Dude Counter-Dude Afloat: Touring

Camping from a canoe or kayak makes the journey as significant (and potentially pleasurable) as the destination. And some of the most scenic Natl Parks in the Mid-Atlantic encompass suprisingly accessible waterways.

Choosing A Place

Choosing a location for an extended paddle depends on accessibility, taste and to some degree skill:

Ocean paddling is extremely challenging and provides limited camping opportunities accessible to the novice. Wind, currents, open water waves and vagaries of tide require both skill and some degree of expert knowledge for trips covering more than a few miles.

Sheltered tidal areas such as the Chincoteague Bay Canoe Trail provides much of the flavor of open water, ocean paddling while omitting some (but not all) of the potenially fatal elements of the challenge.

Lakes provide paddling opportunities for a wide level of experience a

Choosing A Boat

Boats designed for extended trips typically include deck hatch access to separate water tight compartments fore and aft of the paddler's cockpit.

A reasonably high volume boat can carry a week's worth of food and gear -- although in the absence of access to fresh water this can a bit more challenging.

Because water resistant is more accurate than water-tight, gear needs to be stored in Dry and/or River Bags to protect against the cup ful of water that inevitably sneeks past the seal.

Multi-day trips can easily cover 100 miles or more, but 10-20 miles makes for a reasonable and satisfying weekend paddle.