Mike -

We actually had a discussion about how we may change next year's trip just
the other day. One of the things we talked about was filling two 5 gallon
water jugs and seeing if we can talk one of the fishermen, who have a permit
to drive on the beach, to drive the 10 gallons of water the 5 plus miles
down the beach and leave it near the appropriate milemarker. We figure
someone would take us up on it if we offfered $10.... We may give that a
try.

Only a few of us have kayaks - so it wouldn't be fair to those that don't.
The boys really enjoy the hike - it's just that with the young scouts - at
11 or 12 years old, some of them are so small that between the water and
their gear - their pack weighs close to 50% or more of their body weight.
If we can reduce the amount of water, we should be able to get closer to 1/3
of their weight.

Sandy

"Mike McCrea" wrote in message
om...
Sandy,

I've done both the hike in and paddle in many times. They each have
their own peculiar difficulties and challenges.

The bayside is very shallow in most places. While there are occasional
deepwater channels, most of the bayside along the island is less than
2 or 3 feet deep even at high tide. At low tide it can be less than 6"
(sometimes much less), which can make paddling a challenge. And of
course, when the wind blows low water bays generate some seriously
choppy conditions and not having enough water to get a full blade face
submerged just makes things more difficult.

All that said it's usually easier to paddle in than hike in. Have you
thought about having a couple of canoes with a few of the
stronger/more experienced scouts and a trip leader paddle some canoes
in and meet the hikers at Pine Tree. The canoes could be your water
barges.

And perhaps a different subset of Scout paddlers could trade places
and do the paddle out.

Just a thought...


"Sandy K." wrote in message
...
Mike -

Thanks for the trip report. Each November I take a group of Boy Scouts
from
NJ on a backpacking trip to Asseteague to hike to the Pine Tree site.
I've
always wondered what it would be like to paddle in. Sounds better than
hiking in with full gear and water - only problem is with a bunch of
young
scouts, I'd be too worried about their paddling amd swimming abilities.
Thanks for sharing your experience.

Sandy K.