gyork

I see no harm (and henceforce will try to adopt, as some have) in NOT reporting islands visited in trip reports, public or private. I guess by doing so (?selfishly or altruistically), it might help reduce impact on an island. Those paddlers who have a serious interest kayaking in the region will likely identify from the MITA guide the island(s) I mention in a report. If not, I would share through PM names of islands I refer to, after verifying they are MITA members, of course

Sunapee still frozen with paraglider somethings dashing across the (presumably) still-thick ice (Sat).

Remember that the toppling-over forces acting against the fence are greater with increasing height; for overall ease of handling, consider positioning the final boat position as low as possible, keeping in mind average snow depth for your area,

And everyone else in camp!

Would build something simple that ties into your existing fence (by itself likely to fail) and incorporate nylon webbing X 2 for supprting kayak fore and aft, kayak on edge, cockpit facing you (not fence). Would not recommend putting pressure on delicate cockpit covers [as in upside-down storage]. Have had problems with my installed deck compass going kerfluey (wouldn't rotate to correct position after up-righting) after short-term upside-down storage. Comical spinning acrobatics to finally get it to behave.

I have an older entry-level Garmin e-trex. For 90-100 bucks you could get the newer, waterproof version; https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=87768 Why spend hundreds more for chart/map-enabled when you are paddling with a chart on deck and have learned how to use it? My $0.02

Have the Hubba (15.5 square ft floor) and Hubba Hubba (28.6 sq ft), both on sale, HH used. If I am car-camping, I will bring the HH, or its cousin, the 4-season Walrus (40 sq ft; interior like Rob's bivvy). The smaller Hubba accompanies me on safaris, especially where I have no knowledge of tent accomodations. No worries if I find myself with room to spread out, as my OES Deluxe tarp (11 oz, softball sized) is always packed to set up kitchen/living room/mudroom/whathaveyou. The Hubba is not advertised as a "big guy's" tent, but Jason and I are pleased with its pack size (my go-to shelter on backpack trips, or sometimes {non-bug season] fly and poles only for even more weight savings). Others (Peter, Spider) have been seen recumbent in same. Note: BBLean and EMS sell knock-offs at considerable savings-check them out. Be sure you are looking at the free-standing tents, whose benefits include tarp only set-up (with poles).

http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/

http://www.nspn.org/forum/topic/9095-keel-easy-experience/?hl=keeleazy#entry53466

Early reminder for those who need to secure the weekend for the best fun to be had, anywhere. Some may decide to linger into Memorial Day (Mon). See details on NSPN calendar. gary

-A fox trolling the shore at twilight, in front of my campsite at Chesuncook. -Mr. Moose posing for photo the next day. -A late-night, stormy, July 4 offer from complete strangers to share their extra berth aboard their moored vessel. -New friends, all, and for always, I hope, on these numerous outings.

Surely-but kudos to Warren and Pru for offering "New to Kayak Camping Trips". Haven't seen such offerings in my 7-year membership. I think wannabe campers, especially the more timid ones, are much more likely to partake in such venues than say, annual Jewell trip. Perhaps it fair to say "increased interest" in camping, based on reports of 2/3 trips already sold out!

I'd really like to try kayak camping, but I'm a bit intimidated by the price and myriad choices of camping gear. I have a sleeping bag, but don't want to spend a lot on camping gear, only to find out I don't like the experience. Would Miss Manners approve this gentle reader's request to borrow the required gear for my first trip?

It would behoove trip initiators to start filling up the NSPN calendar with tentative details of the trip(s). June thru Aug now empty, save for Cathy's Peaks trip.

As I crawled out of my cave this morning and re-read Jason's post, wondered how many of us are using "electronic" nav aids while in the cockpit? Except where I have picked up charts at a flea market, I always print and laminate on-line charts, usually 8X10. Beats folding the big charts and employing a chart case (which always seem to leak) for the old paper charts.

My candle lantern sits on the bottom shelf of my gear locker, right next to other items I'd pack for a car-camping scenario, where its employment lends a nice ambiance. Sure the School Bus can haul a classroom of students AND teacher, but it really is about trying to minimize gear for me when I am on safari. I'm guessing the combined weight of wool socks, fleece hat and gloves doesn't differ by more than a few oz. from my candle lantern, and among my collection of torches is a one inch LED "nano" light that throws off an incredible beam. Having said that I recall a recent fall (car-camping) trip huddled around the glowing warmth of a canister-style mini-lantern, as the wind and soaking rain tried to get the best of me! Bottom line for me: (paraffin)candle lantern=ambiance, but not heat or enuf light

The previous glitch I was experiencing has resolved itself, without explanation!

I like that the MITA site weaves together charts of the coast, enabling me to '"capture" and print an area that might not be as well represented on a NOAA chart. In the armchair by the woodstove, I can daydream away. In the cockpit, I will always use NOAA chart or chart that has been verified to NOAA chart.

If you use MITA's online charting, be aware that the LATITUDE coordinate that corresponds to movement of mouse arrow UNDERESTIMATES northerly position. This error is not constant along the coast. Correlate with NOAA charts, as necessary, when "dry" surfing. Longitude coordinates appear spot-on. MITA to be notified.

Don't forget ticks! Developed classsic Lyme rash following one of the annual trips to Jewell. Call the red tide hotline 800.232.4733

What are some of the naturally-occuring dangers to be aware of when camping (animals, insects, plants)? Is it okay to eat shellfish that I harvest near my campsite?

You've paddled far to this remote campsite at dusk, only to find it occupied. Now what?

I try to stick to my orinal agenda, which has played out many times in my head, hunched over charts and google Earth, but ALWAYS think of scenarios that allow contingency plans to be adopted. Not always possible on a "loop" paddle such as Moosehead trek. As days wear on, and you realize you may have bitten off more than you can chew, you may decide to stay "local" (e.g. day 4 agenda was a >25 mi up-and-back of the Damiriscotta R. from R__ Island, which was substituted for a <10 mi quiet, smooth ride to Reid for a day at the beach-all good). For me it's all about the exploration of new areas, and it usually evens out after days on the water-far/fast with limited views and local/slow with intimate immersion. g

1) An invitation for others to join in requires a heads-up of a few months, and many are not able to commit a vacation week due to family/work/etc commitments, esp. during the summer months. I keep a bucket list of areas I want to paddle, some of which I expect never to return to (there is only so much time, and so MANY areas to explore!), and determine, by chart-gazing/reading if I can be comfortable solo. Examples of areas I would NOT attempt a solo trip include Great Waas and beyond (Bold Coast). Some paddlers express a desire to do more extended trips, and I am happy to have them along. Other trips include >25 miles/day ave., and I would be careful choosing partners, or I would just relish the solitude. Bottom line-I like either venue, and guess that I split them 50:50. 2) Agree with Kate-related to capacity/number of campsites and parking issues. 3) Restrictions become self-evident as you face them, and an extra level of caution is extended, usually from your gut. Wind/waves/weather seems more ominous when you are solo. Conditions that you wouldn't blink at in a group paddle tend to heighten the senses. I always add one or 2 extra days for the trip to allow for forced down time re: "conditions", and would be OK traveling at night in a quiet sea-state, if I need to make up for lost time. I pay close attention to MITA "danger" areas and Coast Pilot warnings to strangers. Don't like the >2 mile crossings between solid land and avoid them when I can (e.g. would opt for northerly approach to Fox Islands via island hopping v. slog from Rockland, even though extra driving required). 4) Moosehead and beyond. Great Wass (on list) seems like somewhat of a wilderness to me, at least by my definition.