kate

Then it has served its purpose. (It has the same effect on me.)

My experiences with Newfoundland cuisine were .... unfortunate. But then, I don't eat seafood.

Thank you, Shari. I'm so glad you enjoyed the report. I have read Shipping News (and seen the movie) - that was shot on the north central coast, if I recall correctlly. I use 3 cameras: a Canon 20D dslr for pre- and post-trip photos (it stays in the car during the kayaking); a Canon G7 which travels in an Otter Box on the kayak deck, for land-based photos; and a Panasonic Lumix waterproof camera which travels in the deck bag for on-water use. Kate

Offered without having any insight into the physics of the situation: what if you use a smaller blade? less force building up than with a big blade? let's hear it for surfing with greenland paddles....

Aren't they amazing? My one and only sighting, up at Acadia last year, was heart-stopping. I didn't even think to take a photo.

I too am on the south shore and very sorry to miss this. Kate

I could not ask for a better tribute. I'm so glad you enjoyed reading the report. I wonder if it would be worth trying one short trip to see if energy levels are a problem. If you are part of a group, the division of labor might make it less onerous. k

I believe they were river otters, which it seems are around in large numbers in that part of Newfoundland. No puffins, I don't think they are in that part of the world. I saw 2 seals, which is two more than I've seen anywhere else while paddling in Newfoundland. I suspect the fishermen "discourage" them....

I tried to edit the original post to add what I would be deeply remiss to leave out: special thanks to Phil Allen, for loaning me his SPOT device (again!); to Suz Hutchinson for giving me last-minute assistance with dry suit gasket replacement (truly above and beyond the call, to the point of offering me a loaner if needed); and to my dear husband Mark for not hesitating a moment before telling me, "Wow, I think that will be a great trip. Go do it!" while he stayed home and took care of things there. No trip is truly a solo trip.

Andy, Just bring me along! k

Warren, thanks for your comments. It does become richer as we gain a breadth of experience with both remote camping and kayaking. So you are building up your own bank of knowledge. Digging into that bank is part of what I really enjoy about these trips, recognizing what I've gained over the years of kayak-camping, using it for this new location and situation. And of course there's always an unexpected new learning experience to assimilate.... Unfortunately I can't offer you much in the way of how leadership skills were developed on this trip, which I believe is a current interest for you. Anarchy reigned. We navigated on the whim of a moment. k

A solo week-long trip to Fortune Bay, on the south coast of Newfoundland. One hundred paddling miles of cliffs, waterfalls, sunsets, fog, bald eagles, islands, and wind. Trip Report Kate Hartland

I'm glad that you and all your group returned safe and sound.

sounds like you've found your answer, but fwiw I just had the same issue and solved it by using a bead of plumbers goop on the seam where hatch fixture meets deck. Probably the same general idea as lexel. Plumbers Goop seems to be my answer of first resort for all kayak repairs. Also for plumbing, now and again.

Just one more note - I'm such a blabbermouth! Back when I first started kayaking, whitewater, there was a fellow who had just gotten a new boat and gear. So enthusiastic was he to get on the water that he decided to go out by himself and try rolling. He flipped over, couldn't roll, and when he went to wet exit, there was no grab loop. It was tucked inside - he didn't know it should be otherwise. He drowned. I have never forgotten this.

I have a Seals sprayskirt with the little side loops. Last night I tried pulling off the sprayskirt using the loops, wearing my lightweight paddling gloves. I was unable to take hold of them with the gloves on. I could grab them with bare fingers, but only certain ones released the skirt, due to the shape of the coaming. I would not want to count on this as a means of removing the skirt, esp. under duress. I've had several skirts which could not be removed by pulling back on the grab loop, because the coaming was deep and sharp-edged and the skirt wrapped under it. The only way is to pull forward first, then up. And it does take some effort. Finally, I have both a Brooks and a Reed tuiliq. Both have grab loops, although the Brooks is basically two giant knotted bungees. (someone back in this thread said otherwise.) The Reed with the actual loop is much harder to pull than the Brooks. And, thanks for this thread. I tried last night to take hold of a chunk of sprayskirt next to my hip and pull it off. Unable to do so. I also tried raising a knee and pushing down with the foot to pop the skirt. No go. The Seals skirt wraps deeply under that coaming. Good to know. Kate

Congratulations, Warren! At this point I won't even be surprised if I hear that you are training to be an astronaut next!

splendid trip report. How wonderful! I too was sad to reach the end of your report. Thank you for documenting it for us, and for sharing your abundant enthusiasm.

very much enjoying your tale, but hoping you won't wait too long to add the next installment!

Ah, okay Ed, that snack regimen makes more sense to me. Dumplings are easy! I start the soup cooking. Meanwhile I add just enough water to the baggie with the dumpling mix to make it gooey but not runny. When the soup is boiling, I add dollops of dumpling dough to the top of the soup, then cover and simmer for 10 min or so. That's it! You can do the same for cobblers - a baggie of dry fruit with some cornstarch (to thicken the sauce), cinnamon and/or nutmeg and sugar, heated with water to boiling. Stir until it begins to thicken (not too thick or it will burn during the simmer - add more water if needed), then add the dumpling mix (a sweeter mix, if you wish, with a touch of sugar) softened with water, to the top in dollops. Cover and steam until done. Pure heaven in a single pot. k

That was actually Leslie who gave you great ideas. And I basically do what she suggested (adjusting for my personal preferences in food). I buy packets of dry stuff and spend an evening before the trip portioning everything into 1-meal baggies. Haven't used the Indian packets in awhile for the same reason you point out - too much food. A box of mac and cheese can be pared down (I like to use less pasta but all the cheese sauce, with some dried veggies added). You can portion out bisquick plus dry milk plus whatever additives (wheat germ, flax seed, corn meal, etc), to make a single-meal serving of steamed dumplings for over dry soups (not ramen, something more nutritionally substantial. the ones that come in cups, ready to add water, heat and eat). I do sometimes take along pre-cooked rice or beans from Trader Joe's. Also, red lentils cook much more quickly than other beans, no soaking needed, so they are a good additive for protein. Of course, oatmeal for breakfast is my standard. I just pack a single big sack of old-fashioned rolled oats with dried fruit and sunflower seeds and other such goodies. I heart me some oatmeal in the morning. No big secrets to impart, just perusing the grocery store to see what might serve, and then breaking it down to single servings. Ed, I don't know how you can eat a big meal at lunchtime. I feel sick afterwards while kayaking, if my lunch has been bigger than crackers and cheese.... Kate

That's very clever, marking it out in NM and using that parallel thingie. I have always just drawn parallel lines with a ruler, and figured close enough was good enough. I will keep your method in mind.

for what it's worth, I hold my pump in place (during camping trips, when hatch space is at a premium) with heavy-duty self-stick velcro strips attached to cockpit floor. I put it there 3 or 4 years ago and it's still there. I wouldn't count on it to hold the pump in surf, but it has served the purpose for me for a handful of multi-day trips.

For the same reason, I've been wearing NRS hydroskin paddling gloves while kayaking, for the past several years. Light enough to be comfortable, very grippy, they do the job. Kate

I am envious, Peter! A most excellent adventure in a beautiful place. I think you were bold to take on that 3-mile crossing alone, although obviously you did your homework. Kate