Allegheny Mountains Fall WeekendParticipant Information Sheet WelcomeThanks for registering for the Allegheny Mountains Fall Weekend. This 2-day, 24-mile trip will take you into the heart ofPennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest. We’ll begin at Elijah Run Boat Launch (just east of Warren, PA) and paddle across the Kinzua Reservoir, a 20,000 acre lake which collects the waters of the Allegheny River above the Kinzua Dam. Our journey will include one night of primitive camping (pit toilets, but no running water) in the Allegheny National Forest. ItinerarySaturday

● 10am – Participants arrive and meet at Elijah Run Boat Launch.● 10am-11:00am – Introductions, weather and safety briefing, pack up and head out● 12:30pm – Lunch● 4pm – Arrive at campsite (approximately 8 miles). Set up camp. Optional side hikes, paddle, or rest and relax● 6pm – Dinner● 8pm – Optional night paddle

Sunday

● 8am – Breakfast, break camp, pack kayaks.● 9:30am – Paddle● 12:30pm – Lunch● 4pm – Return to Elijah Run

Meeting Location and Directions Our journey will begin at the Elijah Run Boat Launch, located in the Allegheny National Forest.Elijah Run is easily accessed from major highways. For a Google Map to this location, go to: http://g.co/maps/vj9sw

● From Cleveland, head east on I-90 to Erie, PA. (approx 90 miles)● Take exit 37 to I-86 East to Jamestown, NY (approx 35 miles)● Take exit 12 to NY-60 south towards Jamestown ● Follow NY-60 S to US 62-S.● Follow US 62-S to US 6 East (turn left on 6)● Veer left onto PA-59 E / Kinzua Road● Turn right on Long House Scenic Drive (Forest Service Road 262). NOTE: This will come just after the Kinzua Dam and just before the large

bridge across the Kinzua Reservoir. If you cross the bridge, you’ve gone too far.● Head south on FSR 262 for approximately 4.5 miles to the Elijah Run Boat Launch.

MenuAll meals include vegetarian options. Please let us know if you have any other specific dietary needs. In addition to the mealsbelow, we’ll bring plenty of snacks and sweets, and coffee, cocoa, and assorted teas. Saturday• Lunch: Hummus, pita, fruit, snack bars• Dinner: Quesadillas with pinto beans; fresh citrus salsa; rice; Nutella s’mores Sunday• Breakfast: Oatmeal; fruit; coffee, tea, cocoa.• Lunch: Flatbreads, peanut butter, honey, sunflower seeds, snack bars. What to Wear and BringSee attached list. If you need to rent a tent, please let us know. We have a limited # of rental tents available. If you have anyquestions about the appropriateness of your gear, please don’t hesitate to contact us. FormsAttached is a 41 North waiver and a 41 North Participant Medical Information FormPlease complete all forms PRIOR to the trip and bring them with you on the trip.

Staying Comfortable The best strategy for staying

comfortable is to layer clothing for warmth, peeling off and adding layers as needed to

regulate body temperature during periods of high or low activity.

Avoid Cotton!

Cotton does not insulate well when dry and not at all when wet. Cotton also dries very slowly (if at all). Therefore it is dangerous to

rely on cotton clothing in any wilderness setting. Synthetics

fabrics (nylon, polyester, capilene or polypropylene), in addition to

wool and silk, are preferred.

What to Bring on a 41° North Sea Kayaking Trip

Trip Specifics:

Destination: Allegheny Reservoir -- Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania Duration: 2 days/1 nights Avg. Temp.: Cool. Expect highs in the mid-60s, lows in the mid-40s, but check weather for Warren, PA before you pack! We will provide (unless you have specified that you are bringing your own items)

• Sea kayaks

• Kayaking gear (paddle, PFD, sprayskirt, etc.)

• Safety equipment and all group gear (first aid kits, etc.)

