Expedition Strategy
Let's imagine that you can comfortably paddle 25 miles a day in calm water. So you wake up in the morning, and look on your map for a potential camp 25 miles away. Ideally, you want a deep bay with a narrow entry that will shelter the swell and create a calm harbor. But chances are that on an entire expedition, you may never find a perfect harbor exactly 25 miles from your previous camp. So you make a variety of choices. If there's a good harbor 15 miles away, followed by the Big Ugly, maybe it's time to take an easy day and rest those tired muscles. Or alternatively, if the wind is going to be at your back and there's a good harbor 30 miles away: Go for it!
An expedition is about analyzing the paddling conditions for the day and then basing your comfort, your safety, and even your life on your decisions. A magazine article or a teacher can impart helpful guidelines and simple rules. But the ocean is complex and chaotic and every rule has its exception. Be alert for nuances in your watery environment, remember your experiences, and constantly fine-tune your paddling techniques to match the feel of the sea.

Jon Turk is the author of Cold Oceans: Adventures in Kayak, Rowboat, and Dogsled, published by HarperCollins

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