kate

I used to have a candle lantern in my backpacking days - I don't remember it throwing off enough heat to be significant, and in fact the light it gave was so dim that I felt it didn't earn its place in my pack. I don't think it poses a particular fire hazard, not like cooking in a tent (which I don't do). I just don't think it's worth bringing. Bring those hand/foot heat packs instead. Much warmer and take less room. k

Great turnout for this event last night, full house. Thanks to everyone who came, and for your questions and input. I wish there had been another hour just for discussion amongst us all! And kudos to Suz who gave structure to the evening and a lovely balance to my way to viewing camping, not to mention a tremendous amount of information. So great to see old friends and make new ones! Kate

MITA is Maine Island Trail Association. Katherine, you don't mention a time range for this trip - midsummer? late spring? fall? The general time frame would determine my ability to participate. Did you have something particular in mind? Kate

Audrey, I'll be coming up from the south shore, so if I can get there, I think everyone else will be able to get there I look forward to meeting with you. Kate

I do not make up the trip as I go. I stick to my plan, although I may juggle the order of events around according to weather conditions; e.g., leaving out that 1.5 mile crossing to an island when the wind kicks up against me, or deciding to hit it on the way back. I leave a float plan with someone, and it's important not to veer too far from it unless there are compelling reasons. I find I'm less and less interested mileage and more in exploring. I go out there to see that part of the world, and to blast past it is pointless to me. I have read accounts of circumnavs (Newfoundland comes to mind) in which the paddler expresses regret at having to pass by a beautiful bay or group of islands because a timetable must be met. Seems a grand pity to me. I guess it depends on what you want out of the trip.

My goodness, it looks like such a daunting list, but as I read through it I realized that I do most of that stuff too, just not in a particularly organized way. You mark the tides on the deck of your boat? Interesting! I usually tuck a tide table into the chart case in one corner, but I find that after a day or two I am tuned in to what the tides are doing and don't really need to consult it. Rob asks some good questions. My responses: 1) How do you decide whether or not you will paddle a trip solo or invite others? How risky is venue? Do I want someone to cover my back? These are the wrong reasons to paddle with others! If it's that risky, that I feel I may need rescue, I should probably pick another venue. I decide simply based on whether or not I want company. 2) Do you have any process for determining how many you will invite on a trip? It decides itself - there are only a few people who will go with me. One important factor: how many tents will campsites hold? The more tents, the harder to find a place to camp. 3) What restrictions, if any, do you have on your solo trips (such as no open ocean, current restrictions, or weather limitations)? I don't restrict it in this way. Instead, I try to plan such that there are always alternatives in case of rough conditions. Because I often go to places where I have not been before, I can't know what I'll find (charts can lead me to make educated guesses, of course). So I choose locations where I can easily switch to plan B - inside passage instead of outside, exploring a bay instead of a bold coast, traveling where there are many islands to break up the strength of waves, etc. If there's no place to switch, I decide ahead of time that I'll wait out bad weather or simply turn back. 4) Have you, or will you, ever seek a "wilderness" expedition? I guess it's in the eye of the beholder. They all seem like wilderness once I'm out of sight of human presence. The most wilderness I've done was with Mark in Newfoundland.

My minimalist approach: I use cheap $20 dive shoes. They slip over the foot snugly, keeping out stones and sand, no buckles or straps to break. They have a good grippy but not bulky tread on the sole. They are cool in the summer. In cold weather they slip over the drysuit socks. They dry out really quickly which helps keep away the stink, and I sprinkle them with a little foot powder to help with that. If they wear out quickly (they usually last at least one season and often 2), it's not too hard to shell out a 20 for another pair at the local dive shop. This is the general idea: http://tychoice.com/product/14231065560/Men's+Decathlon+scuba+diving+dive+shoes+TRIBORD+Aquashoes+100

Definitely do this one. I did it with a group of 50 (!) paddlers from all over the East Coast. Quite an experience - the ferries are the biggest danger, or maybe the pollution of the East River. It's a loooonnngg day, but how cool is it to see NYC from this unusual vantage point? I hope you get a chance to do this. kate

