Death Chat!!

Got back from Big Sur trip yesterday, will post some pics later, when I sort them out.

Ban said:
Thanks!

You will need some 80 grit, 120 grit, 220 or 320 grit, coarse scotchbrite, fine scotchbrite, and leather belt.

Try to get ceramic whenever possible.
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So pretty much same as the FAQ :thumbup: Thanks Ban and Huy!


Mmmm...need me a handgun.
 
Ban, hopefully the ridiculous california roster goes away soon.

Hikingmano, looking forward to the pics!
 
Yeah, that roster needs to go bye-bye. I just don't see the logic in it. If handguns not on the list are supposedly unsafe then why are they available and safe in other states :rolleyes:
 
MRpink said:
Anyone ever used McGowen Barrels?

http://www.mcgowenbarrel.com/catalog8.htm

For the 10/22, price wise they seem good, and the few reviews I've read have been positive.
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So I don't step on Huy's toes, just reposting this to make sure it doesn't get overlooked :thumbup:





I just wanted to throw this out there for future consideration:

I'm hoping to make it out to this event this year, anyone interested in going?
Oakietree said:
Back by popular demand. More wetter than before! Even more Seamen Slinging action! Most importantly BIGGER BOOTY![/b].
Everyone loves big booty!
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The WPC is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Seamen Slinger Extravaganza. As in previous years, the main focus will be on the ocean and harvesting edibles from it. Each year, people with little or no ocean experience have learned to freedive and successfully harvest abalone and spear fish. Most who participated would call it "a life changing event." In addition to freediving, there is amazing near shore fishing, easily accessible by kayak. This year, we are trying to arrange some more activities for the shore bound. One activity will hopefully be a class on harvesting and preparing seaweed for food. Another might be a class focusing on terrestrial plants. This is on top of the trap building, knife sharpening, stick fighting, raccoon beating, fire making, hiking, exploring, eating, and shit-talking that just naturally pops up when surrounded by such great people.
Despite what the flyer says, this year the SSE will not be at the Reef campground. The Reef camp ground has been closed for the year due to California's amazing fiscal prowess. We have secured a campground a few miles up the coast that is in an equally beautiful spot. There are some pros to the new location like separation from other campers and the site is bigger. There are trails that lead up into the hills and some close dive spots including a marine reserve that has calm water that is perfect for introducing new divers. I went there on Tuesday and snapped some pics.
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We will still be diving at the same spots as last two years but there will be close access to new spots for those that want to try some place new.
Also any and all active military and there families will camp for FREE. In addition I would be happy to help arrange FREE freediving equipment for any active duty military who would like to go diving. Yes FREE! Mako Spearguns has a free loaner program for any active duty military. If you need to fly here, we will feed you.
If you are a regular working guy and money is tight and you have always wanted to try free diving let me know and I will do my best to get you in the water. I have boxes of old wet suits and and miscellaneous gear. So far no one who has shown up that wanted to dive has gone home without getting in the water.
If you have never eaten abalone you don't know what your missing.
abfoot1.jpg

You can tell by the photo why they taste so good.

Last year, we had some great sponsors:
Equinox Coronado, famous for their tomahawks, donated a large assortment of their innovative products.
http://equinoxcoronado.com/

John McCann, author of "Build the Perfect Survival Kit" and owner of Survival Resources, sent boxes of gear to give away. http://www.bepreparedtosurvive.com/

Clif Bar made sure no one went went hungry and that we all had the energy to make it through the week (4 days of teaching freediving takes it out of you).
http://www.clifbar.com/?gclid=CK-03rXvlakCFQQ7gwodWWYhuw

Rob Lyttle of Woodbite sent a beautiful bushcraft knife that was given away to the new diver with the biggest abalone. He has since stopped taking orders for knives because the demand for his work became too great after the exposure he received at our event.
http://woodbiteknives.com/

Fluid Film made sure everyone left with some of their lubricant/rust inhibitor as well as shirts and hats.
http://www.fluid-film.com/?gclid=CKbjr63ylakCFQI3gwod8DFuvA

On top of all that booty, many WPC members donated great custom made gear including sling shots, kydex, and stoves. I can't even mention that everyone received Arrow Cards (patent pending) to test or how I made first kill with this brilliant new product that hasn't been released yet.
This year we have some great sponsors again who are providing a huge assortment of prizes and items to give away. We have survival gear, outdoor gear, First aid supplies, custom knives, custom sheaths, packs, food and even our own lube sponsor.

In total, there was probably a couple grand in prizes and giveaways. No one left empty handed.
This year promises to be even more amazing. *More contest! More Prizes! More Booty taking!
Plus special guest appearance!
Other activities might include
101 ways to kill befriend a raccoon
How to take a Russian Ft
Jazzercize
I wonder if that's edible?
How to beat someone with a stick
Roller disco competition
Zen and the Art of Marshmellow roasting.
Guess whats up my kilt
Johnbar will demonstate how to smoke thru a snorkel if not we can just learn by watching.
How to protect your booty from pirates( unless you feel like sharing)
Sonoma county is also well known for its wine production. So if you are a........well lets just say golfer and you like to drink wine there are numerous vineyards in the area.

The bottom line is that I love the Ocean. It is a part of me and my life. It has given me so much peace and happiness that I feel I have to share it. You are all welcome to come and share. If you know anyone who might be interested in coming, feel free to pass the invitation on. If you or anyone you know have anything you wish to contribute, please contact us.

