reading this book.
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3 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good historical info and great photos, April 18, 2011
This review is from: Wind, Water, Sun : A Solo Kayak Journey Along Baja California's Desert Coastline (Hardcover)
This book is full of good information regarding the history and geology of the Baja Peninsula. It is also a showcase of some pretty fine photography of the region. Ed is a damn fine photographer, and always has been.
His book is not, however, much use as a guide to sea kayaking the peninsula. I've paddled every mile of the cortez baja coast at least once, and some sections 2 or 3 times, so I know a thing or two about this matter. Written from the perspective of a first time kayaker with zero experience in either kayaking or expedition kayaking, Ed's book is rife with vague statements and occasional wild misinformation regarding what this coastline contains for the sea kayaker. His near fatality along one of the more remote sections of the baja coast (Punta Bluff) points out that the author probably shouldn't have been there to begin with, or at least should have read up on and seriously practiced some simple kayak self rescue skills before taking on an 800 mile solo trip. Caution, skill development, and foreknowledge have never been Ed's forte, however, and, much like his close brushes with death via various rookie climbing mistakes on Denali and the Eastern Sierra, his lucky angels somehow intervene keep him from buying the farm. I hope Ed is around a long, long time to write and photograph, and gets the chance to paddle the cortez many more times. Maybe then he could update and correct some of the info from his first trip with info that smacks a little more of objective fact rather than the scared musings of a young kid in way over his head. All in all, you should read Ed's book. But for info on the actual kayaking, you might want to look up Dave Eckhardt's fairly thorough book, and the old out of print Romano-Lax book. Or better yet, build up your experience base and paddling skills before you take off on a big mileage kayak expedition.
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