PeterB

I think that tows are generally underutilized, so it looks to me that in the situation described here a tow was a perfectly sound option. Looks to me like conditions were such that the risk of lines in the water was minimum, towing aided the group and didn't put the tower or group at any added risk, so, if it helps the group achieve its desired destination, and forestalls any worsening of the situation ( that would be the big A in " CLAP": anticipation , awareness avoidance of problems before they occur) then why not? I guess that one of the challenges in towing is how the towee feels about it, but i would offer that being both group conscious and a competent and proactive victim and participating positively in ones own rescue/tow ( kayak parlance for , eg , person being rescued or needing a tow) is actually another advanced skill. A few years ago i was seasick in advanced conditions and asked for a tow; and i'm glad that i did rather than try to gut it out , which almost surely would have led to a more difficult time for both me and my group, so in this case , initiating the tow earlier was better than later. In my own BCU training, I was taught that if a leader's judgment a tow is needed, to just initiate the tow: I've done just this several times (usually with a fellow paler either having trouble with directional control, or fatiguing in the wind and it's s never been a problem.

Yes, I was mystified at the circumstances of the incident; I don't think we know anyone among us reading these pages who would venture into 35 degree waters without a drysuit, do you? Given that the group was well appointed to the degree of having a private helicopter at their disposal for rescue and that they were lifelong outdoors adventurers , it clearly wasn't for lack of money or resources or experience that they were paddling as they were , so either there's some missing information , or misinformation, in the article or they had succumbed to the classic hubris that sometimes attends experienced practitioners. In a Melvile book "Redburn: His First Voyage" it is described how it was never new or young crew members who fell from the rigging (they were scared, and watched every hand and foot placement) but it was experienced ones who fell: their hand and foot placements became ingrained and automatic and one day, that hand or foothold wasn't where it always had been before; i've heard the same of cavers, rock climbers, scuba divers. An editor of Outdoor magazine once broke both ankles casually hopping down from a three foot tall boulder . Walking in the woods, I guess I experience mini - bouts of hubris, and slip or fall occasionally where if i had been less cavalier i wouldn't have. Most of these are mini- mishaps of low consequence (a mild tumble in the dirt) , but the point is that hubris always resides within.

I'd thought of staging an autumn Lake George camping trip too, (Gary and I had discussed this a bit) and I don't want to compete with your Squam Lake trip.The best time for Lake George is the weekend after Columbus Day. (16th-18th) but any of the weekends i October would work well. Is the weekend of Oct 2- 4 on the table for Squam as well? All that said, any of the dates you mentioned would be fine ; Some folks may have Columbus Day weekend commitments (paddling and otherwise) but surely there will be enough paddlers for that weekend too .

Congratulations! Very cool setting in which to earn a 3* .

Regardless of the opinions about whether red light is useful, I believe intensity of light is quite important. Always use the lowest intensity that enables a person to see what they need to see. Using a bright light is going to wreck havoc on you night vision and it can take nearly an hour to recover. Ed Lawson I agree: a very dim white light is all one needs to look at a chart: low enough intensity oughtn't mess with your night vision if left on for the short time it takes to consult the chart , and brighter is not a good thing. The light can reflect off the glossy laminated surface of carts or chart cases, and make the chart hard to read. Lights seem to be getting brighter: I think maybe the new LED technology makes it easier to make a smaller brighter light, finding a small, handy and low intensity waterproof light is not so easy.

A high brace as I understand it, is a recovery stroke, so its hard to see it as a useful stroke when entering current or crossing eddy lines: as others have said, the forward stoke with some corrective strokes mixed in would be the most effective. Regarding high bracing in general , theres always the risk to shoulder joints if one does not have perfect or near perfect form, (elbows tucked close to body etc) so there's an inherent risk to practising or using the high brace. I can see the aversion to the high brace in coaching curriculums that others have mentioned , as the consequences of a poor executed high brace are greater than other strokes. It's also hard to practice. Most strokes -( forward, bow rudder hanging draw etc ), are easily practiced in calm water (lake sessions, etc) but with the high brace on flat water, boat needs to fall down to water's edge for the paddle to meet the water with shoulders in the right position , increasing the stress on joints. In real situations- a wave overhead, . or a boat on edge in bumpy seas , etc. the water you plant the paddle in is often already at shoulder height.

