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Gene,

Thank you for the great concept! I did not have a chance to think about it, but yes, I received a true paddlers spinal fusion! They used 50% local bone and 50% man made cages with two keel strips held in place with 6 screws. I did not get a chance to pick a color for the keel strip but since it does not show, who would notice. Now what a really need is a full clear gelcoat repair, maybe next year.

Warren

Pru,

Absolutely! And the wine cooler and martini bar! We may have many NSPNers wanting to join in on our camping trips!

Warren

Peter, I am ordering a 2012 NDK Explorer 50/50 layup with custom forward bulkhead placement and a few other details that I need from Tom at MIKCo. Tom believes the container will arrive Feb/Mar which probably means Mar/Apr which will be fine for me. Same colors as my Romany, just a little longer. Should hold all my gear.

Warren

I would like to thank all the members who nominated me for the Traservo Award and the Board of Directors for selecting me. It is a great honor and a great way to cap off my first year of kayaking. I wish I could have been able to attend the Holiday Party to receive the award, but I was being discharged for the hospital after having a spinal fusion procedure to repair my lower back. My recovery journey is going very well and will be coupled to an intensive weigth training program starting in January so that I can emerge stronger and better prepared for kayaking camping expeditions in 2012. Shortly after the New Year, Santa is planning a delivery of my new expedition quality kayak and an expanded collection of camping gear so that Pru and I can enjoy many camping trips off the coast of Maine. Recently, a collection of NOAA charts for the Jonesport/Machias regions arrived and Staples helped me prepare laminated sections for each of our trips. (Thank you Ed Lawson for the great idea, the charts look awesome!)

I would also like to wish all the NSPN community a safe and healthy holiday season. Hopefully, we will each have many opportunities to use these winter months to begin planning for our kayak camping expeditions in 2012.

Take care,

Warren

I have been happy wearing wool (Ibex) layers under my dry suit. I have two upper and two lower which I adjust to existing conditions. I also like having my storm cag handy during lunch breaks and also to wear during nasty days.

Blaine, during a nasty day on Knubble Bay this past summer the storm cag came out of my day hatch and kept me dry and happy. (Definitely go for the Gore-Tex version.) Supprisingly, among the 15+ paddlers that day, I was the only paddler with one. I never paddle without it in the day hatch.

Warren

Gary,

Thank you for an excellent report! I have never been to Moosehead Lake and now I want to go in 2012 since it is another place to spot an eagle. Also, having lived under a mushroom most of my life, I have never seen a moose. Eagle and moose, what more could you ask for on a trip. Now Gary, PB&J X4! I do need to share some of my camping recipes.

Warren

Peter, thank you very much for your perspective on how a paddler obtains local knowledge. Over the summer I have tried to purchase many publications and became familiar with several websites. My goal was to improve my seamanship skills so they would help me feel safe on the water. I also highly value the help I have received via NSPN postings. As I look forward to 2012, I have much more to learn and accomplish.

Gene, my esteemed colleague, I understand, as well, how solo trips can help a paddler become more skilled and an improved team member on group paddles. I do like both approaches, but sometimes I need to get away by myself on a solo trip to gain the confidence in my own abilities that I can not gain through a group trip or class setting. Over the summer I did have the very good fortune to paddle with Pru who is very much a like-minded paddler and together we learn from each other. We have the added safety of watching over each other as well as the ability to meet our learning goals.

I very much enjoy reading the insights from Rick and Phil regarding the complexity of structuring a learning environment as they take on the roll of coach/teacher/leader. A responsibility that Mark and Sean struggled with at the Lumpy Waters Symposium. As a student, I believe I have four important obligations to the coach/teacher/leader. 1. Self examine your skills/ knowledge and be very honest with yourself and your teacher/paddling buddy. 2. Understand how you learn/retain knowledge and choose the correct format for the knowledge transfer. Perhaps a group class or group paddle is not your best approach. 3. By very clear and concise in your communications. While at the same time be constructive. 4. Do your “homework” in preparing for a class/trip since your life may depend upon your effort.

Warren

This past summer I did have an opportunity to implement an action similar to what you described. In order to take the action (lay low and watch others until the lesson was over) I needed two important pieces of data. 1. My abilities from previous lessons. In this case I can successfully surf waves of 1 to 1.5 feet in height. 2. What is the wave height in this new lesson? On that day the waves measured 3.5 feet in height. As the instructor commented, "They are as big as they get during the summer months!"

