[CINC] IPCO Scorpion hikes-10/18

[paul jr petrich]

Island People,
 Captain Dave guided 123 passengers out to SCI today. We had mild east wind conditions that grew more intense once on the island, where 100 got off at Scorpion. 80 of the latter were 4th to 6th graders and chaperones from Santa Barbara schools on a marine debris  clean-up and education outing handled by the IPCO staff. About 10 disembarking were kayakers and their guides. I had 7 join me on my hike to Cavern Point, and 4 of them joined me on the trek to Potato Harbor. Dean Benjamin handled the VC. 13 went on to Prisoners Harbor.
 It was mild, but East windy: The windiest hike I have ever lead. I lost 3 laminated cards blown out of my hand on Cavern Point!  We saw a non-shalant fox  and picked up escorting Ravens, right at the start. At Potato Harbor we ran into most of the kayakers "on land", being led on hikes by their respective kayak guides!  It was plan B for them due to the increasing wind. However, in Potato Harbor  below, there appeared to be tropical calm retreat, as 3 boats were anchored and many of their crews were snorkeling in visibly clear and flat water. The Ravens seemed not phased by the wind at all, and went down to join the boats below.
 Dean reported that the Visitor Center was without power all day, so the videos and lights were not functional.This may exist as a problem for a while, we were told?  However, no one on the boat trip back complained about the day, that included a good deal of spry as we returned. At least 1/3rd of the kids aboard purposely got soaked in the spray, and still enjoyed a long encounter with  "people watching" Common Dolphin half way home who seamed especially interested in the kids peering at them who were dripping wet!    Paul Petrich