Unpopular opinion: Our quest for that untouched coastal cave left us navigating a treacherous tide schedule with no backup plan.

If you venture to that isolated cove, meticulously study the tidal charts and have a reliable local guide, because being caught by the rising water is a real and dangerous possibility.

4 comments

4 Comments

stella7381mo ago

Beyond a reliable local guide, always tell someone your return time.

reed.dylan1mo ago

Backcountry camping in Wyoming, @stella738's advice is on point. I always tell someone my return time. Your mileage may vary, but it's saved my skin before.

kelly_fisher1mo ago

Ever think telling someone your plans was overkill? I used to just head out and figure I'd be back when I got back, lol. Then one time I took a bad step off a trail and twisted my ankle real bad, miles from my truck. Sat there for hours before my buddy got worried I was late and came looking. Now I text someone my route and when to sound the alarm, no joke. Changed my whole view on being "self-sufficient.

drew2771mo ago

Factor in the MOON phase beyond just tide charts, because a full moon pulls higher tides that can trap you even if you timed it 'right' on paper. I watched a group get stranded because they didn't account for the perigean spring tide, which wasn't obvious on standard charts. That means checking astronomical data and having a plan to climb to a pre-scouted ledge if the water comes up faster. It's about layering your backups, not just having one. Your local guide might know the spot, but they might not always consider the celestial variables.