kate

Just a note on this alcohol stove matter... I find them to simmer MUCH better than any other stove I've ever tried. You have to use the separate simmer cover, but then it will go on at a very low simmer for a good 20 minutes at least. Also, I've had coleman stoves leak (and explode into flame!) more than once. I do not trust them. I've never had alcohol leak from the plastic bottles. Have you ever had water leak from one? I haven't. of course, I am careful in packing them, but I don't see danger here. And you can put them in a nalgene bottle instead, or any other container, if that feels safer. Just my experience over the past five years of 7-9 day trips, and subject to change, of course. And I realize they are not for everyone. Mark doesn't like them (I don't know why not). I'm very happy with mine though. Kate

Oooo, juicy subject for me! It took awhile to wrap my head around the fact that I wouldn't be carrying everything on my back so weight was not the big issue. Different people have different priorities - Mark likes to carry everything, even an iron skillet. I am comparatively minimalist, using my little alcohol stove and a single pot and spoon. It wasn't until 2 years ago that I allowed myself the luxury of a small camp pillow instead of rolling up clothing for a pillow. So, what you take depends on what you feel you need for enjoying the trip. I swear by my Mountain Hardware Trango 2 tent. It's a 9-lb-er, but who cares? It will stand up to wind and rain, is free-standing (for pitching on rock slabs), and roomy with 2 nice vestibules and clear windows both overhead and through the front fly flap. I know that NOLS folks use this tent too. But I found it first! A second tent choice would be one of the single-wall tents like the Hilleberg ones. I used one on my very first kayak camping trip with MIKCO and really liked it. Pricey though! Sleeping bag - not down (if wet, doesn't insulate). But anything else is fine, I think. I bought a short compact one because I am not 6' tall. Figure on something warm to at least 40 degrees, maybe? It's cold at night on the water. I highly recommend the Exped Synmat 7 ground pad. I've never slept better in a tent. Makes all the difference for me. Seriously, go get one. They fold up very small (I don't use the pouch they come in - I roll them like a pencil and stuff into my old thermarest sack, to fit into the rearmost stern). Cookware - again, I go minimalist. I'm not there to spend an hour on a meal. Your priorities may differ. I like my homemade alcohol stove. I take one pot with lid that doubles as saucepan, a bit of foil for a windscreen, a circle of wire mesh that serves as pot-stand over the stove, one spoon, my thermal mug. Done. Everything fits into the pot (except the mug). Mark would have a lengthier list The alcohol stove uses denatured alcohol which can be found at any hardware store, and which can be stored in a plastic bottle (an emptied Polar Springs or whatever), much easier to store than the clunky metal coleman fuel ones. Other essentials: a nylon tarp with cord takes little room and is very handy on rainy days, if you are camping amidst trees. I like chart cases rather than laminated charts, simply because I can securely clip them to the deck lines. Having a chart disappear could be a real disaster. I swear by a deck bag for kayak camping trips. I like to have certain things at hand. Here's my deckbag list: DECK BAG sunblock hood/hat/gloves sunglasses spare reading glasses foghorn emergency food bars boat light bag of carabiners drysuit zipper wax multitool ibuprofen throwrope All this and more is listed on one of my trip report pages: http://www.cathyhartland.com/mingan/mingan_supplies.htm and for what it's worth, here are a few gear reviews after that trip: http://www.cathyhartland.com/mingan/mingan_gearreview.htm (I still think those Playpus 4L bags suck. Will never use one again.) Fun stuff, planning these trips! Kate

I use this one too. And I do use it. I only ever spray DEET on my clothing (brimmed hat, mostly), not my skin. The only place skeeters can reach is my hands, and it's pretty easy to swish them away. Like Suz, I look for breezy areas to camp. But sometimes (like early morning) there is no breeze. I think that on my next trip I'm going to take lots of breakfast items that don't require cooking. I will say that no-see-ums (or blackflies? not sure) managed to get through/under the net and make a hash of the back of my neck in Newfoundland. Sometimes you eat nature, and sometimes nature eats you.... kate

Aha! I did not understand. Thanks!

I generally just go to google maps, right-click on the location, and choose "drop lat/lng marker". I have to convert them into the units that my GPS uses (google for a conversion widget), but it's pretty quick and easy.

Well-deserved award! And my best wishes for your quick recovery. Having a new boat on the way is great incentive to stick with the PT program - very wise of you to arrange it! I hope to meet you and Pru in the coming year. Kate

Beautiful place! Seems like you had a real good plan in place for where to go each day, and left yourself plenty of time to relax. And hey! You used the cat stove! I see from the videos that you set it up a little differently than I do (I use a wire mesh pot stand for more pot-stability). I guess that's the beauty of a simple design - it's easily varied according to individual preference. I agree with Warren about the PB&Jx4.... On my trip this summer I decided not to even bring PB. Didn't miss it a bit. Love that 4th photo with the fall foliage colors and serene water. kate

Good heavens. My stomach was clenched through the whole report. Puts me in mind of several trips where I felt that intuitive uneasiness and decided to bail. I might have been fine on those trips, and other participants may have been surprised by my decision, but I've come to trust that gut feeling. This report reinforces my intention to say no when I feel uneasy (beyond simply pushing the comfort envelope), even if I can't articulate why. And to respect others' choices as right for them. I'm really impressed by the sense of responsibility of the author, and how he hung in and helped for so long. Kate

I miss Walden too! Oh, very much! But... one does what one has to do, and it's also pretty nice to live 20 minutes from New Inlet, the South Shore's answer to Plum Island. My old case (I couldn't find it online, probably not made anymore, and rightly so) was always difficult to close. It just kept getting worse. The new one - well, time will tell but it's much more flexible from the get-go. And I figure it was cheap, so it's an easy experiment to make. The closure is rather different from the Seal Line one that you reference. Let me know if you come south to paddle sometime! K

