[Paddlewise] Group size (was Tents (was: Camping-3 worst mistakes))

>
>So perhaps a new question, what is the ideal kayak camping group size?
>For safety, I probably shouldn't paddle alone too much, but at what
>size does it get out of hand and needs to be divided into sub-groups.

Lots of arguments available here. Although I'm coming to the feeling that
the best group size is one, I think three or four would normally be
considered about the best. "Three on the sea," I think the Brits say. On
the other hand, if there is incapacating trouble, that leaves two people to
go for help while one stays with the injured. Four give enough variety of
personalities to take the edge off a small group. On longer trips,
two-against-tends to argue against three. More than about five or six,
though, is too big, in my opinion, except perhaps in guided trips where
leadership isn't by cooperation, but by delegation.

As I said, I prefer keeping it small, and am beginning to realize that the
ideal group size may be one.

>Also what sort of scaling of equipment makes sense? everyone with their
>own cook gear, or one person in charge of meals for the group?
>Same with tents, sharing of tents, or everyone with a bivy sack
>or equiv?

On recent trips we've done it backpacker style, with everyone a
self-contained unit. For cooking, group cooking for the main meal of the
day would seem to make sense. 

As far as tents go, though, I solo tent -- I use a Peak I Aires, which fits
down the hatches nicely. No one wants to share a tent with me, and most
prefer to camp as far away as feasable. I don't understand why. People say
I snore loud enough to scare off bears, but I've never noticed it. You'd
think they'd want the protection. ;-)

-- Wes



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