Gcosloy

Thanks to all who replied. I ordered the MSR Pocket Rocket for economy, availability of fuel, and simplicity. Since I'm going to be a newbie in this and initially just boiling water for freeze dried food, I won't need anything more exotic. I am impressed with all the knowledge and experience you responders have demonstrated. Making your own alcohol stove really took the prize. Although some forty years ago I used to do distance bicycle camping and made my own one man tent out of poly to save weight. Not much more than a bivy shelter.

Great workshop. Thank you John and Peter. I took the time to review what I learned today by practicing at home for a half hour. I feel much more confident now thanks to your efforts. By the way if you position the compass base against the latitude lines and rotate the bezel so that the lubber lines are parallel to longitude lines, you may demonstrate to yourself the declination. The magnetic needle points approximately 15 degrees West of true north.

I've got one day left to use my REI 20% discount. Appreciate a recommendation for a light, easy to use, safe camp stove. (for Kayak camping, of course). There are so many alternatives and I don't have the time now to do the research. Sometimes I wish I lived in Russia where store shelves would have but one selection for just about any consumer entity and then usually would be out of stock any way. Many Russians look down their noses at us Americans and our consumer society and claim a superior spirituality for themselves. Who knows- the flip side is, if they disagree with you, they may throw acid in your face!

Sunday is the NSPN workshop on navigation. I'm open for a paddle on Saturday.

Rob, Couple of other suggestions: Odiorne just inside the rock wall. Also Lanes cove-paddle south along the shore to Hodgkin's cove-couple of sandy beaches and a protected ideal spot to practice.

In cold weather, I start out with NRS Maverick gloves. They're water tight but if its cold and windy my fingers get too cold. At that point I will slip them into a neo pogie which is so warm I could go bare handed. Even if you prefer pogies they won't help you during immersion or monkey walking off the beach into surf. You need the gloves!

Hi Gary, I'm in!

Warren, Ink me in for the June trip.

Question: I'm evaluating tents at KTP for kayak camping and the first one I set up was a Big Agnes 2. The floor is 36sg ft. which seemed humongous to me for one person. Any recommendations for one person tents that have a bit more room say 20--25sq.ft. Or is there a good reason to go with the 2 person tent that I'm not aware of. Pack size and weight are not an issue.

Question: I'm evaluating tents at KTP and the first one I set up was a Big Agnes dual2. The floor is 36sg ft. which seemed humongous to me for one person. Any recommendations for one person tents that have a bit more room say 20--25sq.ft. Or is there a good reason to go with the 2 person tent that I'm not aware of. Pack size and weight are not an issue. Oh, sorry I didn't intend to hijack the tarp question.

Stating the obvious, its much more important to dress for the water than the air. If the water is warm as it should be in July-Sept. it really doesn't matter too much what you wear to stay warm in the air. I like my drysuit for Dec. to May. During the few transition months like Oct. and June I wear a wet suit and usually carry a paddle jacket in the day hatch. Another item to consider if you're limited to the wet suit is a neoprene jacket. NRS makes a nice one. It helps keep you warm when its windy and if you go in the water you now have 6mm at least around your torso.

APRIL 7th Gould Barn: I plan to be there. Have compass (and chart), will travel!

Rob, I found an Irish author's phrase that may apply to your trip on St. Patrick's Day: "A man of genius makes no mistakes," Stephen Dedalus says in "Ulysses." "His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery." I would have rather said a man of adventure, but then I'm not James Joyce.

Warren based upon our PM's pencil me in for May and June trips. We'll stay in touch and if I need to cancel it will be done in enough time so as to allow others to take my place.

