1. Stand-In Point, on the western tip of North Haven, a 9 mile crossing from Camden Harbor.
2. Ocean surf on the ledges south of Hurricane Island.
3. Along the shore of Little Hurricane Island, looking north toward the White Islands.
4. Mark Island, last stop before making the 4.6 mile return crossing to Camden Harbor.
1. Sunrise over Camden Harbor: 5:22 AM.
2. Young guillemot on Robinson Rock, south of Mark Island. This guilly was surprised as I was to find the two of us in such close proximity. He seemed to take comfort in thinking that if I didn’t look at me, maybe I wasn’t really there.
3. Seals sleeping in the morning sunlight on the bouldered beach between the ledges of Robinson Rock. As soon as I saw them (well-camoflauged as they are), I backed out of the cove as quietly as I could.
4. Navigation marker at Fiddler ledge, off the western tip of North Haven.
It had been a day set aside to do some work around the house, but when the forecast came in — temps in the high 80’s, sunny skies, 5 – 15 knot breezes out of the southwest, 0 percent chance of precipitation, 1-3 foot seas — it became clear that this would be an ideal opportunity to do what I call a “one day blast.” On a summer that is going by all too quickly, this would be summer’s summer. The goal was to be on the water at dawn and off the water at sunset . . . and to see what I could see.
After having some quality map time, scoping out places I hadn’t paddled yet, and reviewing the calculus of driving time and paddling time, a destination emerged, as if from the mist, Hurricane Island, off Vinalhaven Island, in the center of Penobscot Bay. Hurricane Island looked far, even very far, for a day trip. But remember, the weather was going to be ideal, and I wanted to paddle all day.
The rest of the story soon, but in the meantime, here are the numbers and a slideshow (below):
Hurricane Island by the Numbers:
36.1 Distance of trip (in land miles).
12.75 Total time of trip in hours.
3.5 Hours of sleep before the trip.
5:15 AM. Arrived at launch site.
5:22 Time of sunrise.
4.8 Longest crossing in miles.
4 Number of crossings of that length (round trip).
3 Sets of porpoises sighted.
3 Dozens of seals sighted.
2 Other kayakers encountered.
0 Other kayakers encountered on open water.
20 Islands paddled past (apx.)
5 Islands set foot on.
196 Photos taken
4 Applications of sunscreen
1 Gallons of liquid consumed.
2450 Calories consumed
1200 Estimated calorie deficit.
8.5 Time spent paddling in hours (estimated).
3 Attempted power naps on islands.
7.3 Maximum speed (mph).
2.8 Average speed of trip (including stops).
9.5 Hours of sleep after the trip.
