Last Day of Ab Season - Lost Coast (non-yak)

I had to look at a job in Shelter Cove Monday.  The sun was out, winds were light and there was a minus tide at 4PM, so I packed some gear on my back and headed north along the Lost Coast after my appointment.  A ten foot swell was dumping a hard shore break that's killed a few hikers over the years - it's not a place to launch or even play in the water for the first 1.5 miles.  After Horse Mountain Creek the reef appears, but only at a good low tide.  It's 3 miles up to Gitchell Creek where the old vehicle closure was - for the last several years no vehicles have been allowed on Black Sands Beach at all.  Back in the day we'd bring our gear up here on a 4-wheeler, camp, ab, hike further into the wilderness and discover the secret places where old growth abs live.  I've still hiked it several more times than I ever got a ride on a 4-wheeler - one hike was in the middle of the night with just my dog and my ab gear after driving from San Jose 11PM to 3:30AM - stayed up all night and got my first ten inch ab at sunrise then hiked back.  My body doesn't tolerate abuse like that any more!

Today I'd return to a particular rock that I found in 1992.  An abalone of around 8.5" lived in a crack along the top of the rock and was nearly out of the water on a minus tide.  I'd returned to it in '94 to find it still in the same spot and still the same size.  I was hopeful that I'd find it still there, but it appears someone picked it.  I wasn't going to pick it if it was there, and someone really earned it at that spot.

Hiking up the coast, returning to that rock and reaching in that crack, then making my way back to my car at dark added up to a really rewarding afternoon.  Next time I'll take the Roleez and hope to ride a northwest wind back down to the Cove.   

Beautiful sunset scenery at Black Sand Beach!  Thanks for the cool video Eric.

Thank You    Just beautiful!!!  Some great skills you have there Eric!      As always, thank you for sharing your adventures with us!!!

Wow, way cool Eric!  Very envious of your excursions.

Nice to know you're back, apparently I missed that.  Or at least you did a good job of concealing your identity - until now that is.

Michael

Wow Eric, your whole video looked like a post card.  You are really lucky to live in such a fantastic place.  I can't belive you got in the water with just the farmer jon!  Just think how many little ab's are running around that reef, fathered or mothered by your old friend.

Matt

Beautiful!!!!!

Really enjoyed both the report and video.

Thank you very much for sharing!

Sincerely,

Jim

Great vid you crazy focker!! I would have loved to see the mask....... ..... Now tell me about your avatar!... Your freind...Andy

Thanks, Guys.  It's nice to be back in a place where I can share.   

Now tell me about your avatar

I picked a few - very few - black abs at Franklin Point in the early 90's.  That's a seven incher.

Pick your own adjective: beautiful, inspirational, stunning, enthusiastic, adventurous. That video was all of these things and more. Thanks for sharing it w/us!

Love your vids, somewhat envious of the adventures, guess I'll just have to put some miles on the old truck,,,,,,

Good to have you back,

I would have to concur with the rest: That video is awesome.  Very Poetic Video and Report. Nicely made.

D.