Rob, First let me thank you for your honest trip report. In the past tough days on the water or even screw ups were hardly posted when the shark responses were about to pounce. Second I think there is an interesting dichotomy that separates "conditions that will challenge me and help me grow" and "planning and safe practice". Given the conditions you write about last Sunday you made the right decision to stay in the channel and Little Harbor. As you pointed out there were numerous bailouts all along the way even if pickup from there would have been inconvenient. I am a solo paddler on occasion when I can't get anyone interested but I do not go out in the winter solo and never did. I agree with Doug's points on this account but realize its a personal decision we all need to make for ourselves. As I age past the median age of most NSPN members I don't reflect so much on celebrating my years of paddling and hard won skills but instead a certainty that the phrase spoken by Dirty Harry "A man's got to know his limitations" is more applicable, at least for me. My most interesting and learning experiences were facing challenges that I survived. Like yours they will be the most memorable looking back. Had I been 20 years younger I would have joined you and if Leon were here he could have towed us both back with no problem. Excellent report and continue to stay safe.

Eh, just my two cents worth: I paddle an NDK Romany elite with keel strip. I have had no problem with two years worth of rock play. the Elite of course is NDK's lighter layup which probably puts it in the category of Canadien or US boats. I also own a clear coated Ellesmere over kevlar which at 44lbs. is lively and fun on the water but cannot be used for rock play without damaging the fibre. I intend to spray a heavier coat of clear gel this summer to protect the kevlar better. I don't believe going much beyond 55 lbs. provides any additional advantages.

Blaine-Best of luck with this. Leon had one recently and I'm getting one fairly soon too. Ah the pleasures of age!

Rob-I share your experience with the Piscataqua. Years ago I planned several initial trips based upon tidal information only and was caught several times battling current that wasn't anticipated. Also just encountering the holes and boils and rips that seem to exist even during slack water gave rise to the comment "what the f---"! Now that you're more comfortable with the river I suggest you check out the back channel, the narrow passage between Kittery and Seavey Island. The water narrows considerably under a couple of bridges and provides plenty of excitement if you like current.

Normally, I respond when I plan to join a trip and if I were feeling fit I would love to join this one. A racking cough over three days has left my torso sore so I'm not sure I could paddle without pain. Have a great and fun time and I will look forward to the next opportunity to paddle with you folks.

If you check out the current tables for the Piscataqua you can make a generalization that current continues to flow for about 1.5 hours after HT and 2 hours after LT before achieving slack water. The reasons for this are complex but can generally be explained by the Big Bay and its many river tribs northwards. They take a lot longer to fill and empty! I don't remember all the reasons for this but it has something to do with the fact that there are different types of tides at work here. Most of us are familiar with planning based upon LT and HT which is usually also coincident with slack water. The Great Bay demonstrates hydraulic tides which changes the timing considerably. As a general rule of thumb when planning a trip that involves the Piscataqua around Portsmouth or New Castle rely more on the slack water forecasts in the current tables than HT & LT forecasts. Also by becoming familiar with max current flows around certain areas in the river like Henderson Point and Salamander Point you will know where the trouble spots are if you plan wrong. Current flows in these areas can be as much as 4 knots. Conversely, the mouth of the harbor is relatively immune to strong currents because of its relatively wider width. From Fort Constitution (the CC station) down to Jaffrey Point the worst you could expect is less than 1 knot of max current. Which is why I prefer to launch at Frisbee wharf in Kittery Point and paddle down the harbor oblivious to tide forecasts and either play on the rocks in Rye or paddle north towards Brave Boat. Coming back I can have the same indifference to tides.

Some info about the area: LT is about 9AM however current tables predict that current continues to ebb for about two hours afterwards leading to slack about 11AM. Ideally you might leave Pierces at 10AM travel down the Piscataqua paddle around Jaffrey Point. After lunch or stopping for a break at Little Harbor travel up through the back harbor to Pierces on the tide change. That's how I would plan a circumnavigation for Sunday.

I have a mild latex reaction but I apply a liberal dose of talcum powder before donning my dry suit to wrists and neck and haven't had a problem.

Two seasons ago I managed to break a rib doing a T rescue. Didn't know it at the time but it took about six weeks until I no longer felt pain while paddling.

Those broad smiles says it all!

Thanks for sharing an important subject many of will face as time takes it toll on us all. I too need serious back surgery as well as hip replacement but for other reasons have decided to treat myself with swimming and stretching. There are limits however-I can't carry loaded boats or help others with same. I'm glad however that it worked for you.