...

NSPN Community - New Update! The May trip is full. The June trip is full The July trip is full. Pru and I are very pleased with the response. We have begun working with the May team so we all have a safe, comfortable and fun trip. Watch for future trip reports and photos of the happy campers! Warren

Jason, I use the Kelty Noah's Tarp: 12 which is good size and packs well in the Explorer. I also use the polls they recommend. The package says it can accommodate 8 people. Last fall, Rob and I tested it on Quahog Bay in gale force winds. It held up like a champ. I think the key was the "improved tie down system" which we used. Rob and Cathy suggested I try the Thule bow and stern tie downs since I had four of them and they were just collecting dust in the basement. I can not imagine anyone using them to tie down their kayaks, when they work great holding down a tarp in high winds! Hope this helps! Warren

Paul, I took a look at the VHF/DSC/GPS on-line that you are thinking of purchasing and it does look like a fine piece of equipment. You are correct, for very little money you can add in the GPS. Regarding your concern for battery life, you can always add the FBA-38 Alkaline Battery Tray as an option and fill it with rechargeable batteries. I would guess you can also turn off the compass feature while using the GPS to add battery life. The big question is, do you know what you might want to do with the GPS? You might answer that question after you get the GPS? I do use a VHF and a separate GPS, but that is not always the best option. It does work for me, simply because I have two very specific needs. 1. I want the GPS to assist me in navigating in thick fog. For that, my GPS needed a data chip with detailed nautical charts since I may not always have my waypoints established in the area where I encounter the fog. I do still prefer to use compass and chart to guide me, but after you have been paddling for 20+ minutes in moving water and you still see nothing, taking a glance at the GPS can add some reassurance you are still on track. I would guess the unit you seek may not have access to the charts. 2. I also like paddling in new areas where no one on the team has any knowledge of the area. As I make ready to land on a MITA or MCHT island I like to do a verification on the GPS so I am not landing on someones private island. If one or both of these uses seem like functions you want your GPS to perform, you might check out any on-line user manuals. Also keep in mind, if you happen to own an iPhone or equivalent, there is a handy app with both GPS and nautical charts called "Marine Charts, EarthNC". If my memory serves me, Scott Camlin uses this app. I know most paddlers use their GPS units for many more tasks, but this seems to be enough for me for now. Hope this helps. Warren

Chris, Sounds like you are well on your way to assembling a combo that works well for you! By the way, I am 5'11", chest about the same size, shirt sleeve 34/35 so I found the Kokata dry suit in size L to be the best fit for me. You might need to consider your sleeve size if you seek a size M. Also, I do see the benefit of seeking a Gore-Tex product if possible. We all have a tendency to sweat while paddling. Some more than others, and Gore-Tex is really good for allowing your body to breath and stay dry underneath. Just a thought. Another product you might find beneficial somewhere down the line is a Kokata Gore-Tex Storm Cag. I tend to use mine more when taking a lunch break to stay warm and dry. The product is gender neutral and one size fits all. I tend to prefer the Gore-Tex version and I will admit you may not see this product available as used in a resale. Paddlers who get them hate to part with them. Hope to see you out on the water this season! Warren

NSPN Community - New Update! The May trip is full. The June trip now has one opening left! The July trip is full. Don't delay! Warren

Rob, First off, thank you for arranging these sessions. In checking my calendar, I can participate in all three sessions. I do agree we need at least three hardy souls, so I would guess we can at least practice on 3/31/13 with Jeff. I can be available to participate at the other two sessions as well. Earlier this year, I had the privilege of working with Bob Levine, the Grand Poobah of Assisted Rescues, at the Haverhill pool sessions. During those sessions, Bob would insist I practice all 87 variations on assisted and solo rescues. You know, right side, left side, on hand tied behind your back, blindfolded, etc. So, in many ways, I feel ready. I also see this as the next logical step beyond the pool sessions. Sort of like “reality therapy” for the cold water paddler. Let’s do it! Warren

Hi Beth, Congratulations on the purchase of your dry suit! Welcome to the May camping team. Warren To the NSPN community. The May trip has one opening left! Please remember, a dry suit is required for this trip. The June trip now has one opening left! The July trip is full. Don't delay!

NSPN Community, Quick update! The May trip has only one opening left! Please remember, a dry suit is required for this trip. The June trip now has one opening left! The July trip is full. Don't delay! Warren and Pru

NSPN Community, Quick update! The May trip has only one opening left! Please remember, a dry suit is required for this trip. The June trip is full The July trip is full. Don't delay! Warren and Pru

Yes, count me in. Warren

NSPN Community, Quick update! The May trip has only one opening left! The June trip has only one opening left! The July trip is full. Don't delay! Warren and Pru

My story comes with a picture! It was last August and PeterB had arranged to take a group of happy campers on a trip to the Jonesport, Maine area and Great Wass. Glenn was particularly good at taking pictures and arranged to take this one of the whole group. I keep this picture on my computer at work and look at it often. Especially during the winter months. It is my hope that on each kayak camping trip we all come away with pictures which we treasure and refer to often. Warren Oh, I almost forgot to name the people in the photo for all the gentle readers who have not yet met the Happy Campers! In the foreground we have; me, Katherine and Peter. In the background we have Rob, Judy and Glenn. Now don't we look happy?

The operators tell me late evening is their busiest time for incoming questions. Last night was no exception. Hey Spider and Lorrie, your postings were a BIG hit! 1. Seems we sometimes spend too much time focused on the risks and mishaps that can happen to sea kayakers. I want to believe you did not choose this activity to simply dodge hazards. When I read the postings by Spider and Lorrie I understand how sea kayaking can make you happy. Can I hear more stories like that from the others? So there you go NSPN paddlers, can you give us your stories? Can you do as well as Spider and Lorrie? Warren

NSPN Community, The July trip filled up in three days! Wow! The June and May trips are filling fast. Don't delay! Warren and Pru

Rob, Hey buddy, count me in as well. Warren

If I am not off kayak camping, I would like to attend as well. Warren P.S. What is with all this snow today?! Mother Nature, how rude!!!!!

Well Rob, I did enjoy reading your report. I must have, since I read it twice. It is true we paddled in worse wind conditions and perhaps from that experience you knew you could push on. But there was a big difference between our Sebascodegan Island trip and your Little Harbor trip. The big difference was that you did the Little Harbor trip solo. My take away from the Sebascodegan trip was not just the fact that these wonderful boats we play with can handle all kinds of wind and conditions, it was how at the end of that trip we had developed a thought process for dealing with a challenge. I know you and I know myself, and like most people we can progress through three stages when confronted with a challenge; concern, worry and fear. The big lesson for me from the Sebascodegan trip was how we crafted a methodology to control the progression through the stages. That methodology is based on good observation skills, sound decision making and solid team work. We practiced that methodology over and over on each other, three times to be exact. During each time, I sensed that we were concerned but never worried. We knew that concern is good, it causes you to pause and it heightens your observation skills. Worry can inhibit your decision making by creating a sense that the challenge is larger than life. If you continue on your journey to be a solo paddler, you may want to rethink the methodology we developed since it is a “three legged chair” and requires teamwork. This will not be easy but I know you have the skill to do this if it is what you seek. As you spend time working with John Carmody, he will teach you to develop a deeply personal song to sing to yourself as you sense your progression from concern to worry. Begin selecting your song, my friend! Warren

Katherine, Excellent! Welcome to the Corner! What is a budget??? Warren