John Martinsen

Put rain gear (if it's not already raining) in tent\vestibule every night, regardless of how nice it seems or what the forecast says.

The good old abc's work well for teaching packing: accessibility, balance, compression; can add on as needed, like F. I'm really careful with my white gas bottles, don't want a leak that will spoil food, and m for metal near the compass. More small items are always easier to pack than larger bulky items. Tie lines onto things that get stuffed in the bow or stern, take out a few larger items closer to the hatch, pull on the line and the small items slide right where they're easy to grab. I once had a croc caught in the bow of a boat for three days, the pump t-handle makes a great device for retrieving such items. Always know what your tide is doing, and try and figure out the high tide line as soon as you get to camp. Layers work best around camp, keep a dry layer handy for when you land and are damp from paddling. Put it on next to your skin and put damp clothes back on over it, as you work setting up camp you slowly dry out your clothes. A puffy jacket also helps with this. Always have a hat handy.

NOLS does a pretty amazing job with their programs, I was lucky to work for them for a few years, and Alaska was always an amazing experience. That being said, I never went thirsty in Alaska, always lots of water everywhere. We usually camped next to a small stream, sometimes had to walk further upstream to get away from the salt, but could always find fresh water. Doing so you'd have to keep an eye out for black bears, as this is when you could sometimes spook them. I'd recommend making a lot of noise and having bear spray with you just in case. They would often be hanging out next to the streams catching salmon. Never had any issues with the bears (had one right outside my tent one night so close I could smell her and hear her cub snuffling) but we were a larger group, so they would usually split when we showed up. Every evening we would grab enough water to cook with, fill up bottles\hydration systems, and bring about a gallon or so to get started cooking when we hit camp the next day, so we could begin cooking while someone else would go fill up. The students never knew how we would be halfway through dinner while they were still getting enough water to cook with. Rainwater off the tarp was always a treat. A few of the instructors I worked with wouldn't even bother treating the water we got out of some of the better looking streams. A set of topo maps can help finding a water source, and give good detail of campsites. We had access to campsite beta for the entire sound (NOLS has been paddling up there since the 70's) but often we'd just camp wherever made sense to stop and looked good, lots of options. Some places we would camp and have to walk or paddle to find a water source, but that was a fairly rare occurrence. I'd highly recommend checking out a glacier, if you haven't put that on your agenda yet, pretty impressive and worthwhile. Good luck and have fun, great place to paddle.

I spent two summers paddling in Prince William Sound. When I worked for NOLS in 2007, we paddled out of Whittier three times, never out of Valdez. Coolest trip was all the way down to the southwest corner of Montague Island, stuck our noses out into the open ocean, then turned around and headed back. The sound is huge, the scale of it is nothing like the east coast, especially the glaciers. But it's fairly flat and protected water, unless some weather comes in, then it can get choppy. The camping is pretty good with big beautiful beaches, the weather is usually good in July, although if a low moves in expect a lot of rain. Let me know if you have any specific questions. John M

Try zig zagging?

I've had pretty good luck with Otter cases, have seen a few of the smaller Pelican cases fail. Not sure how long I'd trust one of those heavy duty Lok sacs, but for short term use they look pretty good.

Paddling downhill it might have been. There is sometimes a sweet spot hugging cliffs and riding the bounce that's coming off them, some type of micro eddy that can help propel you forwards. And to me it is more interesting than chugging ahead in a straight line from point to point.

Your guide was paddling there to keep himself/herself amused.

Just re-certed my wfr through WMA, and the instructor, a physicians assistant who works at a clinic near a big ski resort out west, is an offshore sailor, and a member of a search and rescue team, had a pretty sweet assortment of stuff for his "small" first aid kit. If anyone is interested in geeking out here it goes: Kelly clamp: http://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Kelly-Curved-Forceps-Hemostat/dp/B00062N42S/ref=pd_sim_hi_1 Face Shield: http://www.amazon.com/NuMask-CPR-Mask/dp/B0062Q4R6E/ref=sr_1_52?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1370460988&sr=1-52&keywords=cpr+face+shield Scissors: http://www.amazon.com/Amercian-Diagnostic-Corporation-300-Stainless/dp/B000FBT3V6/ref=sr_1_11?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1370461035&sr=1-11&keywords=first+aid+scissors Lidocaine gel: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Jel-Technologies-Squeeze-Bottle-Topical/dp/B005H1OQZ2/ref=sr_1_13?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1370461132&sr=1-13&keywords=water+gel+burn+dressing Vet Wrap: http://www.amazon.com/Vetrap-3M-Bandaging-Tape-Green/dp/B00CL2S63S/ref=sr_1_7?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1370461304&sr=1-7&keywords=3m+vet+wrap Lots of sterile gauze. Gloves. Provoiodine solution Large CC Syringe: http://www.amazon.com/Dynarex-Piston-Irrigation-Syringe-60/dp/B001B5NE38/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1370461466&sr=1-4&keywords=large+cc+syringe Soft tooth brush Clean t-shirt in a ziploc bag Tegaderm dressings in assorted sizes: http://www.amazon.com/3M-Tegaderm-Transparent-Dressing-1624W/dp/B0009Q2OMW/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1370461713&sr=1-1&keywords=tegaderm+transparent+dressing Zeroform dressings: http://www.amazon.com/Xeroform-Petrolatum-Dressings-Sterile-Packages/dp/B005KMPFW6/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1370461793&sr=1-3&keywords=zeroform Triangular bandage: http://www.amazon.com/TRIANGULAR-BANDAGE-DYN-Size-12/dp/B0006GE73Y/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_2 Sam splint: http://www.amazon.com/TRIANGULAR-BANDAGE-DYN-Size-12/dp/B0006GE73Y/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_2 All in addition to the typical ibuprofen, tylenol, aspirin, band aids, triple anti-biotic ointment, and whatever other things are important and I might have left out.