I used an Exped down pad on a trip to the northern peninsula of Newfoundland last May/June, which, because of the latitude and time of year, was essentially a winter kayak camping trip.The down Exped pad, when inflated , most definitely did the job, (I slept well at night in harsh conditions) but that years model had an atrocious inflation system which required way too much time and effort, , so i resorted to blowing it up by mouth , a "no-no" with down pads as it introduces moisture into the interior of the pad . But it just took too long and I was finding that inflating and deflating the pad was taking up a huge chunk of my allotted get- ready/ break camp /set up camp time . I returned the exped pad: fortunately I had got it at REI which has a no -questions- asked rerun policy for the first year. Most definitely, a well perfornhg sleeping pad is essential. I had a malfunction on a summer trip resulting in a deflated air mattress and sleeping on the ground for 1 1/2 nights, and that was uncomfortable. That was in the summer: in the winter that could have way bigger consequences.

I've read charts at night by glow- stick with no problem, but others may not like it. It;s a good idea to also keep a tiny waterproof/dive light tethered to the pfd, to turn on and off for sort times when needed; looking at a chart in more detail , fussing with gear, etc.

a glow stick tethered to a short line on the pfd works well. when needed you can deploy it it to read your chart, then to tuck in or hang wherever on your person in the mean time.

Congratulations! A lot of hard work and training. "Train hard: assess easy" (yes ?)

Aye Tides on my iPhone and IPad works for me. Excellent resource for tides and currents all over the US.

Four of us met at Frisbee Wharf in Kittery a little after 6PM for a Saturday night moonlight paddle: after a trip posting, we four had confirmed by PM that we were all game for a paddle around Gerrish Island, if conditions would allow. So we set off from the mud at the bottom of the concrete ramp a bit after 7PM, filtered out of Pepperrell Cove, heading towards Fort Foster. As we rounded the long jetty at Fort Foster, the moon appeared in the east, a yellow smudge close to the horizon. We had been prepared to stop to put on more layers of clothing if needed once on the exposed side of Gerrish Island , but the air was warm, still and sultry, there was no wind, so our summer paddling clothing such as it was turned out to be comfortable for the duration of our trip. We paddled along as the moon began to rise out of the haze, now more a white disc than a yellow smudge. The night was a bit hazy, so the moon disappeared and then re -emerged from clouds and haze now and again throughout the evening. Cathy had not paddled at night before, and reported that she was a bit nervous, and not fond of breaking waves , particularly of the variety that break on her head , so some talk therapy was needed to convince her of the disparity between how she was paddling (perfectly fine) and how she thought she was paddling . There are a number of ledges off of Fort Foster and along Gerrish Island that are exposed or barely submerged at the lower half of the tide cycle, and required a bit of consult and strategizing to get through ; there was a gentle swell from the south that materialized into small breaking waves here and there. Mike was goosed by one of them , eliciting a mild yelp and brace of some kind in the darkness , but soon enough we were free of the ledges and ambling along Gerrish towards the entrance to Brave Boat Harbor. We arrived at Brave Boat a bit before 9 PM, ahead of schedule , as the salt marsh channel to Chauncey Creek is only navigable for an hour or an hour and a half on each side of high tide, which was 2 1/2 hours away. So we stopped in Brave Boat Harbor to klll time , lounge and refuel on Cathy's praline butterscotch cookies. At @ 10PM we set off again, paddled through the old trolley pier, found the channel at the head of the harbor , and threaded our way up the meandering creek through the salt marsh to the culvert, which was still flooding but with a mild enough current to paddle against , so one by one by one we powered through the culvert , paddles scraping or tapping on the concete roof overhead. Mike paused after his run right at the mouth of the culvert, and began to be sucked back into the culvert so, this time with a cheering section, he completed his charge out of the culvert into Chauncey Creek. We regrouped and headed home down Chauncey Creek against the very last of the flood current and filterered back into Pepperrell Cove and Frisbee Wharf at about 11:30. Cathy finished off the paddle with an unintentional but refreshing dump and squeal of joy right at the steep concrete ramp. This was a most enjoyable way to spend a Saturday night with a most agreeable set of paddling buddies. . Hopefully September might still be seasonable enough for a reanactment.

