01 Lago Lolog
FEB 3
8-11AM
10KM
FEB 3 8-11AM 10KM
Up at 6:15am to get Coop fed and some eggs in me before packing up. 30 minute trip over mostly gravel/dirt roads (under construction) to get to the lake.
Cold front came in a few days prior - so 50 degrees and windy start to the adventure. The waves actually weren’t that bad, but the constant wind gusts were brutal (shattered glass looking waves that kept me in place or going less than 2km/h for the first half of the paddle).
Had to wait out the gusts and paddle hard to get to my turning point - the corner of the lake before it bends west. Goal was to get a good look down then turn back, as this was more of a warm up lake - and the wind direction/cold and complete lack of cell reception made it a bit too dangerous for a long outing.
“Broke the first rule of paddle boarding - move your head, not your shoulders! ”
Took a quick pic and looked back to see if the sun happened to be breaking thru yet, and broke the first rule of paddle boarding - move your head, not your shoulders! (you go where your shoulders go…and I went straight overboard, lol. Had the windbreaker hoodie tied tight - limiting my periphs, so I turned waaaaay to much and timed that derp move perfectly with a wave right to the side of the board. Rookie move.
So it was a rough 1.5 hours up battling the wind, then a coooooold and wet 1 hour back.
Thankfully much easier go on the way back tho, and some nice views! With my windbreaker acting like a sail, I got up to about 6-7km/h. Stopped halfway back at a pebble beach so I could ring out my clothes and change into a dry hoodie and eat a quick snack (banana, sweetened granola and peanut butter/chocolate dates for some energy).
In hind-sight, prolly should’ve brought a towel, extra shirt and gotten some water shoes. Knees and feet were pins and needles cold and pink toward the end. Next time ;P.
Nearing the shore, the strong winds finally pushed the cloud cover back and revealed the sun. Turned into a super pretty day and got to enjoy some vera nice views. So got about 10 minutes of sun and soaked it up and laid all my wet gear out to dry before Caro and Coop showed up around 11am. Rough start, but everything uphill from here, right? Haha.
Next up: Lago Lacar near San Martin De Los Andes.