I believe the cases are made for NRS, so you won't find them elsewhere. You are welcome to come see mine It has a simple but robust ziplock-type seal. My old one had this too but was very stiff - I actually stood on it to make it seal. This new one I can do with my hands, easily. k

I have used charts that I've cut and laminated, with a hole punched in one corner to tie it to the deck lines, and that is Mark's preferred way to handle it. Myself, I like to use a chart case. My old one sorta sucked but I just got a new one, the NRS HydroLock Mapcessory Map Case that is much much nicer, and quite cheap: http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2975&pdeptid=1766 . For locations in the USA, I will generally look first for NOAA BookletCharts which are currently free for downloading: http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/BookletChart.html . I have also ordered from Boxell's Chandlery (the name alone is worth patronizing them) and have gotten great service: http://www.cgedwards.com/Boxells/Chandlery.html and sometimes I've ordered directly from NOAA. Many options! (and none of them a source of waterproof charts - sorry!) kate

I demoed the Polar last year at CRCK. (The Atlantic was too big for me - 5'6" 120 lb.) Here's what I wrote at the time: "I then paddled the Polar. It was an acceptable kayak but not very much different than my Avocet, and somewhat less comfy. It had a very low flat foredeck which seemed to me to be unlikely to fare well in heavy seas - but I can't say so with authority." I remember that I didn't very much care for it and didn't stay in it for long before moving on to other kayaks that I found more suited to my body and tastes. kate

Let me be the first to say how very much I enjoyed reading this report! I think that the difference between 10 mosquitoes around one's head and 30 mosquitoes is not really noticeable. Sounds like you suffered much more than I did, actually. There's definitely some knowledge to build up about how to pick a good kayak camp site - access at all tides is one I learned early on, after being stranded until the tide came back. Certain sorts of ground cover seem to breed more mosquitoes than others too. I'm so glad you got to camp on the amoeba island (I think I know which one, and it's a small gem). All in all, a wonderful adventure, yes? Thank you for posting it, and I look forward to the photos. Kate

that is exactly what I did. Interestingly, this stretch of coast had very little in the way of driftwood or washed up wood (or any other debris, for that matter. cleanest shoreline I've ever seen). So when I couldn't find any I either used seaweed, or once was able to drag the boat across boggy reeds which were marvelously slippy-slidey, or as last resort I could lift first the stern and move it up the shore, pivoting on a single point on the bow; and then the bow, pivoting on the stern. This minimized the damage as compared to dragging the boat along its whole keel-line. This issue definitely impacted where I chose to land, and put a lot of choices off-limits for me. k

Is there any part of the coast that isn't spectacular?? Fortune Bay is one I was really thinking hard about for this year, but .... just too far away. I'd also love to paddle the northern peninsula, Quirpon. I don't think that's a solo trip. you can reach me at my gmail address: clearskykate

I have not yet discovered a preference either. They are both wonderful. k

thank you, you understand exactly what I was feeling. I decided to err on the side of having an anxiety-free trip. The challenges of doing everything alone were quite enough. (I did come home and go surfing the next day, which felt great!) k

That's great, Warren! I'm so glad you are enjoying the experience. Oh goodness, where next, you ask. Well, Maine has many bays! How about Muscongus? Or the downeast area - out of Jonesport or Machias? I don't know your skill level.... But I bet if you ask this question on the main discussion board, you'll get lots of suggestions. k

Newfoundland stands apart from all other venues for me. I would love to go back... if only they didn't keep it so far away... How fortunate you were to live there 2 years! and to go back for a month next summer!! Where did you live, and paddle? I will definitely let you know if I manage to head there again. k

Click here to view the full trip report. I had big plans, but Nova Scotia had different plans for me. My route northward was completely thwarted. A hurricane came and snatched away a day from me. Police got involved. It was a glorious vacation along one of the most beautiful coastlines I've ever seen. What more could I ask from a sea kayak trip? The report is full of text, for those who want all the kayaking details, but you can just enjoy the photos too. I hope each of you has the opportunity to paddle here someday! I hope I get to do so again too. NK

It sounds like we have similar attitudes toward these trips. I tend to carry them out much as you describe here. Oh, I think Bruce will remember the woman with the pink kayak! Please send him my regards. And Dora's too! kate

Excellent report and wonderful photos! Brings back memories of my own trips there. I love the suggested image of you as Popeye with the foghorn pipe. You traveled a fair piece over 5 days. So glad that you got to camp at Halifax Island. One of my favorites. Was there anything you'd do differently next time? (besides memorize your wife's phone #) Any particular piece of gear that worked well or didn't work? Kate

I've used those Trader Joe's pouches and used sea water for the boiling. Worked fine! You are going to Mingan! Can't wait to hear from you when you get back! Hope you can fit in a stop along the Saguenay area of the St Lawrence to see all the whales, too... k

I'm so pleased that you have found my reports to be useful! You are much more thorough than I - it seems that I must learn by making mistakes rather than heeding the suggestions of others. It sounds like you are well-prepared to explore out there. You'll have a wonderful time! Can't wait to read - and learn from - YOUR reports! kate

I like the Stonington (Deer Isle) area for this purpose. The launch is easy and well-protected. There are many islands so it's easy to hop from protected water to protected water on your way to a campsite. You're never very far from land, but there's a sense of solitude. The camp sites are lovely. I think September is a great time to go - less competition for campsites, more solitude. There's enough kayaking to last several days at least. Landings are easy. I can't think of anywhere on the Maine coast that would be a better starting place. But I sure haven't exhausted the possibilities, so maybe someone else will inform us both of other places! NK