Welcome To The Water Wisdom
Baja Retreat
We can’t wait to be immersed
in the beauty of Baja with you
Location: Loretto, Sea of Cortez, MX
Temp: Historically Highs in the 70’s and Lows in the 40’s
Trip Dates: January 25th - Feb. 2nd
Below you will find
Important dates, deadlines, and links
Questionnaire. This is one of the most important things. Please allow around 10 minutes to fill this out and make sure to send it in by Friday, Jan. 3rd.
A packing list with important information about gear and what to bring
Details about the trip including itinerary and travel information
Retreat life: communication, safety, and other considerations to help you get the most out of your retreat experience
Waiver
DATEs, DEADLINES, and Links
Leading up to the retreat there will be important dates and deadlines to pay attention to. We will be sending out reminders through email as we go.
Reach out anytime with questions
Zoe’s phone number: 818-661-8164
Mel’s phone number: 323-646-0248
DATES & DEADLINES
Group Calls: ZOOM LINK Calls will be on Zoom and last between 1-1.5 hours
Jan. 9th at 4pm PT (7pm ET) - FIND THE RECORDING HERE
Jan. 15th at 10am PT (1pm ET) - FIND THE RECORDING HERE
Jan 21st at 12pm PT (3pm ET) - FIND THE RECORDING HERE
Jan. 3rd: Questionnaire Due
Jan. 3rd: Gear requests (you will add what you need to the questionnaire)
Jan. 25th - Feb. 2nd: Our wonderful kayaking adventure!
If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help every step of the way leading up to the retreat and always happy to hop on a call with you.
ALL the links in one place
Retreat Questionnaire
The Questionnaire is very important, it provides us with medical information, gear necessities, and food preferences. In addition, we incorporate a lot of your answers into our planning so please take the time to fill this out, it makes the trip all that much better. Thank you!
Please complete ASAP but no later than Jan. 3rd
Gear Overview
We will be checking the weather the week leading up to the trip.
Water Temps: The water temps range from high 50’s to low 70’s.
ALL requests for gear must be made no later than Jan. 3rd
Overview
After arriving in Loreto and meeting with your guides, you’ll be provided a boat bag (in which you’ll repack your bulk gear), a small personal dry bag (for incidentals), and a mesh bag (for snorkeling gear). Boat bags will be transported on the support boat (panga) while you’re on the water. If you’re uncertain whether to bring an item on the packing list, we recommend bringing it. There will be enough boat bags to fit all gear on the list, and all gear will be transported by the support boat between campsites.
Example of how the bags will be packed:
Large and medium-sized boat bags will hold clothes and gear that need to stay dry
Small dry bag can be used as a deck bag that’s kept with you while on the water to hold items you may want while paddling (sunscreen, camera, windbreaker, lip protection, etc.).
Mesh bag with snorkeling gear will be carried in your kayak
Extra baggage, clothing, etc., that you don’t need while on the water will be stored securely in our storage facility and there is no access to them until the end of the trip. Valuables go with you (passport, wallet); in the event you have an emergency requiring you to return to the United States, your passport is required so having it with you gets you where you need to go as soon as possible.
What’s provideD
All meals
Sunshade for using during the day and mealtimes
Small library bag with books about birds, fish, and natural history books about the area
Fiberglass double and fiberglass/plastic single kayaks, lightweight paddles, PDF/s, spray skirts, pumps, paddle floats, and paddling jackets.
1 or 2 person tents
Sleeping bag (upon request)
Sleeping pad (upon request)
Light wetsuits and snorkeling gear (you’re welcome to bring your own)
Snorkeling Gear
Most people feel comfortable snorkeling in full wetsuits earlier in the spring when the water is cooler.
We have light wetsuits (sizes XS-XXL) consisting of short Farmer Johns (sleeveless, to the knee) plus a wetsuit jacket to wear on top. Some people may be more comfortable in a full-length or thicker wetsuit. If you know you are more comfortable in a warmer suit you are welcome to you bring your own.
We also will have masks, snorkels, and fins available. If you are an avid snorkeler and have your own gear please feel free to bring it.
Camping Gear
Sleeping bag: lightweight, compact, with stuff-sack. If you sleep cold, bring a bag rated to approximately 32° F. We can provide this upon request
Backpacking sleeping pad: we can provide this upon request
Packing Overview
We will be checking the weather the week leading up to the trip.
Air Temps: Loretto Mexico has an average of highs in mid 70’s (could get hotter) and nights can get cold with lows in the 40’s F (could get colder).
Please read through carefully, all items are included to make your trip as comfortable as possible. You will also have an opportunity to ask any questions about gear and packing during our group calls and can post questions to our group text thread which will get started on Jan. 3rd.
Overview
When we head out into nature we are in the elements. The ocean can have a wide range of weather from sunny to rainy, all within a single day. But with the right gear and mindset, it can make for a great adventure.
We recommend using a layering system so you can add clothing to stay warm, or delayer as needed.
