John Martinsen

I often go with a silk weight wool t-shirt, like icebreaker, with the Patagonia Capilene 4 fabric, nice combo of natural base layer with a really good synthetic layer above. I find wool more comfortable for hanging around in camp, and synthetics better at keeping me warm on the water while drying a little quicker. Great to pull into camp, put on a dry mid weight wool base layer, put back on the soggy synthetic layer, and put a fleece on top of it all, often with a windbreaker. Dries out the wet layers fairly quickly while leaving a dry feeling layer next to your skin. Stash the dry wool layer the next morning and repeat...

Phil, There is a WFA coming up in May, not sure if its full yet or not... http://www.nspn.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=6722 John M

Paradoxical undressing, sounds like my college days... http://www.coldwaterbootcamp.com/pages/preventionv2.html There is a cool chart on the link that describes the various stages of hypothermia. I think if you're getting to the point of wanting to get naked, you're pretty far along. Above 95 and you're just cold challenged, 95-90 is mild hypothermia but recoverable with some help. Below 90 and you're going to require outside medical assistance, and important to note that people below 90 need to be handled in a way as to not jostle them, or you can increase the chance of cardiac arrest. I was told in a WFR training medics/hospitals can hook you up to a machine intravenously, which gradually warms your blood and body temperature, reducing the chances of cardiac arrest as cold blood begins to re-circulate throughout your system. The ability to properly get someone into a hypo-wrap and having the materials on hand is a good skill to have if venturing out in cold conditions. Always good to paddle in a group, but even more so in cold conditions, a cold challenged/hypothermic person can require a lot of assistance.

Dr. Popsicle, a scientist, on hypothermia... http://www.nols.edu/alumni/leader/05spring...fmedicine.shtml "It’s another hour until our body temperature drops far enough to make us critically hypothermic. The scientist’s simple message is “1 minute, 10 minutes, 1 hour.†We need to control our breathing and survive the first minute. Then we have 10 minutes to move carefully and thoughtfully, and an hour before we become gravely hypothermic. Knowing this, while we still need to promptly treat hypothermia, we don’t need to panic."

I've been using these for years, in the 10x32, have had good luck with them. http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=313 Seen lots of cool stuff. They live in a dry bag/lap bag, get rinsed off periodically in fresh water, the lens cleaned with an optics rag. If I need them handy while paddling, I put the neck strap on, tuck them into my pfd with the lens cap on. Pretty good for being able to look ahead and try to assess conditions in front of you, or having a peek at conditions further out while still in camp. Great for checking out wildlife on the water or in camp, or when I worked as an outdoor educator, checking on students... The next addition to my kit might be a megaphone... Don't think the specifics of the bino's or manufacturer are so important as getting out and actually using them...

I have yet to use it the Durabak, should bust it out for some outfitting day and see how it works. I put a regular glass keel strip on the bottom of the Shadow, that looks good, and seems to be taking some of the impact. I just don't get that boat close to rocks very often... On another topic, the new Point 65 Whiskey 18 is looking like a good contender for a big boy boat as well...

What did you get? I have some clear paint on Durabak stuff sitting in a closet if you're interested...

Am fighting a cold, repeated dunkings probably not what I need right now. Going to have to take a raincheck...

I'd be interested in attending as well...

I always go warm when I wear the drysuit; the one piece fleece suit over a mid weight top, with synthetic underwear and wool socks. There is usually the too warm phase of the paddle, then I sweat and get things a little damp, then I'm good to go for the rest of the day. When and if I end up in the water in this combo, I feel comfortable enough, and don't feel cold water sucking heat out of me, as I have with lighter under layers in cold water.

I'm up for whatever longer option is available...

Any tips on washing, oh lets say, Kokotat bibs that ended up sitting for a week or so, and are now a little moldy? What should I use to wash them? Thanks...

http://www.owareusa.com/ has pretty cool tarps, and some heavier more durable lay ups for cheaper money. IMO the ultralight tarps aren't worth it for sea kayaking, as weight is not a major issue, and they don't wear as well as heavier\more durable designs. Painter poles work great for setting up tarps, just bring two or three to set up the ridgeline, and another to open one side. Pack easily in the back hatches of most boats as well. And always bring a few extra hashes of p-cord, comes in handy when extra creativity is required when setting up your tarp.

QUOTE(Kevin B @ May 20 2008, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>This depends on what I can get done at the office on Wed., but planning on going around the Cape Thurs. leaving from the Greasy Pole around 8:30 am. If anyone is interested, please post here for planning purposes. Usual SNG rules apply. Is this still happening?

Anyone have any opinions or info on this radio?? http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/store...hallpartial/0/0 Seems like a pretty good deal right now, wondering if its worth picking up, or should I consider something else?? Thanks, John M

Thanks to everyone for making this a fun and informative day. I learned a lot, and enjoyed meeting all of you. I feel much more confident making the transition to cold water paddling, having my frigid baptism in a semi-controled environment. Looking forward to paddling with you folks sometime soon. John M.