Jonathan, If you look through several pages from the "Trip Reports" forum and also the "Trips/NSPN Events" forum on this message board, , you'll quickly get a feel for trips and local put-ins that work for kayakers in this area. . Names like Pavillion Beach/Ipswich, Lanes Cove/ Lockport, Tucks Point in Manchester, Odiorne in Rye NH (Portsmouth are) will pop up, in addition to put ins a bit farther away.

I'll be looking to paddle by full moon, either tonight, or Saturday(Saturday is full moon, the day before more or less as good) or both . Tonight I'd like to paddle in Boston Harbor or possibly the north shore on the way towards home after leaving work. Saturday I think preferred put ins would be either Pavilion Beach/Ipswich or Portsmouth area: Odiorne or Goat Island on the Piscataqua. If you are interested post here or PM or text/ call me (617-877-5824) Sorry for late notice: I was too busy this week at work and home to know in advance when I'd be free to paddle. Peter

Sherry Smith and I have arranged for Nate Hanson and Pinniped Kayaks to be available for professional training at Sullivan Reversing Falls near Ellsworth and Bar Harbor. ME , on Thursday Sept 10th. This is the day before the NSPN Downeast Retreat at Bar Harbor, and is an opportunity to paddle in this great moving water spot with professional instruction. $140 per person: if 6 NSPN ers sign up (we have three definite so far) it will be $125/ person . Sullivan Falls is a constriction in the Sullivan River north of Frenchmans Bay, an area about the size of a football field; active on both the incoming and outgoing tides (ie all day). Because of its small area and safety (the water smooths out just beyond the falls, and practically no boat traffic, and there is a launch ramp and picnic area right there) it is an awesome place to practice and have fun in moving water. Piinniped Kayak Co. is based in Ellsworth, only fifteen minutes away, and Nate is a master at teaching at this venue for both experienced paddlers and those new to moving water . Sherry and I have both been in classes here where Nate has taken paddlers who had never paddled in moving water before, all of whom came away with added confidence and skill. From Nate: ”I can work with as few as 2 people, though more is nice. Above 4 people I bring another instructor for classes at Sullivan (Mark Schoon or Michael Daugherty or Chris Audet). Current on the 10th will flooding until 11:30, with a good area for introducing eddy turns, and good surfing for more advanced paddlers right off the near-side eddy. Then we'll have a moderately big ebb developing through the afternoon. There are lots of micro environments for working on fundamentals, as well as some moderate and very challenging venues to challenge advanced tidal current paddlers. if we have at least 5 students I will bring a second instructor, and that will really allow us to offer various levels of instruction. As people register, I ask that they send me a deposit for $70. (Checks payable to Pinniped Kayak, 61 Toashuh Way, Ellsworth, ME 04605) If they like they can also fill out pre trip forms and include those in the envelope. “ If you wish to sign up, communicate directly with Nate Hanson. nathanielrhanson@gmail.com pinnipedkayak@gmail.com If you have any additional questions you can contact Sherry or me by PM (PeterB and SSmith on the message board.

7 is a catchy number to use for these kinds of things: Seven Deadly Rolling Sins looks and sounds much better than Four Deadly Rolling Sins.

