What it Takes for an Early-Season Kayak Camping Trip

Solo kayak camping in cold weather? With snow in the forecast and temps dropping to well below freezing, I head out for an early-season overnight on Pond Cove Island in Downeast Maine. This trip isn’t about extreme adventure—it’s about smart preparation, stretching my comfort zone, and learning to trust my experience.

From launch to camp setup, island exploration to snowy paddle out, this episode blends kayak camping strategy, camping tips, gear insights, and quiet moments in amazing wild places.

Along the way, I share a powerful mindset shift for anyone who overplans, overpacks, or second-guesses themselves in the outdoors (or in life). I’ll share cold-weather kayaking tips, camping gear that worked, how I evaluate risk vs. reward, and what it means to grow confidence one trip at a time.

Here is a link to my Roque Island episode:    • The Essence of Kayaking and Exploring Roqu...  

CHAPTERS
00:00 Setting Out on a Cold Spring Day
00:46 Englishman Bay, Roque Bluffs, Maine
01:49 An Interesting Discovery
03:04 A Change in Mindset
05:51 Cold Fingers on Little Ram Island
06:52 Managing 200 Seagulls
08:27 Pond Cove Island Camp
10:41 Logging on the Island
11:32 Comfort, Stretch, and Panic Zones
13:05 Gear Decisions I Made
14:02 Dinner, Stove Repair, and Time Around Camp
16:24 Benefits of Cold Weather Camping and Evening Reflections
19:36 Cold Morning and my Sleeping Bag System
20:33 Making Sure the Coast Guard Isn't Searching for Me
22:16 Looking for Love
23:02 Exploring Pond Cove Island
24:17 Thwarted Plans
26:26 The Worst Part of the Trip & Closing Thoughts

Explore More:
🌐 Website: www.seesteveseakayak.com
🛶 Full Gear List: www.seesteveseakayak.com/gear-list
📬 Contact Me: www.seesteveseakayak.com/contact