Northeast Overland's 'Moose on the Loose' Ride

I don't recall seeing this in previous posts... I've done some research but there's certainly nothing like "ground truth."  Any timely gouge to make the trip a little more comfortable will certainly affect our load plans.

For you Mainers... what can we expect regarding weather - measurable precipitation, temperature variance?  Insects, vermin, anything along the way that ranks higher on the food chain than humanoids?  My Smallpox, Yellow Fever, and Japanese Encephalitis vaccinations are up to date and I have enough Doxycycline so I should be good to go; and I have enough Claymore mines for Steve's and my camp...

Oh - will there be lobster?  There better be flippin' lobster... I ain't driving up there over 11 hours and 700 miles and find that there ain't no flippin' lobster.  I even have to go through New Jersey...

We'll also have to bring some lobster back, I hope to pack that ARB fridge full of bugs for the family.

There is plenty of places to get your lobstah!  Id say one every town along Route 1 if you come up near that way.

I'm down with a lobster/seafood diversion. Maine seafood rocks! Had some really good meals up that way.

Maybe we should make a Lobster Roll Crawl next year. Sorta like a pub crawl, but going from lobster roll to lobster roll.

Sounds great to me!

just wanted to mention this as it might be helpful in navigating. I just found out the new update of Google Maps for iPhone has a feature that allows you to download maps for use offline. There is a size limitation on how large the downloaded map can be but I was able to download pretty much the whole area mentioned a few posts back in about 8 maps. Once the maps are downloaded you can continue to use google maps to navigate if you stay in that area, however you can't use the turn by turn directions. You can also label the different maps, such as MOTL Start, B52 crash site, Allagash Lake, etc, and pull them up specifically.

Does any one know how helpful google maps are in that area? Are any of the trails and roads we will be traveling on google maps?

Google maps are very helpful in the area. Thanks for the heads up on the update.

To be honest, guys, I've be up there several times exploring and traveling, and the best navigational tool is the DeLorme Maine Atlas.  It's $20 or less and you don't have to worry about downloads, wi-fi, cell service, 4G, 3G, power consumption, etc.  Computerized aerial photography is fancy, and I use my Garmin Nuvi to get co-ordinates, but the DeLorme is ultimately what gets me home.

Sounds good. Definitely have the DeLorme atlas, but its nice to know my phone can tell me where I am on the map at any given time even offline. A paper map can be useless if you don't know where you are on it.

booth9c1ss wrote:To be honest, guys, I've be up there several times exploring and traveling, and the best navigational tool is the DeLorme Maine Atlas.  It's $20 or less and you don't have to worry about downloads, wi-fi, cell service, 4G, 3G, power consumption, etc.  Computerized aerial photography is fancy, and I use my Garmin Nuvi to get co-ordinates, but the DeLorme is ultimately what gets me home.

I posted this already but the sale is still going on -- Delorme is having that atlas & gazetteer sale again 50% off.
Use coupon code 10071 at checkout!

Ends 6/10.

I like having the redundancies... atlas, tablet/ phone GPS, Rich/Amy.... emphasis on the latter.  Rich spotted a good deal on the alas, however, I bought mine off Amazon for 15 shipped.

As for bugs... they are out in force in northern NH. It gets cold enough at night that they aren't as bad, but in the dusk/ dawn periods, a bug net might be helpful

Long range forecast is too far out, but where we live, June is usually wet, comfortable at night, buggy and lovely.

WLFFGreg wrote:As for bugs... they are out in force in northern NH. It gets cold enough at night that they aren't as bad, but in the dusk/ dawn periods, a bug net might be helpful

Long range forecast is too far out, but where we live, June is usually wet, comfortable at night, buggy and lovely.

Thanks WLFFGreg. After 10 posts I just knew there was someone up there who could read.   

Yessir! Now time to go brush my tooth! Lol  

TangoBlue wrote:I don't recall seeing this in previous posts... I've done some research but there's certainly nothing like "ground truth."  Any timely gouge to make the trip a little more comfortable will certainly affect our load plans.