Ten of us had a great four-day Downeast kayak gathering, our activities based from the Maine Coast Heritage Trust cabin on Saddleback Island in the Stonington archipelago. Over the preceding weeks, a group of ten came together, and after sharing emails covering various travel, food, money and paddling details , we fixed on a plan of nine of us paddling to Saddleback from Old Quarry Ocean Adventures near Stonington , and one paddling from Naskeag to the north, some of us crashing in the cottage, some tenting on the cabin grounds. So, on Friday afternoon nine of us converged on Old Quarry Ocean Adventures Campground , a kayak-friendly campus that has been a great resource the kayak community for a long time. We checked in and filed a float plan at the office, loaded our boats down on the sloped granite plaza that forms Old Quarry’s kayak launch ramp, stowed our cars in the campground parking area , and around 3 PM , we set off from Webb Cove for our 2.5 mile paddle to Saddleback Island, which lies on the eastern fringes of the Stonington archipelago . There were threatening purple clouds to the north and west, so we took a route that would keep us close to islands (an easy thing to do in this maze of islands) , as we may have needed to get off the water in a hurry. Our little trip served as an preview for the weekend ahead, as we paddled between numerous islands, with glimpses off towards Mount Desert Island to the east and Isle au Haut to the south. Despite the purple menace to our north, we arrived at Saddleback without incident , other than a runaway Pintail. Jonathan’s boat was loaded with a dromedary of water in the front hatch , and the rope skeg wouldn’t deploy ; This , combined with it being a Pintail, made the boat go completely daffy in the wind (Pintail owners will understand) and for a while needing a tow for directional control. As we approached Saddleback Island , we saw Gary, who had arrived the night before , beckoning us from shore with a waving flag. We funneled towards our human beacon , and unloaded for several days of island living, some of us flopping on bunkbeds in the cottage and others setting up tents on the cottage grounds. Soon enough we were all lounging about in cottage comfort, dining on Janice’s rice and chickpea curry and Gary’s home made many- bean salad. With a group of ten paddlers of varying aspirations, we made plans to paddle in two groups the next day: a Farther–And-Faster group of three, and a Not-So-Far-And-Not–So-Fast group of seven . The Farther-Fasters fixed on an Isle au Haut circumnav. And the Not-So-Fars on a tour of Marshall Island to the southeast. The Isle au Haut circumnav. required an early start , so Farther-Fasters Paul ,Gary and Dave set off at 8 am on Saturday morning . Their trip went without a hitch, paddling with the ebb down Isle au Haut’s eastern side , rounding the southeastern corner and traveling up the eastern side, catching a bit of the flood, in the lee of the afternoon’s east winds, crossing Merchants row and returning to Saddleback via McGlathery Island. We Not-So-Fars set off at 9AM, passed aptly named Enchanted island, turned the corner and promptly set off on a 2.5 NM crossing of lower Jericho Bay to Marshall Island . After a plodding journey across the ebb and with a front quarter 5kt. wind much of the way, we landed on Marshall's northern end for elevensies and a quick look-see, then made our way around Long Point , down Marshall’s eastern shore, around to the idyllic beach in Sandy Cove on the southern end of the island, where we landed for our official lunch and, of course, a nap. We set off again off at 2PM. The day so far had been a bit gloomy and raw, but once we rounded Lower Head for our journey home, the reflecting seas against the eastern shore were behind us, the day turned sunny , and with a fair wind and tide, our return trip to Saddleback had a buoyant mood. We paddled right across lower Jericho Bay, 1 mile to Saddleback Ledge, another mile to Southern Mark Island , then turning north for the final mile back to Saddleback. The next day we kept the same groups and did the nickel tour of the Stonington islands. We launched under cloudy skies which threatened rain but never quite delivered, paddled between McGlathery and Pound Islands , then crossed Mechants row to inspect Harbor Island. Crossing Merchant Row back to the islands, we chatted up Paul ,Gary and Dave by vhf , and met up with them at Green Island and toured the quarry there,. Janice and Carolyn had to depart, so three of of us paddled back to Old Quarry with them, while the other five toured Stonington and Hells Half Acre on their way back to Saddleback . At Old Quarry , we SWAT -teamed Janice and Carolyn's boats and gear onto their cars and said our goodbyes, Yong and I made a quick dash into town for some essential provisions (summer ale and Glenlivet) and we returned to Saddleback in the fog, meeting up with Gary, Dave and Mike by Burnt Island and we six returned to Saddleback for Jane's long -awaited chili and Pauls grilled pizza quesadillas. ​ On Monday morning we roused, cleaned up the cottage loaded our boats and set off in the fog for Old Quarry and the trip home. We parted ways with Gary who headed north to Naskeag. Gary’s was a longer trip, 5,5 nm made longer by point to point nav. in the fog (we later confirmed by text that Gary that arrived after a “slog in the fog”,) The rest of us nav’d our way back to.Old Quarry via Millet, Devil and Burnt islands, arrived at our granite take- out around noon, loaded up, some showered at Old Quarry, and we dispersed for home. Thanks all for a great weekend. Everyone enjoyed the teamwork and comaraderie, it was great to share food, planning, navigaton, and paddling with each other . It was a unique experience to paddle and share camp comfort amidst this world class kayak destination I’m already thinking about next year.