After four gallant attempts which all failed, I said to myself, "Not me, not today. I will return again when the waves are 2 feet in height."

Ed, I as well feel at times I am a timid woodland creature. That day this timid woodland creature hide out under a mushroom and sipped a martini!

Warren

Rick,

Thank you for your insights into the symposium model. I sense that the two major New England symposiums have been run with the structure you describe. However, the model does seem to me to create a potential risk simply due to the fix date requirement.

I have noticed that somehow over the summer my abilities to access risks have changed. I no longer believe any fellow paddler or any highly skilled instructor should shoulder most of the responsibility to protect me for harm. I have the ultimate responsibility. So I must question each trip/class as to its safety for me. I do believe many of the students in that class on surfing did understand their responsibilities and spent most of their time on the beach. Perhaps because of my transition, I did not view this report with the same fear reaction as the NSPN Isle of Shoals report. However, I do believe both reports have a great deal to teach us regarding how we see and understand risks.

As you mention above, I do understand the value of local knowledge. I also understand how valuable that knowledge can be when it is part of a paddling team. However, I tend to take a different path in my journey which can involve solo trips and trips in new areas where local knowledge is not available or part of the paddling team. Because of that path I am keenly aware of the increased risk and am intrigued as to how other NSPN colleagues deal with that dilemma. Perhaps other esteemed NSPN colleagues will jump in with their insights.

Rick, in the report Mark felt both he and Sean should shoulder a great deal of the responsibility for the outcome. Perhaps as a fellow coach/leader you would agree. I, however, feel the students had some responsibilities as well. If you agree that the students did in fact have responsibilities to the team, what are their responsibilities and what would you like to have seen in their actions.

Warren

Pru and Bob,

Wow! I hope this thread has legs for a few more days. Therefore, let me throw out a few ideas.

It is interesting how each of you assess risk. A common human trait is the tendency to "drift into at-risk behavior". Unfortunately, the data shows that this trait is more common among the very highly skills people within all occupations. Fortunately, I have not seen this behavior during any of the classes I have taken here in New England, but I am always looking for it to appear. I believe both Mark and Sean drifted into an at-risk behavior and unfortunately a good barrier to counter that behavior had been removed. The barrier was group understanding of the waters to be used during the class. Perhaps this is a common weakness in the Symposium model?

Since it is my goal to paddle in the Pacific Northwest, I found this report to be facinating to say the least.

Pru and Bob, I do believe that our much less experienced skill sets can bring value in both the way we understand behavior and in the way we manipulate barriers to drifting into at-risk behaviors.

Warren

Rick,

Thank you for posting the link above. I find postings of that nature to be riveting. Perhaps each of us are constantly trying to find the right balance between what helps us feel safe/comfortable on the water and what helps us feel challenged and rewarded. Before beginning each trip I am reminded of a statement you made to me this summer in Seabrook. The statement was; "Be careful and thoughtful regarding the trajectory of your kayaking journey. If not, you may very well find yourself in a situation that you are ill prepared to handle." No doubt those were words of wisdom gained from prior experiences. However they were gained, they will stay with me as my journey continues.

Warren

Suz,

Yes, I use the approach you describe above, but I also needed to add Mrs. Palmers Surfboard Wax for Cold Water to the paddle shaft as you recommended last year.

Warren

Pru,

Once again, thank you for a great trip report! As you know, I have already begun thinking ahead to next year and all the great and exciting places we need to explore. Last week six more nautical charts arrived and I will look at buying even more. I do not believe a sea kayaker can ever have too many charts!

Warren

[muscongus bay is a beautiful place to paddle. I have never put in at broad cove, instead opting to head to Friendship... Paddle off in the direction of Gay to Caldwell and down the island chain to Allen. I have paddled in the medomak river and don't recall much in so far as currents, but it may have been the day and the tide.... Anyway i thought if you hadn't seen this write up i would post it....http://www.paddling.net/places/printReport.html?481.lots of lovely islands and ledges. This is a notorious week end for the fall migration for peregrines and the little birds they like to eat. Keep your eyes open.

Beckt,

Thank you for the article. I am very interested in understanding the "cautions" for new areas and this article is very helpful. Thank you also for the info on the peregrines. I remember in years past watching the raptors migrate thru Plum Island as they followed the larger migrations and feeding on the weaker members. I will keep my eyes open!