• All meals and snacks

• Cooking and cleanup equipment (stoves, fuel, cookware, plates, utensils) • Some dry bags (for group gear)

• Permits / user fees You must bring: Waiver & Medical Form

Gear ______ A warm but lightweight sleeping bag rated for temps to at least 30°F. Mummy bags are preferable. Line the

sleeping bag’s stuff sack with a garbage bag (on the inside) to keep your sleeping bag dry. ______ A sleeping pad (e.g., a Ridge-Rest or Therm-a-Rest pad) ______ Lightweight backpacking tent (no larger than 2-3 man tent) with a full coverage rain-fly. ______ 1 qt. water bottle or bladder. Fill before leaving for the trip. ______ Small waterproof flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries (2-AA size is ideal. We recommend LED flashlights as

they have a much longer battery burn-time.) ______ Dry bags for personal gear. Choose several smaller bags rather than one large one to make it easier to pack.

Waterproof nylon bags (not PVC) are recommended as they are more flexible and easier to slide into the kayaks. Alternatively, you can pack items in Ziploc bags and put them in stuff sacks.

Clothing ______ A broad-billed hat (for sun protection of head, ears, face, and neck) ______ A wool or polypropylene winter hat ______ Sunglasses (preferably polarized glasses, which will protect eyes from

wind, cut the glare on water and allow you to see below the surface) & “croakies.”

______ Rain gear (waterproof/breathable preferred – this is no place to cut costs!) ______ Windbreaker shell (may use raingear) ______ 1 fleece pullover ______ 2 lightweight long sleeved (non-cotton) shirts ______ 2 short sleeved T-shirts (polyester or polypropelene) for your base layer. ______ 2 pair thermal underwear tops/bottoms (silk, Capilene, polypro) – one for

layering while paddling, another for camp/sleeping in. ______ 3 pairs of wool, poly, or pile socks (no cotton!) ______ 1 pair of long pants (nylon, not cotton) ______ 1-2 pairs of quick-dry shorts ______ Paddling shoes (water sandals, neoprene booties, Tevas, etc.) ______ Camp shoes/light hikers (should be comfortable for wear around camp,

but light and packable) ______ Optional: dry-top, paddling jacket, wetsuit, booties for paddling in…

Personal Items ______ Insect repellant ______ Sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) ______ Lipbalm (preferably one with an SPF rating) ______ Personal toiletries and any personal medications

You may want to bring:

______ Binoculars ______ Field guides (bird identification books, etc.) ______ Extra plastic bags (to separate wet from dry gear, etc.) ______ Camera and film (waterproof one-time use cameras are a good choice) ______ Clean, dry set of clothes for the drive home. ______ Packable fishing equipment (PA Fishing License Required) ______ A small packable camp chair (e.g., Crazy Creek or Therm-a-Rester) ______ Cell Phone in dry case or dry bag.

Packing for a Trip by Sea Kayak by Steve Braden

Overview Here are some suggestions for packing personal gear, food and water in your sea kayak for your upcoming trip. These suggestions are based on my experience as a sea kayak guide and trip leader and, before that, a backpacker. It is not exhaustive, so if you have any questions, please contact 41º North. Frame of Mind You should think like a backpacker. So, ask yourself if you really need everything you are planning to bring. Some pre-trip sorting—and even a couple of practice tries at packing your boat—will do a lot to help convince you that the small, lightweight backpacking tent is a great idea but the beach umbrella should probably stay at home. Packing Basics There is plenty of room in the kayak for everything you will need, but only if you pack intelligently. The fundamental principle of packing a kayak is this: Pack so as to keep the weight low and near the center of the kayak. Lighter items should be placed high and closer to the ends if possible. The weight should be evenly distributed for the proper “trim”—that is, so that the boat sits evenly in the water, not bow heavy and not stern heavy. There are two basic considerations for every item you take with you—weight and volume. The two are related but different. For example, some sleeping bags may not weigh much but are too bulky to fit in the storage compartments; other items like a water bag or fuel can are dense and heavy but take up little room. In general, people have more trouble with volume than weight—that is, the kayak would easily handle the weight of what they want to carry, but it is too bulky to fit in the kayak. Sometimes, objects are too bulky to fit through the hatches, which are relatively small (around 8” x 10” on average). Even though a kayak can handle a surprising amount of weight, you should not add weight unnecessarily. Again, you should approach packing your kayak as a backpacker might, eliminating unnecessary items and opting for lighter over heavier gear that accomplishes the same purpose. Remember, the more weight you carry, the more weight you have to push forward with each stroke of your paddle. More weight is more work. Dry Bags Everything should be packed in small- or medium-sized dry bags. If you are new to sea kayaking and haven’t yet invested in dry bags, you can use freezer size zip-locks (be sure to get all the air out before closing) stored in nylon or mesh bags. If you put your gear in one or two large trash bags or dry bags, it will not fit into the kayak! There are several benefits to packing in several small bags: • You will easily fit everything through the hatches, and the kayak is easier to pack; • You can distribute the weight evenly for best “trim”; and, • You can thoroughly organize your gear. Organizing Your Gear A basic principal of organization is grouping “like with like”—that is, objects with a similar use or function are grouped together. So, your dry bags become a basic unit of organization in your kayak, with different bags for different uses: Stove Paraphernalia, Clothes, Snacks, Toiletries, Latrine Kit, and so on. Of course you have to remember which bag is which (dry bags in different colors and shapes helps), and some kayakers like to label their dry bags, but I tend to use labels only on large trips involving a lot of group gear. Organizing your Gear in the Kayak Day Use Items:

