A perfect campfire is possible

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Aside from a beautiful sunset paddle on Pushaw Lake Thursday evening, the past week or so has found me on hot and humid land. A great mini-family reunion in Milbridge and a few chores last weekend kept me high and dry.

With all this sticky heat of late I’ve not felt like doing much in the exercise department. Walking the dog up the street and back was about it. Come the weekend I was feeling a bit guilty.

And a bit envious after receiving the following press release from Angela Tucker at Hunter Public Relations who sent along the following.

Bon campetit!

“Ever wondered how to build the perfect campfire, what pairs well with the fresh catch of the day, or how to adapt your favorite home-cooked meal to nature’s stovetop – the campfire? This Labor Day, a panel of culinary and camping experts and Redwood Creek Winemaker, Cal Dennison, are standing by to help you prepare a gourmet meal in the great outdoors.

“To create a memorable meal this Labor Day, outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to call the toll-free Redwood Creek Campfire Cooking Tips Hotline, available Sept. 15 by dialing 1-877-MTN-MEAL. During peak hours, experienced ‘cast-iron’ chefs will provide cooking tips, unique recipe suggestions -such as Campfire Braised Pears, or Sweet Onion, Apple and Bratwurst Chili – and wine pairing recommendations!

“For those who find themselves wondering what they may be forgetting to pack in the wee-hours of the morning, the hotline will offer recorded suggestions during non-operator hours. These tips include: unique recipes, campfire safety tips, space and timesaving tips and a checklist for camp-side cooking essentials.”

There you go. Think about something to stump the experts.

Dress for success

While I didn’t get out I did get a few minutes to check out the Kokatat Web site. Kokatat makes a line of fine paddling gear. I think I got sidetracked while reading the weekly Paddling.net newsletter. Anyway I came across something about dressing properly for paddling that is valuable albeit hard to practice at all times, especially in these wicked hot days.

The article is called “Dress for the swim, not for the weather.” It admonishes, “The days of a rubber raincoat over jeans and a T-shirt are gone for one simple reason: they don’t work. You’ll be safer, more comfortable and have more fun on the water if you have the right clothing for each paddling scenario.”

It goes on to say that “What you wear on the water is dictated largely by common sense, but other factors, such as changes in the weather, injuries, or your ability to keep a level head in a crisis have a tendency to complicate the best-conceived plans. We highly recommend that you dress for the water temperature; a few minutes in cold water will steal more heat from your body than hours of exposure to cold air.

“Considering possible paddling scenarios before purchasing your first paddling garments will help you make a better choice. The location, duration and intensity of your trips should also play a part in the decision-making process. For example, a solo paddler tackling Alaska’s Inland Passage will have significantly different requirements than a couple going out for a bird watching session on the local estuary or a group of white water enthusiasts gearing up to paddle Class V spring runoff.

“Talking with friends who paddle, instructors, outfitters or other experts like your local Kokatat dealer, will be a great help during the decision-making process. A realistic assessment of your own level of expertise is critical. Attending classes offered by professional instructors is the best way to improve your skills in the shortest amount of time; they can raise the level of awareness of any paddler. As water sports have become more popular, the number of books and magazines available has increased; these offer guidance as well.”

What makes dressing for the water temperature here in Maine difficult, especially during these really hot periods, is that the water temperature is in the 50s while the air may be in the 80s and 90s. If you put on enough clothing to ward off immersion in 55-degree water you’ll likely overheat while paddling.

That makes self- or partner-rescue skills important. If you can self-rescue after a capsize (or if you can roll) in just a few minutes, you’ll be OK in less clothing.

But keep in mind you’ll lose heat fast when you get immersed in cold ocean water.

Here’s the ways your body chills.

Radiation – heat flows from warmer to cooler objects. Your skin is often warmer than the air so you lose heat when your skin is exposed. With the right clothing covering your body and a hat, Kokatat advises, you’ll be more comfortable.

You also chill by convection. As you move or the environment around you does (like the wind) you will lose heat faster. Windproof garments cut convective heat loss.

Another way to lose heat is through conduction. You chill when something cold comes in contact with your body – like cold ocean water. And the rate of heat loss is 32 times faster than if it was cold air at the same temperature. Insulation helps you manage heat loss through conduction.

And evaporation – sweat -helps you chill or it can chill you. Even though it may be cool outside, you generate heat as you exercise. Managing that moisture with a good system of moisture-wicking materials is essential to staying comfortable. Cotton holds moisture and is generally considered a no-no on the ocean.

A checklist or two for you

While I was rooting around on Paddling.net I also came across a couple of checklists for paddlers and felt obliged to pass them along. You can customize them for your own needs. I find that as I get older, checklists are handy items to have, just in case.

Here’s a list of items for your boat: flotation bags, spray skirt, paddle, pfd, spare paddle – breakdown, paddle leash, paddle float, sea tow bag, bilge pump/sponge, whistle, knife, strobe light, radio, deck compass, maps/map case, cash and vehicle keys for shuttle, dry bag, sun glasses.

For clothing here’s a good list: touring jacket, rash guard shirt, poly-pro shirt, poly-pro pants, wet shoes/neoprene booties, wet socks, helmet liner, neoprene shirt, neoprene pants, neoprene shorts, gloves, shorts, T-shirts, hats, swimsuits, river sandals

And here’s a list for your kitchen: stoves, propane/fuel containers, matches/lighters, pots and pans, skillets/griddles, cooking utensils, eating utensils, plates, bowls, cups, coffee pot/press, strainer, salt and pepper, spices, trash bags, zip-lock bags – various sizes, paper towels/hand towels, aluminum foil, hot pot holders/gloves, charcoal briquettes, charcoal starter, briquette tongs, collapsible sink, dish soap, household bleach, dish washing tools, cooler, cooler pads, kitchen box, hand sanitizer.

Canoeing opportunity

Here’s an opportunity to join a group of people for a sunset/moonlight canoeing paddle. On Wednesday, you’ll have the chance to float along the serene lake shore of Fields Pond at night as the waning day becomes the moonlit night. You can bring your own canoe or kayak, or rent a canoe from the Audubon’s Fields Pond Nature Center. The cost is $5 per person with your own canoe or kayak; $10 per rental canoe including paddles and lifejackets if needed. Preregistration is required. Preregister early as space is limited.

Meet at the Fields Pond Nature Center in Holden by 7 p.m. sharp to car pool. Heavy rain would cancel the trip, and your payment would be refunded.

Trip size is limited, so register early by calling FPNC at 989-2591.

Jeff Strout’s column on outdoor recreation is published each Saturday. He can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net.