Those Outdoor Equipment Supplier Tarps look pretty nice, especially for the price, and they're made in the US which is nice. Hard to tell how they stack up size wise compared to the MSR Zing as they don't specify floor area. The Hillebergs looks like sweet tarps and a better price than the MSR, but no poles included. http://www.hilleberg.com/home/products/tarp/tarp.php Jason, Phil was about right with the Zing itself packing down to about the size of a large loaf of bread, but as shipped from MSR is wrapped around the poles (which are included) so it is long and skinny. I separate the poles and tarp when packing it in the boat. It is a pretty sweet setup. I figured so long as I was bringing a tarp along it should have tons of room under it for sitting out bad weather, being able to give people space to get out of the weather, and get everyone's gear out of the weather. I've spent close to three years living under one of these in places from Mexico, Alaska, and Patagonia, so I figure I know my way around a tarp and their various configurations and setups. So when I was shopping for a tarp I figured I'd go big and get the Zing. I also spent four months living in a MSR Hubba Hubba, so I know MSR's build quality is superb, and their warranty is one of the best in the industry. I also got a good deal via msr's pro deal from having worked in the "industry." You could always use a nest under whatever tarp you get and not bring a tent along, lightening your setup and saving some space. Lots of cool gear out there, and it seems tents and tarps are becoming harder to distinguish. http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=102 Lots of tarp\nest combo for the lightweight and space of a tarp with the insect protection of a tent.

A bomb proof campsite? When the unexpected nasty rolls through at 3:17 am your stuff's not flying everywhere and your tent stays put...

Kokatat gore-tex front entry with relief and socks, one medium and one xl, $456.98!!! NRS farmer Jane and John, $49.98!! Women's size: m, l, xl, and xxl. Men: m and l.

One from Norway...

Not a recipe but a great piece of gear I've found essential for backcountry culinary delight: https://www.frybake.com/ I have the larger one and it's fabulous. Morning's I'll make biscuits using bisquick and a few other ingredients, nuts, dried fruit, oatmeal and grapenuts go into the mix for some long burning goodness. The trick is to make the batter thick so you can cook three or fourat a time. Great to make a larger batch and eat them throughout the day, great for peanut butter. A Thai stir fry with rice is easy and tasty for dinner. Cook the rice set aside. Stir fry veggies of choice and add a jar of Thai green curry and a can of coconut milk. Simple and easy to make with lots of flavor.

I traveled to Alaska, Mexico, and Chile with my paddles carefully wrapped in a regular duffel bag, never had a problem. Both a 4 piece Lendal and a 2 piece Werner were fine, I used clothing and maybe a foam pad or two to wrap them up, and positioned carefully amongst my other stuff. John M

Anyone notice it looks like he came up with only half a paddle?

How about a trip to Ragged/Criehaven Island, where there is supposedly camping, then out to Matinicus Rock Light? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matinicus_Rock_Light Would be interesting to visit all 11 of the historic Maine lighthouses.