You will want to pack items you may need during the day close to the hatches. This category might include sunscreen, extra water, rain gear, snacks, chap-stick, and extra clothing layers (for cold weather). If your boat has a day hatch (and I recommend one!), this is a good place for these items. Other items that you will not need until camp can be packed in less accessible spaces in the boat.

Tent:

Take your tent out of its stuff bag to pack it in your kayak. Leave the poles and stakes in the stuff sack, and slide them up into the bow of the boat, followed by the tent body and fly. This allows the tent to be packed in the shape of the bow and saves space.

Sleeping Pad:

Slide your sleeping pad to one side of the skeg box (if present) and, again, push it all the way back in the stern of the boat. Use the small space left over on the other side for a small dry bag, say personal items for camp.

Sleeping Bag:

I use a lightweight synthetic fill sleeping bag most of the year on the Georgia coast, resorting to my down bag (usually) from December through February. Both will pack down in a cylindrical dry bag having a 7” diameter and a length of about 14” when closed. I offer this as a standard so you can see how yours compares; if it significantly larger, you may want to consider picking up a more compressible sleeping bag for the trip. Be sure to line your dry bag (or stuff bag) with a large plastic bag to protect your sleeping bag—especially a down bag—from moisture. Dry bags do a pretty good job, but they

are not infallible. The plastic bag is an added precaution to make sure you have a warm, dry bag to sleep in at the end of the day.

Water:

One of the more dense and heavy items you are likely to carry is water. Ideally this weight should be divided—part should be packed just forward of the front bulkhead and part should be just back of the aft bulkhead. I prefer 2.5 gallon water bags—Stearns makes a very durable one—to water bottles. On overnight trips I often carry two, one for the front compartment and one for the back. This way I can balance the weight for proper trim. The bags are flexible and, within reason, can be mashed, pressed, coaxed and squeezed into innumerable shapes, which is a big advantage over more rigid bottles. As you use the water, the bag gets smaller, leaving more room in your compartments; when empty, the bags weigh only a few ounces and are easily stored rolled or flat. If you carry plastic water bottles, you will generate a considerable amount of petroleum-based, non-biodegradable trash that is only moderately compressible, still takes up room in your boat, and must be dealt with the entire trip.

I do carry one or two Nalgene one-quart water bottles for use in camp—it’s a little easier to drink from these than from a water bag. I also carry a hydration bag on my PFD that allows hands-free hydration while I am paddling and saves my having to try to secure water bottles under my deck cords. You should have easy access to water while you are paddling; if you are using a water bottle on your deck, consider one that is equipped with a nylon bag that you can clip to your deck cords to prevent the bottle from slipping out and getting lost. Also, get in the habit of drinking a little bit of water out of the bottle before you put in; then, if the water bottle falls in the water, it won’t sink and you can retrieve it. Do not use the 5 gallon plastic water containers with the red plastic spigots! These have all the disadvantages of water bottles, none of the advantages of the water bags, and are simply too big. Also, after rugged use for a few days, they will crease and develop pin-hole leaks, oozing water into your otherwise dry compartment.

