jason

The story talked about the FDA testing that would take 3 years. I was thinking that one of the natural companies will call it a supplement where they don't have to do the testing and get a big jump on the Market.

It will be a great day when we don't have to worry about our bug spray making us sick: http://www.npr.org/2011/04/18/135468567/repelling-bugs-with-the-essence-of-grapefruit

Leon, The sky hook used by the CIA and other Government originations was used to located pickup and hall people into planes. Without the balloon a person is much harder to find, thus it's a multi purpose item. Attempt to find someone in the waves is a difficult item even with lot/long coordinates.

I wonder if the CIA version works in the wind due to it being shaped more like a blimp than a weather balloon.

If a balloon is good enough for a CIA pickup from the middle of the ocean it should be good enough to help get us rescued. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_surface-to-air_recovery_system The balloon setup looks a nice find.

Rick is also shows up with some wonderful food. I don't see a paddle float making me a nice meal. :-)

I too would receomend the Big River ones.

White water lines get used for a lot more critical applications. They tend to be even thicker (easier on the hands). Lines in throw bags get put into use as emergency climbing gear and are (in the case of what I have) is much more stout than what I use on the ocean. My ocean tow belt has rope that's rated for 3000 pounds (less where it's tied). It's as big/strong as it is to make it not tangle and easier on the hands.

Just about every tow line we have has a much higher breaking strength than we need. The one I use has a spectra core. They could make it much smaller but it will tend to tangle and won't be very easy on the hands. One could make one out of the same line as we use as deck line to save space, Having it thicker makes it easier for one to work with and pull by hand when it has some tension.

If this person was part of NSPN it might have been a win for the hard knocks award http://www.canoekayak.com/touring-kayaks/unbroken-daniel-fox-shares-lessons-close-call-sea/

I have standardized on a 215 Ikelos as my paddle and my spare. Moving from my normal to the spare won't change my paddling. If I was to break a paddle your only breaking a 1/2 of the paddle. Thus if you break your spare too, you might break the other half and still end up with a full working paddle. (Odds are 50/50 but murphy's law tells you it will be the same side broken on the two). In the future I am looking at picking up the 4 piece Ikelos to make traveling by air easier. Having a pair of 4 piece paddles will allow for even more flexibility/redundancy for longer trips.

A followup on the Mainer that was attached by a polar bear: http://bangordailynews.com/2014/12/26/outdoors/collaborative-project-explores-mainers-attack-by-polar-bear-climate-change/

This was just shared with me. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/were-you-thinking-police-shocked-tourist-driver-6207304

I think that one can do that out west where they don't have to deal with the bugs. The only time we don't have the bug's one would want the sides of the tent to keep the snow out.

I like your style. I hope that everybody has a great time, I won't make it this year.

Growing up all of our teats had plastic ground cloths. We used to set the tent up in the basement on the plastic, slide the tent a 1/2" beyond 1 or 2 sides where it would fit, then trace the other sides with marker. We used to then cut the plastic a 1/2" inside of the lines, it wasn't fancy but it worked.

This was an interesting article I thought that I would share: http://kandtadventurizing.wordpress.com/2014/05/27/diy-tyvek-tent-footprint/

Even in white water, you want room, tight padding is a bit old school Rotation and edging is still very important, with a whitewater boat, too much padding will get in the way. Whitewater boats tend to have aggressive thigh braces that are normally out of the way when your upright but are great for when you need to roll. With white water the tightest part tends to be around one feet and that's just because of the lack of volume with the boat. The more playful the whitewater boat the less volume it will have on the ends.

The only padding I have in my boat is a little foam block as my back band. The only other foam I have is for my feet. -Jason

In the past Suz had trimmed a few for me using very sharp scissors. She had cut between the lines. I think that she said that the key is to leave the cut smooth without any nicks that can run.

Vegan one: http://www.sweetandsara.com/

I haven't found a coat to fit over my pfd, thoughts?

As much a MITA hates rock art I like it. :-) http://bangordailynews.com/2014/11/10/living/i-take-a-lot-of-happiness-from-making-people-happy-artist-uses-rocks-leaves-and-more-to-create-installations/

Another potential kayak food: http://trailbutter.com/

Maine Cape Ann to Boothbay (ideally 3 day solo trip). Newfoundland (this time with Ice bergs and no black flies). Outer Hebrides Cape Breton Island Wales (again)