Important Items
Passport
Travel card
Wallet, cash
Insurance card, traveler insurance info
Copy of passport
Flight itinerary, confirmation number, tickets
Zoe + Mel’s phone number somewhere other than your phone
Cell phone & charger
Clothing
Footwear
1 pair running or light hiking shoes for walking. Closed-toe shoes with ankle support are recommended to protect your feet and ankles from loose rock, cactus, etc. when walking along the coastal desert
1 pair Teva-type sport sandals, neoprene booties, or water shoes for walking over rocks getting in/out of water. Sandals without a heel-strap and flip-flops are not recommended
1 pair of sandals for beach post-paddling. Sandals with toe protection can be helpful
2 pairs of socks: 1 for hiking, 1 for evening
1 pair of light water socks for under fins to prevent chafing (some people prefer this)
1 pair of lightweight socks to wear with sandals for sun protection
TOps
1 thin Capilene (quick-dry; not cotton) shirt for padding
1 lightweight (UPF suggested) long-sleeve shirt for sun protection
3-4 shirts: 1 long sleeve, 1 short sleeve, 1 tank top, 1 sleep shirt
1 fleece (noncotton) sweatshirt that will be your warm mid-layer
1 warm (down or synthetic) jacket for chilly nights
1 waterproof/water-resistant jacket in case of wind &/or rain
1 warm hat or beanie (preferably fleece or wool)
Bottoms
2 pairs of shorts: 1 quick-dry for paddling, 1 for hiking
1 pair of lightweight pants (comfortable, non-cotton; light hiking pants work well) for sun protection
1 pair of warm pants (fleece or non-cotton warm pants for the evening)
1 pair of noncotton long underwear bottom
Swimsuit
1 pareo or sarong (to use as a blanket/towel and more)
2 bandanas (for napkins, sunglasses cleaner etc.)
Underwear
In-Town Clothing
2 days of casual clothes for travel days and evenings in Loreto. These will remain with luggage in storage while paddling. It’s nice to have a fresh set of clothing ready at the end of the trip.
Sleeping Gear
Travel pillow or Pillowcase (you can put your puffy jacket and clothing inside to make a pillow)
Earplugs (if sensitive to sounds while sleeping or needed for swimming)
Anything else that helps you sleep like medication or an eye mask
Sun Protection
1 sun hat with tie-down strap secured by a barrel lock
One pair of paddling gloves (biking gloves will do)
Sunglasses with retention strap
Waterproof reef-safe sunscreen: learn what makes something reef-safe
Lip balm SPF15+
personal Gear
Insulated mug for tea or coffee (double-check back in on this)
Wristwatch (if you don’t want to look at your phone)
1 one-quart insulated water bottle
Head lamp (with a second red bulb preferred—doesn’t blind others) and extra batteries
Battery or solar-based charger for electronics (we will have our phones on airplane mode)
Pen and paper for journaling
Glasses or contacts
Eyeglass cleaner or wipes (to remove salt at end of day)
Anti-fog drops for snorkel mask (nice to have but not required)
Personal Care/Toiletries
1 small bag for toiletries and medications
Prescription and over-the-counter medications you require. Motion sickness pills if needed.
Toothbrush, toothpaste
Biodegradable saltwater shampoo and soap (Sea Suds or Camp Suds work best)
Face wipes
Baby wipes
Feminine hygiene products as needed
Bug spray: Some trips are bug-free, but some trips have mosquitoes and sand fleas (also known as no-see-ums). A long-sleeved shirt and pants are your best defense, but bug spray is recommended.
Optional
Camera—in waterproof box or bag—and extra batteries
Waterproof case for phone (if using for photos around water)
Wetsuits: We provide shorty wetsuits, however, if you run cold and want to snorkel, we recommend bringing a full wetsuit since water temps can be brisk in the winter months
Snorkel, mask, fins: We will provide this gear, but you’re welcome to bring your own
Binoculars
Reading material
Logistics
FLying to Loreto Mexico
Accommodations
Sat. Jan. 25th Pre-Trip Hotel: Oasis
Oasis Hotel will be our meeting spot on Jan. 25th.
Orientation: The evening of the 25th we will meet with our local kayaking guides for an orientation.
Sat. Jan. 1st Post-Trip Hotel: La Mission
Transportation
If you need transportation to and from the airport let us know during the group call or let Zoe know and we will arrange to pick you up.
Retreat Life
Time Away
This retreat is an opportunity to get to know yourself better and to develop a calmer and more alert mind. Through slowing down and minimizing distractions we will spend time cultivating a sense of peace and stillness. We will also bring mindful attention into group discussions, creative activities, and free time.
By taking time to know yourself and others in a more authentic way you can develop skills to move between inner and outer worlds with flexibility and ease, free from distracting thoughts, feelings, and habits.
Communications/Cell Phone
You may not be able to access cell service on this trip so please plan accordingly.
We suggest putting an away message on your email with an extra day to give yourself time to settle back in and transition back after the retreat.
If you have a job or personal life where people may be calling and expecting a response you can also leave an away message on your voicemail letting people know you are away on retreat.
If you have family who might worry if they do not hear back from you, it is nice to give them a heads up that you will be away on a wilderness retreat and won’t have cell service.
In Case oF Emergency
We will have a Garmin in-reach with us on the trip which has limited texting capabilities for use in the case of an emergency. We will provide you with a document and instructions that you can give to your loved ones so they can reach us in case of an emergency.
All of our guides are trained in Wilderness First Response and have been guiding people on kayaking and wilderness expeditions for decades.
Safety & Hazards
When we go out into the wilderness, we leave some of the comforts of modernity behind as well as immediate access to medical care. This is the risk we take to go out and find solitude and connection with nature. Taking necessary precautions and paying attention to the health and well-being of the whole group helps mitigate the risk.
Although it is unlikely that an illness or injury will occur on retreat, these accidents can happen. We have trip leaders trained in Wilderness First Response and CPR. Please keep in mind that it is all of our responsibility to be mindful of ourselves and to care for the group as a whole.
Hazards include animals and insects, weather (including the sun), improper hygiene, and terrain, such as loose rocks.
We will review how to stay safe, sanitary, and aware of these hazards once we are all together in person.
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