Can't speak to water sources in Maine, but can address cooking with salt water. Not worth it IMO. Messes up the flavor of your food, makes it super salty obviously, so unless you've run out of salt and just want the taste, I'd avoid it. Even cooking with half salt, half fresh, still too salty for me. If you're really concerned about not wasting fresh water, then water used for cooking lets say pasta, can be set aside in a thermos and used to make something like hot cocoa, or a powdered milk with brown sugar and cinnamon/nutmeg hot drink. Better to just ration about 1 gallon per person per day of water (that's on the high end, some people don't drink that much water, you probably know how much water you need better than anyone else) than trying to eat food that is unpalatable. Water is heavy to pack, sucks to run out of, but gets used very quickly, so packing just gets easier and easier. Have spent a lot of time sea kayaking in the Baja, where we carried 7 days worth of water (7x8=56lbs!) the boats would sit heavy for a day or two, but it gets used so quickly its not a big deal. Really made no changes to our cooking routine, other than not wasting a drop of water, and making sure to get a good nap in the shade after quesadillas in the afternoon. Dishes can get washed in the salt water, sand makes a great scouring agent, not great on grease though. The MSR 10 liter dromedary, best thing going for back country water containers... Rain water gathered off a tarp is a most refreshing drink. A little piece of p-cord hung from the lower edge of your tarp will channel water directly into your water bottle or pot. Enjoy, sounds like a great trip...

Can't reply to private messages??

I find the chaffing subsides after an outing or two, although sometimes body glide will help as well...

My favorite, "I'd rather be on land, wishing I was out on the water, than out on the water, wishing I was on land..." Or... If you want to go super conservative, you can use the "If its cappin, I'm nappin..." mantra... "Set yourself up for success..."

You can buy the quart size canisters of white gas, and crush them when you're done with them. Have done this with the large sized containers on extended group trips, should work just as well with the smaller sized containers. Crush empty containers flat with a boot, rock, whatever. Stuff them into the bow or stern with some other trash, and forget about them until you get somewhere you can dispose of things in a responsible manner. John M

Good to meet both of you. Had a great time surfing and checking out a little of what the North Shore has to offer. Looking forward to getting out some more. John M

QUOTE (Kevin B @ May 18 2010, 08:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Anyone interested in grabbing some surf in Nahant on Wed.? Plan on late afternoon, say 4/5pm. I'm interested. Haven't surfed Nahant before, but always wanted to check it out. I can make it there closer to 4. Looks like a good surf forecast... John M

For non-weekend/day trip applications... Having worked many month long self supported sea kayak expeditions, often in places with inclement weather, this is the clothing kit that works for me for most coastal conditions down to the mid to low 40's. Not having a washer/dryer with you means you have to actively work to keep clothing dry, otherwise you end up with a lot of wet dirty stinky clothing, often hiding in corners of your kayak. If you bring 5 long sleeve shirts, chances are eventually you're going to wear all of them, get them wet, and then you'll have a pile of soggy clothing with no hopes of getting dry. So I only bring a few, as few as I can get away with, and I wear them to dry them out. Granted if the weather is nice and sunny you can put things out to dry, but if you get a lot of rain (it once rained 25 of the 28 days I was out) you can't count on the weather to dry your clothing. I also find the less stuff I bring with me the more I enjoy my trips, because I'm not distracted by lots of crap, trying to pack lots of extra stuff, or trying find some missing piece of trivia. Some Gold Bond powder keeps down the smell, but if you're out that long you're going to smell, no way around it. A small bottle of camp suds and you can wash stuff every once in awhile, but it ends up not being that often realistically, at least not for me. I split up my clothing into different places, but try to keep my main clothing bag limited to a 20 liter dry bag. Sometimes there is a little spill over into another small dry bag. A few items like a hat and the extra long sleeve layer ride in my dry lap bag. I don't water proof my rain gear, so it doesn't take up any room in my dry bag, and get my other stuff wet. But here are my bare minimum for insulation and clothing... -2 pair heavy wool socks, one stashed in the sleeping bag or sleeping bag stuff sack. -2 pair wool or synthetic underwear, the extra pair stashed in the sleeping bag stuff sack. -1 lightweight wool or synthetic t-shirts. -2 mid weight wool or synthetic long sleeve shirts. -1 pair synthetic long johns. -1 synthetic "puff" jacket preferably with a hood, a very key item. -1 or two warm hats. -Wind pants or camp pants -Hooded wind jacket, great for bugs. -Rain jacket and pants, Optional stuff: -Fleece pants, stuffed in the sleeping bag, great if the weather is really cold and wet. -1 mid weight fleece or polartec top or vest, great extra layer to paddle in for cold days. -Fleece one piece With all these layers on, even wet or damp I can stay fairly warm, especially if I'm moving around. To dry out clothing, I get out of the rain (a tarp is essential) put on a dry long sleeve base layer under the wet layers, then put on the puff jacket and wind breaker over all of that. This is usually enough to dry things out fairly quickly. If layers are still damp when I go to bed, I take them into the sleeping bag with me, and my body heat will dry them out over night. Or I just wear dampish layers to bed. If I really need some help getting stuff dry and myself warm, I bring a hot water bottle into the sleeping bag with me. Before I break camp in the morning, or maybe before I get in the boat, I take off my dry base layer, put it in a dry safe place, so I can repeat the process when I get to camp that afternoon. Has worked for me...