jonsprag1

You're right---the backside (east side) of Isle Au Haut has very spotty cell phone coverage as do other parts of the Stonington area while some are excellent, others are non-existent---far better to file a float plan with relatives or Old Quarry to let folks know when you are overdue---glad to hear he is ok, but I bet there were some annoyed S&R types.

MITA used to start at East End Beach in Portland and for those traditionalists like me, it still does---extending it to Cape Porpoise was an impertinence---also it ends in Machias---The Maine Island Trail in New Brunswick is a contradiction in terms

I followed this last year when the whole thing occured---regardless of the safety gear he had or didn't have and his level of training and expertise, what he did was extremely dangerous--an 1100 mile open crossing over seas that have some of the highest winds and biggest waves anywhere(the roaring 40s). No amount of gear or training can make this voyage safe--this doesn't mean that McAuley shouldn't have attempted it--I personally was rooting for him to finish--but what ultimatly happened shouldn't be a shock to any experienced paddler. and BTW the kayak he was using was a commercially produced model with a couple of modifications to allow him to sleep--it wasn't something specially designed and built for the trip.

QUOTE(B @ Jan 8 2009, 02:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Next stop......Vineyard Sound ahhh would have been a long, long day

Ditto--keep working on the roll but don't let it keep you from paddling in the wintertime if you otherwise want to---Just be smart about it--

I'm not familiar with the area (only been to Cape Cod once in my life)--but I'm curious as to whether you could have paddled down stream with the current to a spot where it would have disapated or would that have put you too far out at sea?

I don't know about the Gaspe but on the coast of Maine, the prevailing winds are SW in the summer and NW in the winter.

Jon--just when you think your getting pretty skilled, the ocean always throws something like this at you.--- God just doesn't want us to get too cocky I guess sounds like you had a good day though

Where can I order one?

went to Baker Island from Southwest Harbor via Crow last Saturday---did the outside of the Cranberries on the way over and the inside on the way back---Point of Fact Baker is two miles from Crow not one, at least according to not only my GPS but another one belonging to one of my buddies. BTW did you notice that someone had actually built a fire on the grass campsite near the trees on Crow---what idiots---Crow is one of the few islands on the trail owned by private individuals, as opposed to private foundations like MCHT, Cherwonki, Nature Conservancy etc. and continued misuse like the campfire in absolutly the wrong place will result in its being taken off the Trial. Glad you had a good time and come back soon

I forgot to add that Barlett's Island is open to the public on most of the beachs on the north, west and south sides(but not the east side in front of those big houses) and I think you can camp there as well--but is not on the MITA list.

Lightening is the one thing that really frightens me on the water---I was caught earlier this year on Pushaw lake---rather largish one near Bangor---luckily I was close enough to an island so I could get ashore and wait it out. On the water I think I would paddle like hell to the nearest shore, maybe saying a silent prayer---don't think I would purposly capsize my boat than hide underneath in the cockpit---I'm not sure you could breath under there.

There is a symposium in September where one of the "courses" is a non-stop circumnavigation of MDI---I'm really not sure why anyone would want to do this other than the bragging rights or why they would be willing to pay 75.00 ((I think that is the fee) for the privilege---if you are a strong enough paddler to actually consider this paddle, you are strong (and knowledgible) enought not to require a guide. But if you are interested I think it is being put on by Aquaterra/Carpe Diem

you should have gone with the picnic girl---who knows you might have gotten lucky.

Like to paddle with friends but really love to paddle alone---but I'm a lot more careful about things(distance of crossings, weather, etc) when I'm out by myself---Paddled from the sears island causeway to Sprague's beach just south of Turtle head on Islesboro saturday---some risk in a 2.5--3 mile crossing but the weather was fine, forecast good, had all the right equipment, and had been practicing my rolls recently. Had a great time and a good paddle.