Clothing:

You will want to leave some clothing items accessible—hat, gloves, and raingear, for example. Clothing that you will only use in camp can be packed in less accessible spaces in your kayak. The best strategy is to layer clothing for warmth, peeling off layers as needed to regulate body temperature during higher activity. Lightweight, quick-dry, synthetic fabrics (in addition to wool and silk) are preferred—nylon fleece, polypro and capilene, for example. In general, cotton should be avoided. It does not insulate well when dry and not at all when wet, and it dries very slowly (if at all). Therefore, it is dangerous to rely on cotton clothing on a sea kayak trip.

On Deck:

Keep your deck as clear as possible. If you use a deck bag, choose a low profile one. Storage on the deck is not recommended since it creates extra windage and can exacerbate weather- or lee-cocking.

* * *

Steve Braden is an ACA Advanced Open Water Instructor and BCU Coach 3. He lives and works on Williamson Island, Georgia, where he is a professional sea kayak guide and freelance illustrator.

RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the 41º North Coastal Kayak Adventures, Ltd. coastal kayaking program, and related events and activities, the undersigned agrees to the following: 1. Prior to participating, I will inspect the facilities and equipment to be used, and if I believe it is unsafe, I will immediately advise a instructor, guide, aid, or other event organizer of such condition(s) and refuse to participate. 2. I acknowledge and fully understand that I will be engaging in activities that involve risk of damage to personal property or serious injury, including permanent disability and death, and severe social and economic losses which might result not only from my own actions, inactions or negligence, but the actions, inactions or negligence of others, the condition of the premises, or of any equipment used. Further, there may be other risks not known or not reasonably foreseeable at this time. 3. I assume all of the foregoing risks and accept personal responsibility for all expenses, medical or otherwise, following any such damages, injury, permanent disability, or death. 4. I release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue 41º North Coastal Kayak Adventures, Ltd., its members, officers, operators, agents, employees, volunteers, participants, affiliated clubs and organizations, and if applicable, owners and leasers of premises used to conduct the event, all of which are hereinafter referred to as “releasees”, from any and all liability to me my heirs and next of kin from any and all claims, demands, losses or damages on account of injury, including death or damage to property, caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the releasees or otherwise. 5. Ohio law shall govern this agreement, and any action against 41º North Coastal Kayak Adventures, Ltd. shall occur in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. This waiver may not be modified in any way. If any part of the waiver is determined to be invalid by operation of law, all other parts of this waiver shall remain valid and enforceable. I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGNED IT VOLUNTARILY. Participant’s Name: ______________________ Signature: _____________________ Date: __________ Address: ________________________ City: _____________________ State: ________ Zip: ________ FOR PARTICIPANTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18: In consideration of (print minor’s name) being allowed to participate in any way in the 41� North Coastal Kayak Adventures, Ltd. coastal kayaking program, and related events and activities, I further agree to hold releasees harmless for any and all claims brought by or on behalf of this Minor. Name of Parent or Guardian: ______________________ Signature: _____________________ Date: __________ Address: ________________________ City: _____________________ State: ________ Zip: ________ PHOTO RELEASE: Please initial here if you do NOT wish to grant permission to 41° North Coastal Kayak Adventures to use my photograph on its World Wide Web site or in other printed publications without further consideration. ________

Medical Contact Information for 41 North Participants Name:_____________________________________________________Age_____Sex_____HT_____WT_______ Present Adress:_______________________________________________________________________________ City:______________________________________State/Province:____________Zip/Postal Code:___________ Phone Number (H)___________________(W)__________________ In case of emergency please contact: I. Name:___________________ Phone Number:_____________________ Relationship:____________________ II. Name:__________________ Phone Number:_____________________ Relationship:____________________ Physician: Name:______________________________________ Phone Number:___________________________________ Type of Health Insurance: Company Name:______________________________________ Policy#:________________________________