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First time in the Adirondacks
Quote from MaxineM on August 31, 2022, 10:45 pmI am super excited for this Labor Day weekend! A friend and I are heading to Fish Creek Pond Campground in the Adirondacks for few days of car camping and paddling. I've never been there (my friend has, many times.) She'll be paddling her beautiful, super-light Hornbeck canoe; I'll be making do with my shorter, plastic sea kayak (a 14-foot P&H Virgo LV -- more suitable for this environment than my usual ride, a 16 1/2 foot gel-coated Kevlar Current Designs Suka).
Because we are sharing the campsite (and my car to get there), we are each forgoing our usual palatial 4-person car camping McMansions 😀 in favor of our much smaller 2-person tents. (Smaller tents are cozier/warmer on cooler nights, anyway, but it *is* nice to be able to stand up to change clothes and such.)
Can't wait! 🙂
I am super excited for this Labor Day weekend! A friend and I are heading to Fish Creek Pond Campground in the Adirondacks for few days of car camping and paddling. I've never been there (my friend has, many times.) She'll be paddling her beautiful, super-light Hornbeck canoe; I'll be making do with my shorter, plastic sea kayak (a 14-foot P&H Virgo LV -- more suitable for this environment than my usual ride, a 16 1/2 foot gel-coated Kevlar Current Designs Suka).
Because we are sharing the campsite (and my car to get there), we are each forgoing our usual palatial 4-person car camping McMansions 😀 in favor of our much smaller 2-person tents. (Smaller tents are cozier/warmer on cooler nights, anyway, but it *is* nice to be able to stand up to change clothes and such.)
Can't wait! 🙂
Quote from Rob6 on September 1, 2022, 12:31 pmThat sounds like an awesome trip! You'll have to share some pics and stories when you get back.
That sounds like an awesome trip! You'll have to share some pics and stories when you get back.
Quote from nathanu on September 1, 2022, 2:35 pm@maxinem you had me until you said tent 🙂 Seriously though, this sounds like an AWESOME adventure and I can't wait to hear back after the trip!!
@maxinem you had me until you said tent 🙂 Seriously though, this sounds like an AWESOME adventure and I can't wait to hear back after the trip!!
Quote from MaxineM on September 9, 2022, 11:47 amSo, my first experience of the Adirondacks was fabulous! I went with a friend who has paddled there many times; it was great having an experienced guide. We stayed at Fish Creek Pond Campground. It has a lot of waterfront sites that you can launch right from; we were in one of the "in-land" sites, but by dumb luck we were right across the narrow camp road from one of the A Loop access sites, so we didn't need the car for our Saturday arrival-day paddle. That was a 7-mile paddle under brilliant blue skies, white clouds, and the nearly-setting sun. Very few other boaters out, despite it being Labor Day weekend.
The Sunday paddle was 10 miles, in Middle Saranac Lake and Weller Pond. I had told my friend that I wanted to paddle somewhere we could see mountain peaks, so she recommended this option, near the High Peaks area. Alas, Sunday was gray, damp, misty, occasionally drizzly, so clouds were obscuring most of the peaks. But it was still so beautiful, just in a different way. I was loving all the various muted shades of gray, punctuated by the dark green firs. And we had the water almost all to ourselves all day -- there was only one other boat out.
The campground is huge (in theory, you could walk to the showers from where we were, but it's a loooong haul; most people drive or bicycle), and the sites are packed in pretty closely (especially the waterfront sites) but it was surprisingly mellow -- people respected the quiet hours. It's fairly remote; there is a small camping/convenience store just a bit outside the gates, but beyond that, you have to drive 20 minutes or so to get to a (small) town.
I took a million pictures, lol! I've winnowed it down, but I can't figure out how to post photos here, not sure what to put for "source." The pics are sitting in a folder on my laptop.
So, my first experience of the Adirondacks was fabulous! I went with a friend who has paddled there many times; it was great having an experienced guide. We stayed at Fish Creek Pond Campground. It has a lot of waterfront sites that you can launch right from; we were in one of the "in-land" sites, but by dumb luck we were right across the narrow camp road from one of the A Loop access sites, so we didn't need the car for our Saturday arrival-day paddle. That was a 7-mile paddle under brilliant blue skies, white clouds, and the nearly-setting sun. Very few other boaters out, despite it being Labor Day weekend.
