4th of July weekend PINS trip and campout

We won't be leaving that early, that is high tide. We need to give it a bit before departing so the tide will be down a little and on the way out. Once we get there, it will be all primitive. No bathrooms or running water. We pack everything in and out. This is very detached from civilization. The tables at the base of the jetty are about 150 yards from the first area that camp can be set up. Tents, water, and extra fuel in case of a lot of deep sand en-route are a must. I will put together a list of the basics that we take. Also we live west of San Antonio and will be staying overnight there (Port A) in order to be ready on the morning of the run.

So far on my plans are to take 10 extra gallons of fuel and 10 of water on my jerry cans , plus Gatorade, etc. Water is mostly for my dogs to drink and to wash off the salt water before going to bed (this was a requirement from my girl). Basic first aid kit, some tools, maybe some wood if they lift the burn ban. My stove, lamp, etc

Rich, lets create that list, that way we don't take things twice in order to travel light.

To start off, I will be carrying my smoker in the Super Duty, and wood/charcoal for it. We will bring enough meat to cook for anyone that wants to eat some good food. I can do chicken, steak, cornish hens, pork chops, fajitas, etc. Some input on what folks like would be good.
Fuel
Water
Shovel
Plenty of tools
Tire plugs
Air compressor
Good first aid kit
Bedding
Tents (will be bringing the kid again)
Lights
Glow sticks
Awning
Extra food/snacks
Gatorade
Dog food (will be bringing the lab mix and my golden girl)
Fishing gear
Beer (God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy)
Ice chests
GPS
Binoculars
Ham Radio
Marine Radio (both radios in case of emergency)
GMRS Radios for family
Hygiene products
Cloths
I'm sure that I'm forgetting something, so I will add when I come up with it.

We will be heading down Wednesday night. We stay at the state park when we are there. We will stay till Tuesday. I carry my basics, gas tools, recovery, will have a tent. Now a fire extinguisher, (thanks for the heads up Rich) ill take whatever I need to help out, just let me know. Never done this before so I don't know what to expect.

To all the coastal guys, we are headed down this Wednesday (5/4) for a week. Would like to get together with a few of ya'll while we are there and wheel around. Would like to meet a few of you as we are down regularly and need some wheeling buddies.

Beached Bum, there are some great folks down there that can show you some spots!

Yea, gonna get together with GCP again. Hoping to get some more to go. Gonna post it like you did and hope to get some more. Need to put my jeep to a good test before the campout.

Article about the drive down the island:

The Wilderness Beach: A Down-Island Drive on Texas' National Seashore

The guy made it on a Subaru Baja, I think we are going to be more than fine!

Very cool

Now for a disclaimer. The beach conditions change all the time. It is possible that it would take an entire tank in a Jeep to get all of the way down, and another to get back. That is not the usual from our experience, but it is possible. If that is the case we may need to stop short and camp if everyone does not have enough fuel. The beach is different every time we have went all the way down. It may take 4 hours each way if the conditions are bad, if they are good, it takes about 2 1/2 hours each way. We won't know until we head down. This is a real expedition. I just want everyone to know that this is an unknown when we head out. We just have to leave prepared. Extra fuel may not be needed, or it may be imperative to get back. It is remote. I will have radios that may or may not reach someone, so take it at face value. We take the risk for ourselves and have done the trip several times. Everyone must make their own decision. We will do it again this time or camp short if it does not work out. Just want everyone to go into this with a complete understanding of the situation. Chances are, we will get down to the pass and have a great time. Don't want to be a downer but this is a serious run. We can haul some extra stuff for others, but only to the extent of the room in the bed of the Super Duty. If there are concerns, please feel free to call and discuss. Vicky has call duty at her hospital from tomorrow morning until Sunday morning so I may or may not be able to get online. But I will be able to answer the phone or text.

Rich and Vicky
(210)347-0470

I know how the tide on that beach can get.. I didn't time the tide right about 10 years ago and the gulf almost swallowed my ford ranger while i was trying to get out... I grew up making the port Arthur "mcfaddin beach" to crystal beach run.. So I'm savy on what this is all about.. But that tide at PINS does come up far enough making most of it impassable for those of ya wondering why we need to be there by 0700.... I'm excited... I love going on remote adventures like that..

Have kitchen clearance to go and bring a buddy Opie. Not definite until I get cleared to be off work Sat. July 2

Just got word my vacation was cleared. Nothing to hold me back now.

Just got the shower tent for Michelle.

Shower tent photo

If any of you have a wife/girlfriend/significant other that doesn’t want to come because there won’t be a place to shower/rinse the sand/salt off. You will be welcome to use the shower tent. Just bring the water. I have a shower water pump on its way.

this (above picture) is genius

Love it!

I am in. This sounds like the whole reason I got a jeep in the first place. I will be bringing my 2 boys ages 9 and 11. Is anyone else bringing kiddos?

Interested so far:

RichSATX
gilly_as
r_unda
Beached Bum
paramedac
Swamprat
Mr.RonGilbert
GCP/GCPP
Tvernon
Bizarro
jk4me
adaben

adaben wrote:

I am in. This sounds like the whole reason I got a jeep in the first place. I will be bringing my 2 boys ages 9 and 11. Is anyone else bringing kiddos?

We will be bringing our 14 yo son.

Hopefully my 16 yo will go.

Just got back from Corpus. Stayed at the State Park and went about 15 miles on PINS. Coyotes were everywhere, in the State Park, on the beach right next to our Jeep and near people on the Beach. Never seen them out and about like that. May be something we need to be prepared for. I've been going to coast regulary for over 15 years, both north and south padre and never saw a coyote one, always heard they were there but never saw one. but i saw many just in the seven days I was there. Just a thought.

Not good! be careful !

Beached Bum wrote:

Just got back from Corpus. Stayed at the State Park and went about 15 miles on PINS. Coyotes were everywhere, in the State Park, on the beach right next to our Jeep and near people on the Beach. Never seen them out and about like that. May be something we need to be prepared for. I've been going to coast regulary for over 15 years, both north and south padre and never saw a coyote one, always heard they were there but never saw one. but i saw many just in the seven days I was there. Just a thought.

Wincester PDX1 and the Taurus Judge problem solved

Beached Bum wrote:

Just got back from Corpus. Stayed at the State Park and went about 15 miles on PINS. Coyotes were everywhere, in the State Park, on the beach right next to our Jeep and near people on the Beach. Never seen them out and about like that. May be something we need to be prepared for. I've been going to coast regulary for over 15 years, both north and south padre and never saw a coyote one, always heard they were there but never saw one. but i saw many just in the seven days I was there. Just a thought.

As long as we keep the camp clean, food and trash stored properly I don’t think they would be a problem . With all the dogs we are going to have (Swamprat bringing 2, RichSATX bringing 2, myself bring 4) I don’t think they will come near. They usually stay away from people at least that’s my expirence. When I go running real late at night I usually see something between 1 to 8 coyotes on the street or at the empty lots, they usually just run away.

The coyotes are actually pretty ballsy on PINS. I have had one walk into camp begging for food. But Raul is right, they avoid dogs big time. We should be ok.

Raul, Swamprat has sausage dogs with legs. Coyotes probably would look at it as a meal. Don't think they would scare anyone off.