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Great link Rene. It was fun taking this trip vicariously, in segments-don't think I have the mental fortitude to deal with the nasty weather these buddies encountered. Most trips after thru-hiking the AT would probably pale, but this had its own set of challenges, especially the desolation they must have felt for much of the trip. Nice couple of young men too, personality-wise. Gary

Jason, did I miss the trip report?

If I click the dark blue box with my name enclosed, a drop-down menu includes an entry for "sign out"

Bold Coast Trail and Cutler Preserve. The following is excerpted from a 2008 USA Today article: "Backpackers can stay at three primitive campsites at Fairy Head at the southern end of the Coastal Trail. The sites, each of which accommodates two one-person tents or one larger tent, are available on a first-come, first-served basis; hikers looking to camp overnight are advised to arrive early, especially on summer weekends. No fires are permitted and there is no water at the campsites, so those who stay must carry in their own water and rely on camp stoves."

Rob, I WANT to but can't commit just yet. If I end up coming I will be camping overnight Sat. Anybody else? Gary

Always beneficial to review this clip from time to time. Thanks for the reminder Phil.

My size 12 feet don't leave much room near the bulkhead of "School Bus". Alas, I must paddle without boots, but have been using neoprene sock-like apparel over my booted drysuit. The neoprene socks are showing signs of wear at the heel, despite the patch of carpet padding between socks and hull. Does anyone (Dr. Scholl?) have ideas or product in mind that would protect my heels from abrasion? I sure don't want to wear a hole in my drysuit boot. My DIY alternative is a corner of a plastic gallon milk container, secured by rubber band. Gary

Spider, aside from the above, are you aware of any established hiking trails at Moosehead, other than the NW and NE portages? Gary

I've got my eye on an expedition next fall. Anyone have information/experience on kayak camping at Upper/Lower Richardson Lakes? How might the experience compare/contrast to Moosehead? Gary

I'd love to join you for the day only, if you'll have me, and I can get away. Estimated water temp ~60F. Gary

Leon, seems you may have added a bit of comfort/confidence to the rescuer and rescuee. In those conditions this no-star paddler would have welcomed the (?perception of) increased stability. This outing emphasizes the importance of "beach" briefings ocurring prior to EVERY launch. Gary

Might wish you had the fleece bag or at least liner-sposed to be in the 40's in my neck of the woods (Boondocks). Fleece gloves and hat will help keep the chill away. $0.02

[Assume paddler is equipped with requisite saftey gear, including GPS, waterproof or sealed.] First and foremost, be prepared to NOT paddle. Expect that the weather will not cooperate. Bring books, soduku, journals, geocache, etc. while waiting out Mother Nature. Consider paddling at dawn's crack or evening, when seas tend to be calmer. (I spent the better part of a 15-knot day at a leeward shell beach before embarking at 6pm on a gentle, 2-mile crossing to my intended campsite). Keep an ear on the VHF (Two of us (sorta solo) jointly decided to open-ocean paddle through 4 miles of fog, a day early, rather than face forecasted 20 knot winds the next day). Take time to explore terra firma. The favorite part of my journeys is island exploration, via trails or shore-combing. (Noted "finds" include paddle poagy, tilley hat, 50' of rope. Buoys/traps are verboten, the assumption/law being fisherman will retrieve their displaced merchandise :-)) Be expert with chart, compass, and GPS. Practice determining GPS waypoints on nautical charts using rulers and dividers. Pre-load known waypoints into your GPS, to include: island centers, tips of peninsulas, and aids to navigation. Pen these same waypoints and parallel magnetic N lines to your photocopied chart before laminating. Bring a detailed NOAA chart copy. A copy of Delorme gazeteer works, with much editing, but might put you "at sea" when you can't locate that tiny islet you are approaching in the fog. Know your paddling cadence under varying conditions for purposes of dead reckoning. Enjoy the company of a campfire, where allowed, below the HT mark or in established pit. Maine permits are easily obtained over the phone. Indicate a wide range of days to allow for contingencies, and china or permanent mark your hull with permit # (next to hi and lo tides for the days you are tripping). Keep your agenda flexible and conservative. Follow the mantra of adventurers: That mountain peak/island/bay will still be there tomorrow. Your thoughts? Gary

Warren, Kate has provided a link to her other trips, some of which are solos, at the end of her current report. I view these repeatedly, especially in the dead of winter! Kate superbly captures in words and pix the essence of sea kayaking. Gary

My McCat deluxe tarp from OES is 13 oz. Add a parachute-style hammock (20 oz), summer-weight bag (40 deg.), and an underquilt or insulated pad and you're trippin' at around 6 lbs. Gary

My boat weighs 60 lbs. 114/2=57. Total weight 117~120 lbs. Sounds like Spider was spot on! Thanks Ed.

Good answer. I dare say the "School Bus" with expedition gear comes close to your estimate, though I have never weighed her under such circumstances. Anybody with real data? Please chime in with specifics. Gary

Seems you're still left not knowing if one or both compasses are out of synch. I would calibrate with a higher end, mirrored, hand-held compass for best accuracy, if you can find one. If you find that you're off by 5 degrees or less, I probably wouldn't tinker, and remember the deviation in your head. I'd recommend an adjustment for the bigger difference of 10 degrees, though, as a 10 degree error over a (seemingly interminable, like bushwacking) mile in Maine's pea soup may well leave you 1056 feet from your intended destination. Likely not a problem if you've fixed your "sights" for the center of an average-sized island, but if you're hoping to bump into can #9......... Gary

And hopefully add (subtract?) your MITA discount (10%)!

Chris, is this different from sawdust?

Thanks for the advice from all. I'll enlarge the hole, clean, apply some acetone, wait, use an electric hairdryer, and marine epoxy the defect in the dry-docked, freshwater-only boat.

OT, sorta, but I've developed a visible (from the inside only) 1/8 inch diameter leak in the cuddy cabin of my daysailer, that communicates with the centerboard housing. I'm thinking of forcing a glob of marine epoxy or ?3M52_ into the hole via syringe. Who has a better solution? Gary (not a glassman)

Good advice, and please remind others, before getting in boats. Two other items I try to remember at launch time: -last-second check that hatches are tightly sealed, especially when on safari, or rough waters ahead -radio check for all pod members

If there is someone posted at the kiosk, the fee was $5 when I paddled there last, a few years ago.

Even the peanut butter (non-staged photo) had a good time!