Gcosloy

John-thanks again for a very informative session. I think I have learned enough to be able to calculate ferry angles at home. Les-In the first session which you may have missed, John had us use the parallel rule to locate magnet north from a compass rose on the chart and then using dividers space multiple lines parallel one knot apart. You now don't need to add the declination value for magnet but also have a useful measure of distance at least approximately from east to west and west to east.

I like Peter's suggestion of two pods and two launch sites. Since I've never paddled in this area I would be just as happy to leave from Cousin's unless there is a problem leaving cars there overnight.

Hi Bob, Happy to volunteer for the workshop: I have over the years owned many boats and demoed many more-I wish I knew as a newcomer what I know now about appropriate boats for individuals-happy to share this experience if you think it useful and will also schlep one of my prized boats to the venue. Gene

Gary, Assuming we launch from an area still on my chart, I would be happy to volunteer for the navigation role.

I'm not going to make a judgment either way. Just to say the obvious: If you're going to go to bear country be prepared to defend your life against their natural aggression, or support your guide's decision to do the same. If either of those options are unacceptable to you, do not go to bear country! I will not be going to bear country anytime soon.

If you're referring to Katherine's tongue in cheek post about Alaska bears, then I would say you need a sense of humor. Her post breaths a breath of fresh air into a forum that is frankly sometimes too officious and stuffy. We need to lighten up more, isn't this sport supposed to be fun? And if her post was deadly serious, which it very well might be; what's wrong with her expressing a dissenting opinion about a subject that is bound to cause controversy?

I have the Olympus 8010 which I've used for a couple of seasons. I rinse with fresh water after each use and no problems yet-I like the auto lens cover that keeps blurring water spots off the lens. Sharpness is a bit soft and some pictures need to be sharpened with software like iphoto or something similar. My experience is that the Lumix has sharper lenses but the Olympus is more robust.

I'm enjoying the National Geographic reality show called "Survival Alaska". In last Sunday's episode the competing groups had to traverse bear country. while they were fishing a shallow stream for salmon, they were unknowingly competing with local bears for the same food. One participant was on the opposite shore from his companions when a large bear saw him couching to adjust his foot-ware. The bear sensing a meal started across the stream toward him and then broke into a run. The potential meal stood up and raised his arms to the sky and that gave the bear pause and it slowly retreated. I don't know if this would work each and every time but in the absence of a large caliber weapon, make yourself big!

Thank you John for a wonderful session. I particularly liked the information about being aware of the surroundings and being able to perceive navigation clues from your environment without relying on a compass. I'll need to remember to pay more attention to these clues when I paddle.

John, I have the Maptech waterproof chart 21 which is Boston Harbor. It appears to be similar to the NOAA chart except the scale is 1:33000 will I be able to use this for the exercise?

I always use a cockpit cover to increase streamlining on the car and potentially save gas and clip on to a bungy in front of the cockpit.

John, Its not as accurate but in a pinch a folded sheet of paper and a length of string marked out in nautical miles could substitute for parallel ruler and dividers.

I read the article and thought that fishermen could benefit from wearing one of those PFD's that sailors favor-flat , light and un-inflated unless you pull a cord or hit the water. The other idea was that when working with an open deck to the water as he was he could have been tethered-again another safety practice of many sailors. Great story and one of great courage and mental focus in a confusing and scary situation.

Awesome craft made precise by modern manufacturing techniques. His paddles seem like the perfect gift-something you would feel guilty about giving yourself but would be super grateful to receive from someone else! I think I'll send this video to my kids!

Amazing! Have to love the mammals in the water.

Congrats to all. Pru did you do the knee? If so good luck with that. I'm currently PT ing for my second hip with the same goal as yours. (but I hear that knees may be a tougher road than hips).

Cathy, Thank you-you were right-that was the problem-all is fine now!

Do you mean my computer settings; if so they are correct? Are there settings for the NSPN site as well?

OK Here is my Copy & Paste: Taking place 26 Jan 2014 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM (Single Day Event

Peter, go to calender-click next month for January-click on the 26th calender event-and the banner states 6-9PM. Or try a direct link: http://www.nspn.org/forum/calendar/event/895-kayak-navigation-finding-our-way-by-john-huth/

The calender entry lists the time as 1PM to 4PM but the banner above it lists the time as 6PM to 9PM. Could cause some confusion?

For whatever its worth, research shows that those who have more than they need are no happier than those who have what they need! I just feel sorry for those who don't even have what they need! What about people like me who already have 2 boats and are hankering for a third? Am I on the cusp of catching a bit of the illness that David Geffen suffers from?

While most recent attempts to legislate kayaking behavior have been ill designed and unhelpful there is one law I'd like to see established for the community: Any kayak on the water needs to have an identification sticker attached: owner name, address of owner and telephone contact. Composite boats could be supplied with waterproof stickers attached to the inside of the cockpit and plastic or even inflatable boats could sport a laminated sticker to attach to the front or rear toggle. This simple remedy could avoid millions of dollars being wasted for rescue searches that are unnecessary.