Warren

I've been paddling Muscongus Bay some part of every summer for over a decade. Unless there is a strong river flow enhancing it, the tidal current around Bremen is not fast. Your estimates are high if anything. Nearby at Havener Ledge one can find current strong enough to play in. When river current is running against tide there can be fun bumpy seas at the mouth of the Medomak. There is a sizable Harbor Seal colony at lower tide states on the ledges between Cow and Jim's.

Muscongus is my favorite paddling spot. Enjoy!

Jim,

Thank you for the info on the seal colony. Earlier this summer I was paddling on Casco Bay and spend a long time enjoying the seal colony on Grassy ledge off Upper and Lower Goose. The seal pups would come very close to the boat and study me and I would study them. It was most enjoyable!

Warren

Thank you Doug and Scott for the great pictures! Squam Lake is one of those beautiful places that everyone should paddle. Even though the weather looked gloomy from the photos, I never felt that way out on the water. Perhaps that was due to the location or perhaps due to the great group of paddlers. Doug, thank you for organizing a great trip!

Warren

Phil,

Your comments are helpful and yes most of the trip is planned to work with the current not against the flow. Since we will be launching from Broad Cove Marine we will ride the current down to our camp site and when we return on Sunday we can ride the current back to Broad Cove. I do, however, have a facination for current flow having worked with it under the bridge at Seabrook and in Lower Hell's Gate. I do see an opportunity to learn more in the Flying Passage and yet I want to be respectful of any risks. I also see an opportunity to work with back eddies which I lack in experience. In studying the shore line of Bremen Long Island, I suspect back eddies may be present!

Warren

A couple of NSPN paddlers are planning a kayak camping trip in Muscongus Bay on 10/7 thru 10/9 and hope to circumnavigate both Bremen Long Island as well as Hungry Island. Dorcas Miller, in his guide book for the Maine coast states there is stong current flow in Flying Passage as well as Mockomock Channel. Since the phases of the moon are favorable on 10/7 and 10/8, the range is still approximately 8ft. I am predicting a current flow during peak flood of 2 to 3 knots and would hope to find back eddies on the west coast of Bremen Long Island if the circumnavigation effort encounters current flow of this speed. Although every effort will be made to complete the circumnavigation effort with the current in our favor, it might be enjoyable to calculate a solution using the eddy structure in both the Passage and the Channel.

Does anyone have experience paddling this area, and are my predictions reasonable? Having never paddled this bay, I am hoping for a reality check.

Warren

Doug,

One idea to consider is a "Post Paddle Pig Out" (PPPO) at the Tilt'n Diner (pink building) exit 20 off route 93 in Tilton, NH. This past weekend, Dave and I pigged out there after our Squam Lake paddle. I think it is a tradition!

Warren

Yes, sign me up as well!

Warren

Doug,

I just returned from a one night camping trip to Bowman Island in Squam Lake. The lake is amazingly beautiful! I took your suggestion and paddled around Yard Islands. Beautiful Islands, but keep an eye out for the all the rocks just below the surface of the water. Eagles have begun building a nest on Little Loon Island, but did not spot them on this trip. A must see is the open air chapel on Chocorua Island (Church Island). Don't forget the canal between Bean Cove and Sturtevant Bay. On one side is the Centre Harbor Town Beach with a picnic table, perfect for a snack break. I am really tempted to join you if Squam is choosen. The swamp maples were turning color and I suspect the foliage will be beautiful on October 1.

Also, the launch site at Piper Cove is terrific. The helpful staff sold me a great nautical chart of the lake. Being the "nav geek" that I am, that chart is wonderful and worth every penny of the $5.00 fee.

Warren

Or even better share the islands based on the MITA book. IE Camp on ISLAND (MITA 2011 PG x).

Jason,

Great idea! I am seriously considering MITA 2011 guide book page 136. I hear it is a real crowd pleaser without the crowd this time of year.

Warren

Ed,

It sounds like you enjoy visiting Muscongus Bay. Have you ever camped in Muscongus and if so where did you stay? In the interest of honoring our MITA protocols regarding the discussion of private MITA islands, you could e-mail me at: miwp at wdhospital dot com.

Warren

Ed,

Based on your chart showing the location of nesting eagles in Muscongus Bay, I focused on Hog Island info on the web. The photo below is an example of one of the Hog Island eagles.

Warren

Warren:

I think it was you that was looking for info on Eagles and Muscongus Bay. I could not find the thread.

Anyway, here is a map of Muscongus on which the various locations used by nesting pairs is noted.

Ed Lawson

Ed,

Wow! That is excellent! Muscongus Bay here I come......

Thank you!!

Warren