BethS

Sounds like a wonderful weekend! Thanks for taking us along

Warren et al; I just want to say thanks to all of you for providing a very amusing and educational thread, which I am following with great enjoyment. I heard quite a few "bear stories" when I was backpacking in Alaska a while back, but the Miss Clairol hair spray option is total news to me. It makes me have a certain respect for the fortitude of those women who will clearly go to great lengths for the sake of fashion, or perhaps they are just tougher than any grizzly... Now I am trying to picture a grizzly bear with "big hair"!

A great day with a fine bunch of bunnies, and thanks Pru for another great trip report. My thanks to the bunny who saved the day for me by lending me a sprayskirt after I left mine at home, and my admiration for the one bunny who actually took the plunge... I was tempted, but only briefly. And yes, I got sunburned too.... Happy Easter everyone! Beth

Thanks for the great report Pru. Very sorry to have missed this, but glad I didn't share my germs with you all. I'll have to catch this class next year, meanwhile I look forward to the next session on the water!

Many thanks for the advice, I decided to go with the Tybee, since REI is having a sale is was just over 100.00, and it looks pretty indestructable.

My current paddle collection is one carbon fiber wing paddle that I don't want to chip much less loose or break, a couple of greenland paddles, and one low angle touring paddle. I'm looking for something that has bigger blades for more power in surf, 2 piece adjustable angle, around 210 or maybe 215 cm, and not more than around 100.00, since it may get dinged up anyway. Any suggestions, or does anyone have such a paddle they want to get rid of? Beth

Warren, thanks for sharing all of your info with us, not only is it fun to read, but as you said a lot of it is useful for planning all kinds of future trips! Side note, you may already have the bug issue totally sorted out, but just in case it's useful, I just remembered that last summer I finally got some of those permethrin treated clothes, I used them in Vt and ME in some very buggy places and they really worked well, I wished I'd had them when I was in Alaska... I got the Rail RIders (railriders.com) Madison RIver shirt and the eco-mesh pants (both with "insect shield"); quite excellent for bug/sun/wind and even light rain protection; nice because you often have all of these at the same time! I was hiking and canoeing but i think they might be great for kayaking as well. Add a no-see-um proof headnet and few tubes of ultrathon DEET and you will be all set... Beth

Keep us posted, it's fun reading about all of your preparations, vicarious pleasure (although haveing been to Alaska twice for backpacking, i don't envy you the bug aspect, they aren't always bad, but when they are, bug nets rule!) I have nothing to say about bears that others with more knowledge have not said already, it sounds like you are making excellent plans for an excellent trip, I hope you get lots of great pictures to share!

I'd be interested depending on the date, but i don't know if it's fair for me to take a spot though, since I got to go last year, and can no longer be considered a newbie! In any case I would be happy to defer to someone else if there ends up being a wait list. This trip is a great chance to learn everything you need to know to get started kayak camping, if anyone has an interest i'd recommend you sign up!

I'd love to come but I can't make the first session this Sunday, however I can do the other days. Would this be OK for me to come to the other 3 sessions? (I do have some kayak trip planning experience already, so I'm not totally starting from zero...) I am a level 3 paddler, some rescue experience. Beth

Definitely!

I can't be an organizer but I'd love to be a participant!

I'll be there! I'll try to find my bunny ears, but may have to settle for my silly fleece hat instead...

Warren, I have had very good results with soup and spaghetti sauce with mine, it came with special trays for liquids/mushy stuff like soup, stew, and sauces. It turns them into a leathery film which can be rehydrated (or eaten as is, if you are fond of spaghetti sauce leather!). The trick is to use the right temp so things don't burn, be sure you get a model with an adjustable temperature setting. I agree about frequent refueling, I basically nibble all day long, maybe that's why I don't lose weight on trips but it certainly keeps my energy level steadier as well. Beth

Yeah, my dehydrator does not have a timer either, or even an on/off switch, you just plug it in and unplug it! But that means nothing to break which may be why it has lasted so long... I just use a timer switch on the outlet, and plug it into that. Warren, Wow how do manage to lose a pound a day! I mean I know you are a turbo-charged super-paddler, but even on winter backpacking/mountaineering trips (in my younger years) I've never lost more than 2 lbs in a week (and of course I was happy to see it go! Some of us are just plain jealous... ) still I guess it could get inconvenient to actually have to worry about it! Sounds like you have an excellent plan for keeping up with your nutritional needs; I have always preferred home-made stuff to the icky and expensive freeze dried and I'm sure it is more nutritious.

I've been very happy with the circular Harvest Maid food dehydrator which I have used for 20+ years. It works very well and is very easy to use, not too expensive either. You can dry just about anything (it has instructions that come with it). I have used it to prepare food for many backpacking trips and daytrips. Sounds like you have some exciting plans Warren! Beth

I am planning to attend, I hope more people are interested and that it takes place! It's on my calendar.

Sorry I can't make it this weekend, have a great day!

Thanks for the tip, I'll do that! The offer is still good though if anyone wants it, I'm in Cambridge BTW.

I have a 1/2 tube of 3M 5200 high strength waterproof caulk that should be used up in the next few days, unfortunately the opened tube won't keep much longer than that. It is not recommended for windows (alas) but it seems to have done a fine job with sealing the leaks in my kayak hatches. If anyone wants it shoot me a pm or email me at shopper5002000@yahoo.com Beth

I was there about 20 years ago in Valdez, but only did a couple of day trips from there in a kayak. It is stunningly beautiful, I hope to get back there before too long. In the protected bays the water is pretty warm for the first 12 inches (from constant sunlight all summer) then it drops 15 degrees to below 50 about a foot down.... It's hard to know how to dress because the water and air can both change temp rapidly. Personally I would bring both a drysuit and a wetsuit even in summer, but I'm sure you could get by with just a 3 ml. wetsuit and paddling top. We were told to stay at least 1/4 mile away from the calving glaciers (I'm sure you know about this!) Sounds like a fantastic adventure! Beth

Thank you Pru for another wonderful trip report, It was a wonderful weekend. I hope to make it up to Cobscook Bay next year! Beth

What a great weekend! Many thanks to everyone for a very good time! Beth

sorry I can't make it, thanks for the offer though!