The Sunday paddle was 10 miles, in Middle Saranac Lake and Weller Pond. I had told my friend that I wanted to paddle somewhere we could see mountain peaks, so she recommended this option, near the High Peaks area. Alas, Sunday was gray, damp, misty, occasionally drizzly, so clouds were obscuring most of the peaks. But it was still so beautiful, just in a different way. I was loving all the various muted shades of gray, punctuated by the dark green firs. And we had the water almost all to ourselves all day -- there was only one other boat out.
The campground is huge (in theory, you could walk to the showers from where we were, but it's a loooong haul; most people drive or bicycle), and the sites are packed in pretty closely (especially the waterfront sites) but it was surprisingly mellow -- people respected the quiet hours. It's fairly remote; there is a small camping/convenience store just a bit outside the gates, but beyond that, you have to drive 20 minutes or so to get to a (small) town.
I took a million pictures, lol! I've winnowed it down, but I can't figure out how to post photos here, not sure what to put for "source." The pics are sitting in a folder on my laptop.
Quote from nathanu on September 9, 2022, 5:50 pmThat sounds like an AWESOME adventure!! This may be kindof a dumb question, but you mention seven miles and 10 miles for the two days and I don't know anything about paddling. When I hike, I typically average 2 to 2.5 MPH and I can do around 10 miles in a day as long as there's no crazy elevation or obstacles. Is there a translation between miles paddling and miles walking that you're aware of? If I were to look into a paddling adventure, what would be a reasonable distance to start out with?
Also, regarding the pictures, I don't think that I have it enabled on this (yet). The cost for the hosting for the site is based on a number of things including storage, so I'm trying to avoid needing a ton of storage until I figure out what I'm doing and how I'm going to pay for this if it grows 🙂
That sounds like an AWESOME adventure!! This may be kindof a dumb question, but you mention seven miles and 10 miles for the two days and I don't know anything about paddling. When I hike, I typically average 2 to 2.5 MPH and I can do around 10 miles in a day as long as there's no crazy elevation or obstacles. Is there a translation between miles paddling and miles walking that you're aware of? If I were to look into a paddling adventure, what would be a reasonable distance to start out with?
Also, regarding the pictures, I don't think that I have it enabled on this (yet). The cost for the hosting for the site is based on a number of things including storage, so I'm trying to avoid needing a ton of storage until I figure out what I'm doing and how I'm going to pay for this if it grows 🙂
Quote from MaxineM on September 10, 2022, 2:28 amTotally understand about the pictures! Maybe I'll have to find an external stand-alone site to host them, then I could just post a link. I used to use something like that, ages ago, but I can't remember now what it was called.
A paddle-to-hiking equivalent: hmmm, that's an interesting question! I've occasionally seen discussions about biking to running (often in the context of "is riding a century as hard as running a marathon?" "No. No, it is not." 🙂 Paddling and hiking, though, are I think more different from one another.
For some context, we did those paddles at 2.7 and 2.8 MPH. That is slow for me; I generally average around 3.2 to 3.5, and faster than that in my 16.5-foot kayak. But we were in no hurry, we just wanted to enjoy the scenery. And I needed to slow my usual pace, anyway, because my friend was paddling a canoe (and she's still getting used to it; she's a very accomplished sea kayaker) and even my shorter (14-foot) sea kayak is a faster boat. But I can easily paddle 13-15 miles at those higher speeds (and in water far bumpier than the very smooth water we experienced that weekend.) I sometimes paddle with two different local clubs, and most of the paddles that most people want to do are in the 8-10 mile range.
Kayaking should certainly be easier on your joints, especially in your legs, so you probably won't feel as "beat up" after a longer paddle as you might after a longer hike.
I guess I should mention a significant caveat: I paddle sea kayaks; they are long, skinny boats. I have very little experience paddling recreational kayaks, which tend to be shorter and wider. A hike is a hike is a hike 🙂 given the same terrain; maybe one's choice of footwear might make a bit of difference, but that difference pales, I think, next to the difference between paddling a 9-foot long 27" wide rec boat and paddling a 17-foot, 21" wide sea kayak. With a properly-executed forward stroke in a sea kayak, you can paddle a very long distance at good speed without wearing yourself out (and I use a Greenland paddle, which is even better for not beating your body up over the long haul.) Paddling a shorter, wider boat is just more work (and it's more difficult to get a really good forward stroke.)
