Jeff Barrell

I'm proposing a 3-day island camping trip around Deer Isle. I propose setting up a basecamp and a 15 - 18 mile paddle to Isle au Haut the next day, depending on weather and conditions. This would be for advanced intermediate or advanced paddlers that can paddle this distance and deal with tides / wind if necessary. We tailor the itinerary and the pace around the group and weather/conditions. The goal is being outside on the Maine coast with other fun-loving paddlers. You'll need some experience packing, launching, and maneuvering a loaded kayak (PM me if you don't). I prefer doing group dinners and with some help we can eat and drink well on a beautiful island setting.

Nice writeup Joe and thanks for your efforts making this a successful trip. My first time paddling up here and glad that you were paying attention to tides and weather.

Julia, I am interested in this paddle (dates are fine). I did a guided trip with Fjord en Kayak several years ago to check out the terrain and campsights. I don't normally do guided trips and prefer group / club adventures. Weather kicked up some big waves (surfed a tandem!) so this is not a casual paddle. My name might be unfamiliar in this club - I'm an L3 paddler with AMC in Boston. If the space is still available, we can discuss more on PM.

I was NOT planning to cross main channel (Deer Isle to Lovell) on a summer weekend afternoon (no death wish). My proposed route is all south of the main channel. There will be boat traffic, but mostly confined to few narrow crossings. An alternative launch can reach Brewsters in 6 miles, rather than 8 miles (one way).

Weather this weekend looks like fine paddling in Boston Harbor. I'm thinking a Sunday morning launch (~9:30) and paddle out to Little Brewster for lunch and lighthouse tour (~7.5 miles), then back (~16 miles round trip). I estimate our return around 4:00pm. May include stops at Lovells, Rainsford, or Spectacle for bio-breaks and such. The harbor can be an exciting place to paddle on a summer weekend, kinda exciting like crossing Rt.128 on a bicycle. There are 3 channel crossings that will likely be busy on the return, which we will do together (coming and going). You will need to be capable of paddling 16 miles at a moderate pace with appropriate breaks and such. There will be places with boat chop (smallish waves from multiple directions) to paddle through, which may include channel crossings. Do I have to say you need rescue skills as well? Aside from a few bad spots, most of this paddle is pleasant, scenic, and a visit to Boston lighthouse as it celebrates its 299th year. So, what you think or offer an alternative. Let me know if you're going and I will PM the launch location.

Guys, I am also withdrawing from this trip. I don't know if or how many are interested and I have another offer to pursue. It looks like another beauty weekend, so get out and enjoy. I presume Liz didn't pay a deposit, so nothing ventured, nothing gained.

My idea for July 8, 9 weekend is thus: we meet in Gloucester or Beverly on Sat morning (location, time TDB) and pack boats. We paddle 8-12 miles to Thatcher and unload / setup camp around lunchtime. Paddle over to Rockland in afternoon and ?? or we can paddle to Halibut point, depending on group ability, conditions, and desire. Back at camp by 5:30 for happy hour and dinner prep, eat a fabulous group meal, then stories and jokes around campfire (rather candlelight - campfires not allowed). Breakfast and coffee next morning and few hours lounging around. Pack up and launch by 11:00 (?) and paddle back to launch, perhaps stopping for lunch on the way. Weather will obviously alter this plan. There is a $10 fee at Thatchers, plus around $15 for dinner and breakfast. Participants will need to help prepare, cook, or cleanup.

I'm still willing to go (can't do the Aug dates). Is this campground reserved? Where in Gloucester can we park overnight? Are others still going?

I am interested in local camping - hard to do Maine over a 2-day trip. I'm concerned with plan for night paddle to dinner and breakfast (?) Even if we have moonlight, seems sketchy if seas are choppy. I've done plenty of group meals and can organize dinner. Is there a limit to group size? This is a big task for a large group (>15), but fairly simple for 6-8. I will need help preparing, cooking, and cleaning - many hands make easy work. Can someone else do breakfast? Gloucester to Thatcher is ~8 miles, so an easy paddle first day. On Sunday, was hoping to return to Gloucester going around cape Ann (13 miles), but tides are ebbing in the afternoon, which is paddling against the current with loaded boats. It can be done, but let's not plan it that way ;-) The same problem if we swap routes: 13 mile tour on Saturday puts us paddling down the Annisquam as tide is coming in.