I've done the Cuttyhunk trip so I'm sure you'd be equal to it, John. That said, I can't recommend it. Most boring scenery ever - the Elizabeths look exactly the same for mile after mile. Wow, that was a long day. kate

My goals: 1) Find the perfect surf kayak (light enough to carry, maneuverable, easy to roll, long enough to make the paddle out to the offshore break, not too many $$) 2) do something (anything) that will make Lorrie exclaim, "How did you do that? I want to do that!" Ah, those were the good old days; hard to find any such thing now! 3) Roll every time I paddle. Lots of rolls. 4) Learn rolls that will make Lorrie exclaim, "How did you do that? I want to do that!" 5) Lobby to make the homemade alcohol stove the official NSPN kayak-camping cookstove. One-pot cooking for all. 6) Go to Warren for camping advice!

I was the happy recipient of both these recipes. The frybake was the smash hit of our trip. I wish it would fit in my little NDK hatch openings.... maybe the smaller one.... My own recipes will probably not hold a candle to Suz's offerings. Maybe I'll dig out the cobbler recipe though. Soup with dumplings, and cobblers with steamed biscuit crust are easy to make in a single pot from dry ingredients. These are my standard go-to meals for camping.

Merino wool for me too. Very warm, doesn't hold the smell. Smartwool garments even have good styling. I use them for skiing and paddling. Christmas is coming, put it on your list!

short addition to this conversation: alcohol stove will not fail in cold weather. takes more fuel than in warm weather, but no parts to freeze up. I hear that with a wick it works more efficiently. (I will have to try that one.) myself, I put away the kayaks and get out the skis in December. Happy camping, Warren and Rob! k

I agree with Scott, and have been sorry more than once that I didn't break camp, when I had difficulty returning to it. And, I too am picky about campsites (ask the other folks on the Newfoundland trip - I'm pretty sure they were ready to string me up for insisting on finding the RIGHT campsite). Glad you found one you liked better.

thoroughly enjoyed the report, AND the photos. I'll stick with tent over bivy, esp. since the kayak is doing the carrying. On a storm-bound day, the close confines of a bivy would make me crazy. Were you sorry that you'd broken camp just in case you couldn't get back? Or did it turn out to be wise?

I've been privileged to watch Lorrie progress from wide-eyed newbie to confident, skilled leader. I've observed some of what she has struggled with while gaining her skills. Such determination this woman has! There was never any question in my mind that she would pass this assessment, no matter what the Gulf of Maine threw at her. Congratulations, Lorrie! Well done. Kate

thank you! (and it sounds like your 2013 summer will be an exciting one!)

The muddy start does sound unfortunate. Seems to me, though, that you work very well with Mother Nature. She changes her mind, you change your itinerary. And you find something to enjoy while making that change. Win-win, as far as I can tell. I say "well-played", Warren. (I do wish there were more photos of your trips, for those of us who are at least as much visual as literary.) Kate

My hat is off to you for sticking it out as long as you did! And I love the idea of a turnaround time rather than place. And sometimes it's best to go find a hotel. Thanks for the delightfully-written report, Pru! Kate

I second the Scott Cunningham suggestion for Nova Scotia. kate

Booties essential. The relief zipper I don't use very often and could probably do without it, but it's nice to have when I really need it. I wish mine had the piece to go over the sprayskirt tunnel - that would keep the cockpit drier. And I've developed hood envy while paddling in cold rain with a friend who has a hood on her drysuit. I'd definitely add that if I were to purchase a new one (which I may never have to do, as Kokatat replaced my 6-yr-old suit 2 years ago). Not a big deal - I used a thin neo balaclava instead of a hood - but since you asked... Kate

Aw gee.

Thank you, Al. I'm glad you enjoyed it! Kate

Your reflections exactly mirror the place and people. And the pie. Back to Mingan next year? I've been thinking it might be worth a revisit too. You are going with Agaguk?

Pru, take heart! This is the typical scenario, exactly as I've done and as I've known others to do, and you are right on track. It's not rolling failure, it's the path of learning. Next you'll start hammering the rolls when you need them - sometimes. Then more often. The more you practice, the sooner it will all become embedded and at the ready. Just keep doing what you're doing. k