Re: [Paddlewise] speed it up

From: <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1999 17:59:01 -0800
Dan Hagen wrote:
> 
> Tom Cromwell wrote:
> >
> > How long does it take you to take down camp on a long kayak trip? What do you
> > do to speed it up if you have to get off the beach fast?
> > ...[snip]...
> > ... even when we where trying it still took 2 hours!
> 
> That sounds about right to me. It never ceases to amaze me how long it
> takes to get going in the morning. No single task takes very long, but
> there are maybe 30-40 little things to do, each of which takes 2-5
> minutes even when you are in a hurry. It adds up quickly. It seems that
> the only thing that makes for a really quick exit is if nearly
> everything is packed up and ready to go the evening before.

I think the thing to do is say you are going to get out fast and skip
breakfast except for maybe an energy bar.

As a generalization, morning conditions are usually the calmest of the
day in terms of wind and seas (also twilight).  If you are doing a
multi-day trip, you can always cover more distance if you get out at 6
or 7 in the morning.  If bad weather is going to come in, it tends to do
so later in the day.  If you start off in the statistically calmer
morning and paddle say two hours, you will be at least 8 miles along on
your trip.  Have breakfast then and it won't be such a production as it
might be earlier when knocking down camp.  Then you can get in another 8
miles before noon.  If the weather gets bad, you will be some 15 miles
or so along in your day.

In contrast, if you don't get off until 10 am, you may only get a few
hours in before bad weather sets in.

ralph
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
Received on Sat Nov 13 1999 - 15:04:46 PST

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:30:16 PDT