I would say aim for no more than 3-5 miles your very first time out paddling, and then judge how you feel from there. (The wind and the water conditions will, of course, significantly affect your trip; I'm assuming relatively calm water, and relatively mild wind.) Maybe get a lesson (or watch some good YouTube videos) so you understand the basics of how to hold and use the paddle. Make sure the kayak you use has foot braces, and have someone explain how to adjust them; that will really help.
Totally understand about the pictures! Maybe I'll have to find an external stand-alone site to host them, then I could just post a link. I used to use something like that, ages ago, but I can't remember now what it was called.
A paddle-to-hiking equivalent: hmmm, that's an interesting question! I've occasionally seen discussions about biking to running (often in the context of "is riding a century as hard as running a marathon?" "No. No, it is not." 🙂 Paddling and hiking, though, are I think more different from one another.
For some context, we did those paddles at 2.7 and 2.8 MPH. That is slow for me; I generally average around 3.2 to 3.5, and faster than that in my 16.5-foot kayak. But we were in no hurry, we just wanted to enjoy the scenery. And I needed to slow my usual pace, anyway, because my friend was paddling a canoe (and she's still getting used to it; she's a very accomplished sea kayaker) and even my shorter (14-foot) sea kayak is a faster boat. But I can easily paddle 13-15 miles at those higher speeds (and in water far bumpier than the very smooth water we experienced that weekend.) I sometimes paddle with two different local clubs, and most of the paddles that most people want to do are in the 8-10 mile range.
Kayaking should certainly be easier on your joints, especially in your legs, so you probably won't feel as "beat up" after a longer paddle as you might after a longer hike.
I guess I should mention a significant caveat: I paddle sea kayaks; they are long, skinny boats. I have very little experience paddling recreational kayaks, which tend to be shorter and wider. A hike is a hike is a hike 🙂 given the same terrain; maybe one's choice of footwear might make a bit of difference, but that difference pales, I think, next to the difference between paddling a 9-foot long 27" wide rec boat and paddling a 17-foot, 21" wide sea kayak. With a properly-executed forward stroke in a sea kayak, you can paddle a very long distance at good speed without wearing yourself out (and I use a Greenland paddle, which is even better for not beating your body up over the long haul.) Paddling a shorter, wider boat is just more work (and it's more difficult to get a really good forward stroke.)
I would say aim for no more than 3-5 miles your very first time out paddling, and then judge how you feel from there. (The wind and the water conditions will, of course, significantly affect your trip; I'm assuming relatively calm water, and relatively mild wind.) Maybe get a lesson (or watch some good YouTube videos) so you understand the basics of how to hold and use the paddle. Make sure the kayak you use has foot braces, and have someone explain how to adjust them; that will really help.
Quote from nathanu on September 10, 2022, 12:57 pmWow, very cool and awesome detail! I may have to look into adding paddling to my list of outdoor addictions now 🙂
Wow, very cool and awesome detail! I may have to look into adding paddling to my list of outdoor addictions now 🙂
Quote from Rob6 on September 11, 2022, 5:10 pmHi @nathanu.
I paddle a recreational kayak, like what @maxinem mentioned. An Emotion Glide, which is a sit-inside kayak about 10 ft long. Not sure of the width. I've never tried a sea kayak, but have paddled alongside them in some events. I have to agree that they are faster and sleeker and seem to require less physical effort to propel. And also more expensive. Just like all the outdoor hobbies, it costs more and more as you elevate your game. The Glide suits me just fine for what I do, and it's easier to store and transport. You can also consider a sit-on-top design which some people prefer.
I also agree with her recommendations on how to get started. 3-5 miles in calm water while you get your feet wet (both literally and figuratively). Yeah, I know...a Dad Joke.
I originally began quite a few years ago through my kids when they were younger. I took them to a "How to Paddle" class at a local nature conservancy and after seeing how much fun they had, I just had to join in and bought kayaks for each of us. I started learning in a nearby creek, but now in addition to that go out along the coastline of the Chesapeake Bay and many of its tributaries.
I don't get out on the water as much as I'd like, but I always enjoy when I do. I think you should try it out.