If you need help arranging transportation, gear, or food, especially if you are travelling far to attend the event, let us know. We always ensure those who make the effort to come from far are well fed and provisioned.

In case you missed the info on previous years, here are some links:
SSE I
http://www.dirttimeforum.com/index.php?topic=167.0
http://www.dirttimeforum.com/index.php?topic=363.0

SSE II
http://www.dirttimeforum.com/index.php?topic=1982.0
http://www.dirttimeforum.com/index.php?topic=2273.0

Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t7siV6902s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aCcuJwzDFc

Please RSVP to The Chronicler at westsidepiratecrew@gmail.com ASAP, and instruct any people you invite to do the same so we can reserve adequate space if the area starts to fill up.
The date is fast approaching so let me know if you are coming. Hopefully the Ocean will great us with the same loving gentleness that she has in years past.
See you soon.
Matt
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I haven't done any real diving in ages, and definitely have never done any diving up here in CA before, so I'm really looking forward to learning how to dive for abalone. Money's tight, but I'm hoping to squeeze it in. If you don't like diving, it sounds like there'll be a ton of other activities going on. :thumbup:
 
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I have never done any diving but would be willing to give it a shot in hopes of getting some abalone ;) I am sure it isn't easy but all the good things in life don't come easy.

Don't know anything about those McGowen barrels but they seem to be using a Bentz chamber which is known to be pretty accurate.
 
HikingMano said:
If you have never eaten abalone you don't know what your missing.
abfoot1.jpg

You can tell by the photo why they taste so good.
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Hahahah! That cracked me up. Super busy at work and didn't get a chance to read the post, but had to comment on that picture and smart comment!
 
Just a few scenery pics from my Big Sur trip this past week:

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[video=youtube;VyrmbHymrUA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyrmbHymrUA[/video]
 
Heres the info at the trailhead where I started. I actually missread the sign when I started. My legs were fine but the elevation was killing me, made me nervous about Half Dome next month.

IMG_2571.jpg
 
So around 10.5 mi and a little under 2k gain. Yeah, not bad, but the elevation must indeed be something else. I've never done something that high.
 
MRpink said:
Hahahah! That cracked me up. Super busy at work and didn't get a chance to read the post, but had to comment on that picture and smart comment!
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You know it makes you want some!
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Any and all of you guys are welcome. How hard abalone diving is depends a lot on how comfortable someone is in the water. If you have ever thought about trying it, this is the best way to learn. Spending a couple of days at the coast and immersing yourself is the most surefire way to get it down. Over the past few years we have had easily 10-20 new divers come out. The whole week is focused on helping the new divers learn to dive. Most everyone who put in the time went home having it down well enough that they could go on their own(w/ a partner of course). Some said that it was one of the greatest times they have ever had. For many it was truly life changing. I dont know of any place as beautiful or wild as being under the ocean. The ocean here is pristine and full of life. Of course there is generally to much abalone to eat. Even if you dont want to dive it is still a kick ass good time.

Today was my forth day diving in the last 8 days, I think an intervention might be in the planning. We killed it. We shot 3 lingcod up to 38", limits of abalone, a hand full of other fish, and one scallop. Hard to beat.

If anyone needs gear info, feel free to hit me up.

Matt
 
hikingmano - beautiful pictures as usual! i really want to camp at big sur...how long in advance did you have to book your spot?

gimmiejr - that's pretty high up there. my co-worker camped at around that elevation ~9,000 feet this last weekend somewhere in yosemite and he said on his first night, he woke up in the middle of his sleep out of breath and breathing heavily like he just worked out. his gf who often times does triathlon at higher elevations usually camps out there for a week to let her body adjust to the elevation before doing the triathlon.

matt - i love eating abalone, however won't be able to make this upcoming event. will definitely try and plan for the next one now that I have visibility on it.
 
MRpink said:
hikingmano - beautiful pictures as usual! i really want to camp at big sur...how long in advance did you have to book your spot?

[...]
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I managed to snag a reservation spot at Kirk Creek Campground this past trip 4 months in advance of the date. And it was pretty much the only site left, so not one of the better ones. I think reservations typically open up 7 months in advance, and you need to jump pretty quick to get em. Kirk Creek and other campgrounds in Big Sur have first-come first-serve sites, but you have to arrive early, be lucky, and be quite sharky.... If car camping, I prefer not to deal with the stress of walkup sites.

Our camera died on this trip. I dropped it in the water soon after taking that second picture, while meandering over the rocks on the shore. Luckily we managed to pull the pics off the sd card, but the camera is fried. Might be a blessing in disguise; the camera was old and I'm sure the new point and shoot we just ordered will produce better images (Canon Powershot A3300 IS).
 
Wow, that's long, but good to know, thanks!

Hahah, that sucks but congrats on the new camera. A friend of mine recently picked up a new point and shoot Canon (not sure of the model), but it produces some GREAT quality photos.
 
Yeah, that's the annoying thing about car camping at grounds like that... you have to plan pretty far in advance and hope nothing changes. One of the reasons I'm looking forward to getting into backpacking.

As for the camera, I'm pretty excited. I'll even be able to shoot hd video with it! No more crappy grainy movies :)
 
Zombie death horse for the zombie chat thread :D :p

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Going to go back and redo this photo later to work out a focus issue, but for now, still kinda cool.
 
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