Re: [Paddlewise] Point of no return

A point of no return is rare in sea kayaking in my understanding of the 
term. A building offshore gale where you venture out a bit too far, there's 
your point of no return. Not getting off the water at an avaliable haul-out 
and contiunuing down an exposed coast with high wind and waves due part way 
before the next haul-out or the one you passed prior, could be a point of no 
return once you pass that first egress despite forecast warnings or 
whatever. Sometimes a point of no return isn't one you can reasonably 
forcast or forsee enough to stop you dead in your tracks, but then we are 
now into measured risk, which we all have differing tolerances for and 
levels we're willing to accept.

Tidal currents are obviously a point of no return instigator, and often get 
paddlers of all levels if unaccounted for. Developing jumbled water may be a 
point of no return for timid paddlers - while joy for others. So much is 
skill dependent. Where I tend to make my point of no return prognostications 
are in a group setting where there is just too much variability in paddling 
speed, ability to stay upright, equipment and outfitting differences, and 
variable levels of inhibiting anxiety.

If I go too far im my car down a logging road I'll reach a point of no 
return with insufficient gas. When I bite off more ocean than I can chew, I 
slowly dehydrate, cramp up, fall into a caloric energy deficit perhaps, but 
may never reach an actual point of no return, as I'm either still willing to 
push myself, which in small ways, I enjoy. My point of no return is when I'm 
dead, which hasn't happened yet. Either luck or a certain wiliness has got 
me where I am, but that ain't necessarily good seamanship or responsibleness 
to others and community. I'm working on it.

Doug L




> Point of no return is in aeronautics, the point where there is no turning 
> back,
> and is a very important idea, that can well be applied to paddling, and
> a lot of other endeavors. The trick is to be aware of when you've reached 
> it
> and do the right thing - not always easy!
>
>
> As a group leader the hardest job can be to decide that it is time to
> abort a trip (due to weather, wind, participants less than prime
> physique/skill, equipment failure, et cetera), as some in the group
> will think that it just too early, due to ego, invested money/time,
> et cetera, while others might well be so far beyond the point where
> they can reason clearly, due to exhaustion, hypothermia, et cetera,
> that they too can come to the same conclusion.
>
> How do you handle such incidences?!
>
> Do you let the group split up, or what?!
>
> Tord
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