Hi @nathanu.
I paddle a recreational kayak, like what @maxinem mentioned. An Emotion Glide, which is a sit-inside kayak about 10 ft long. Not sure of the width. I've never tried a sea kayak, but have paddled alongside them in some events. I have to agree that they are faster and sleeker and seem to require less physical effort to propel. And also more expensive. Just like all the outdoor hobbies, it costs more and more as you elevate your game. The Glide suits me just fine for what I do, and it's easier to store and transport. You can also consider a sit-on-top design which some people prefer.
I also agree with her recommendations on how to get started. 3-5 miles in calm water while you get your feet wet (both literally and figuratively). Yeah, I know...a Dad Joke.
I originally began quite a few years ago through my kids when they were younger. I took them to a "How to Paddle" class at a local nature conservancy and after seeing how much fun they had, I just had to join in and bought kayaks for each of us. I started learning in a nearby creek, but now in addition to that go out along the coastline of the Chesapeake Bay and many of its tributaries.
I don't get out on the water as much as I'd like, but I always enjoy when I do. I think you should try it out.
Quote from MaxineM on September 11, 2022, 8:46 pmYep! What Rob6 said. 🙂 Rec kayaks are not "inferior" to sea kayaks, it's just a case of "different job, different tools." There are some environments in which a long, skinny boat is at a distinct disadvantage (e.g. narrow, winding creeks and such -- anything in which quick maneuverability is required. There is a reason that whitewater kayaks are short and wide, lol! Sea kayaks do not turn quickly, as a rule.) Greater cost, greater learning curve, more difficult to store and transport -- there are a lot of reasons to at least start off with a rec kayak and see if that meets your needs. If you start yearning to go far or fast, or to go kayak camping for a few nights, well . . . then you've truly drunk the Kool-Aid, and might start looking for a different boat. I paddled a rec kayak (a 10-foot Old Town Otter, waaaay back in the day) and by the end of the first season, I already knew I wanted something different. But the Otter was great for loading up onto the sailboat for a long weekend outing!
The only caution I would offer -- and this goes back to the "different job, different tools" concept -- is when the manufacturers tell you a sit-inside boat is intended for "calm, inland waters," believe them. Particularly if (as is the case with a lot of recreational kayaks) they have only one sealed bulkhead compartment (or no sealed bulkheads.) Rec kayaks are very stable craft, so you are less likely to capsize, but if you do, things can get very difficult very quickly if they lack bow or stern floatation. (Google "kayak" and "Cleopatra's needle.")
Yep! What Rob6 said. 🙂 Rec kayaks are not "inferior" to sea kayaks, it's just a case of "different job, different tools." There are some environments in which a long, skinny boat is at a distinct disadvantage (e.g. narrow, winding creeks and such -- anything in which quick maneuverability is required. There is a reason that whitewater kayaks are short and wide, lol! Sea kayaks do not turn quickly, as a rule.) Greater cost, greater learning curve, more difficult to store and transport -- there are a lot of reasons to at least start off with a rec kayak and see if that meets your needs. If you start yearning to go far or fast, or to go kayak camping for a few nights, well . . . then you've truly drunk the Kool-Aid, and might start looking for a different boat. I paddled a rec kayak (a 10-foot Old Town Otter, waaaay back in the day) and by the end of the first season, I already knew I wanted something different. But the Otter was great for loading up onto the sailboat for a long weekend outing!
The only caution I would offer -- and this goes back to the "different job, different tools" concept -- is when the manufacturers tell you a sit-inside boat is intended for "calm, inland waters," believe them. Particularly if (as is the case with a lot of recreational kayaks) they have only one sealed bulkhead compartment (or no sealed bulkheads.) Rec kayaks are very stable craft, so you are less likely to capsize, but if you do, things can get very difficult very quickly if they lack bow or stern floatation. (Google "kayak" and "Cleopatra's needle.")
Quote from MaxineM on September 26, 2022, 3:21 amSo, I remembered that waaaaay back in the day, I had a Flickr account, and it is still active! Here is a link to some pics I took of the Adirondacks trip:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA8Eey
So, I remembered that waaaaay back in the day, I had a Flickr account, and it is still active! Here is a link to some pics I took of the Adirondacks trip:
by nathanu