Forecast Schmorecast

So we're waiting for a weather window through the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Since we've been out here we've had our ears to the ground about the weather. We used the NOAA broadcasts in the states, our SSB receiver to (sort of) hear the nets and their weather observations and forecasts, and info from the internet whenever we can get to it. The web offers as much data and as many sources as we want, so I prefer to try to use it when we can. We use a forecasting site,buoyweather.com, that will give you an extended forecast for anywhere in the world on the water. One thing we've learned about forecasts is that they are just that, guesses, a shot in the dark at old mother nature. We've seen forecasts for 30 knots of wind and 10 foot seas when there hasn't been a breath or a ripple on the ocean, and we've seen unexpected gusts when well paid and well educated meteorologists saw nothing to worry about.

So this gulf of Tehuantepec thing, or Tehuantepeckers, its basically strong North winds coming over the lower landmass of southern Mexico and heading out to sea. These winds are funneled down to the ocean over low mountains and passes and increase in velocity when hitting the ocean. Caused by high pressure systems that move into the Gulf of Mexico and are pushed south by more high pressure in the States. The guides give a fairly straight-forward approach to crossing this area. Wait for a system to pass, stay close to shore where you'll still have plenty of wind but less wave height, and don't cut across. It's the first winter weather phenomenon that we've had to really worry about, and it can be downright awful from the sound of it, so it takes a bit more planning than looking out to the ocean and saying "today looks like a nice day to sail." I won't say we're on edge, but the gears are turning up there. We'll be as safe as we can be and hope for the best.

The Gulf of Tehuantepec and the Mexico

Guatemala border.

From the looks of it we'll be moving on in a day or two. Meanwhile, we're anchored off Playa Pantheon in Puerto Angel. It's much quieter than Puerto Escondido, and while there isn't world class surfing right next door, we did enjoy a great scuba dive off the rocks to the West of the entrance. Really tall rock walls going down to sand alleys 50-60' down. Tons of fish, a few we haven't seen before, a lone lobster, a few eels, a very camouflaged sculpin and a swim through a short tunnel in the rocks. The rock walls on their own were amazing, covered in sea fans and different colored algae.

Right now I'm listening to a parrot chant "hola, hola, hola" instead of the crazy mayhem that went along with the sport-fishing tournament in Escondido. A good trade.

Liberte in Puerto Angel