The Downeast paddle retreat has dropped down on the trips forum, so I'm bumping it up. Folks have been signing up by contacting me directly , so there's not been any banter on this post. Downeast retreat is on; it looks like a good number of us will be staying at the LLangolan Inn, near Hadley Point, and Llangolan will be the informal-semi-formal base of operations, like last year : its likely that the hosts will have a meeting area set up for us. There are also nearby accommodations at Hadley Point campground (next door) , and other campgrounds and motels . Please PM me ( PeterB on the message board) with questions, interest. Or email at pbrady at neaq.org

to play Devils advocate: if the Pawlata roll is reliable enough to be everybody's back up or last resort roll; why not use the Pawlata from the get go?

Downeast Paddle Retreat; Mount Desert Island September 11-14 Rob Hazard & I are planning an NSPN kayak gathering on Mount Desert Island on the weekend after Labor Day, the days of Sept. 11-14 Mount Desert Island in early/mid September is a splendid kayaking & vacation spot ,with a wide range of great paddling opportunities. Last year this event was a success , with about 22 participants. We paddled all over the island. Rob and I have paddled in the area and are knowledgeable about it, and we are prepared for a paddling schedule of two trips a day, based on group size, skill level and interest. Some of the most popular paddling venues iclude the Porcupine islands off of Bar Harbor and the Cranberry Islands on the south end of the Island There are also options for more adventurous paddles, out to Egg Rock in the middle of Frenchmans Bay , and down the rugged and scenic coast of Mt desert Island There are also options for inland paddling, on Long Pond and Eagle Lake Accommodations are on your own. Our base of operations will be at LLangolan Inn , near Hadley Point, between the bridge to the island and downtown Bar Harbor, Next to the Llangolan is te Hadley Poitn Campground for those who prefer camping. Options for accommodations range from cottages near Hadley Point, the Hadley Point campground or other campgrounds and accomodations around the island. Please PM PeterB with questions, interest. Or email at pbrady at neaq.org We'll develop an information sheet with details on the event and the area, to share with RSVPs as plans develop .

Saddleback Island Paddling Retreat July 24-27 NSPNers are welcome to this paddling retreat on Sadleback Island in the Stonington archipelago. The Stonington area is one of the top paddling destinations in all of Maine. This area is very scenic with its numerous islands, and offers an endless menu of paddling options, from short, putter–around trips between islands to more adventurous journeys to nearby islands such as Marshall and Isle au Haut. This retreat is suitable for L2 and above paddlers. This trip will be anchored on Saddleback Island which is reserved for the three nights of July 24, 25 and 26. The cabin sleeps 8 persons. There is also a campsite nearby on Saddleback island which comfortably accommodates 3 tents, perhaps more, and is available on a first-come first served basis. The cabin is $175 /night, so there would be a minimum cost of $22/person ($66/three nights) and a maximum cost of $35 per person per night depending on how many end up staying there. The cabin is likely to be full. There are also options to camp on your own on neighboring MTA Islands and be part of the retreat. Getting there and back: Saddleback island is a protected 2.5 mile paddle from Old Quarry Adventures, so this makes the trip open to L2 paddlers. There is a parking fee at Old Quarry . There is also an approach from Naskeag point of about 5.5 miles, semi exposed, so this would be an L3 paddle . Groups paddling to the island will need to be coordinated in advance, as an L2 group will need to have some experienced paddlers along. There can be lots of fog at this time of year. Grander options would include a tour of Isle au Haut or trips out to Marshall and Swan Islands. These trips could be up to L4, and would depend on weather, fog and conditions. If you are interested, please PM me (PeterB) on the message board., we’ll get a participant list going. Or email me at pbrady at neaq.org. Group Limit is 8 in the cabin and 3-6 in the campsite. So maximum group is about 14. Best way to sign up is to commit with $35/night deposit. And you will be refunded based on numbers of participants .

Sorry for delayed posting, folks. Yes this trip will be just like last year, and is on for Sept. 11-14, I will post tomorrow. Peter