For you Mainers... what can we expect regarding weather - measurable precipitation, temperature variance?  Insects, vermin, anything along the way that ranks higher on the food chain than humanoids?  My Smallpox, Yellow Fever, and Japanese Encephalitis vaccinations are up to date and I have enough Doxycycline so I should be good to go; and I have enough Claymore mines for Steve's and my camp...

Oh - will there be lobster?  There better be flippin' lobster... I ain't driving up there over 11 hours and 700 miles and find that there ain't no flippin' lobster.  I even have to go through New Jersey...

Sorry for the delayed response, I often work at night, as does FJboozah. The temperature in Maine is always changing. I strongly suggest bringing a verity of clothes, as the days may be warm and the nights cold. Think of desert like temp swings. I might not be that bad but it doesn't hurt have options. Personally every time I go on an adventure I bring layers. Black fly's and mosquito's will be prevalent, they are two of the state birds after all. Wildlife will consist of Moose, Deer, Fox, Bear, and maybe Coyotes howling at night. They will mind their own business and we will have arms if not. This area is very wild and remote, and it is going to a blast for you to explore.

booth9c1ss wrote:To be honest, guys, I've be up there several times exploring and traveling, and the best navigational tool is the DeLorme Maine Atlas.  It's $20 or less and you don't have to worry about downloads, wi-fi, cell service, 4G, 3G, power consumption, etc.  Computerized aerial photography is fancy, and I use my Garmin Nuvi to get co-ordinates, but the DeLorme is ultimately what gets me home.

Steve do you have any person experience with an iPad and maps up north? I know the Atlas is a standby for a good reason, however it is pretty amazing to watch your little blue dot on your iPad tell you exactly where you are. They both have their pro's and con's, and when we do the pre run this friday/saturday we should be able and see how the different apps work up north.

bicyclemayhem wrote:Sounds good.  Definitely have the DeLorme atlas, but its nice to know my phone can tell me where I am on the map at any given time even offline.  A paper map can be useless if you don't know where you are on it.

This is one of the great things about the tablet navigation.

richcz28 wrote:I saw mention of gas stations previously.  Do folks know if they sell diesel?

Just a confirmation, Pittston Farm does NOT sell diesel, only gasoline. And delicious pie   

Well, last weekend day for prep.  Pretty excited for the event.  BUT maybe not so much for the black fly talk...  Any tips to keep them away?  Particular repelant?

So I hear these trails are pretty tame.  I put a lot of time bending tube in to armor this winter .  But I did make the rear quarter protection removable.  I drive a Cruiser 80 and thinking of leaving that setup at home if it not needed.  I know you can never tell but it adds a step to get in the rear cargo and adds about 80lbs to the rear.  I built it for some hardcore trails that I know I will need it.  
So what do you guys think?  

We will have some optional lines where the armor maybe be very helpful, it just depends if you want to tote the armor, to prevent damage or take the bypass. By the way that armor looks great on the cruiser, you did a great job of following the body lines and maintaing the cruiser style while adding armor in my opinion.

As far as the black flies, I like to use Laurie's all natural bug replant.  https://www.facebook.com/LauriesAllNaturalInsectRepellent

Ordering info....

https://www.facebook.com/LauriesAllNaturalInsectRepellent/info

That look really nice!

Most of the roads are pretty tame.  The big thing here is rig/gear reliability and the remoteness.  

Bug repellent: Something with deet.  MtnClimber and I really like deep wood OFF.  Permathin (Buzz-off, Insect+shield, etc) clothing helps a little at preventing reducing bites, but the bugs will still be orbiting around your head.  Netting further reduces your exposure, but it sticks to sweaty skin which reduces it's effectiveness.  

What's important to remember, is that no matter what you use (spray, clothing, netting, sitting on the smokey side of the campfire), you will still have bites.  They only itch for a little while and I find that if you don't scratch the bites, they stop itching after a few hours or overnight.

While I hate to recommend this, staying in the cocoon of your vehicle with the AC on creates a bug-free environment.  Some may resort to this when all else fails.

Steve

For planning / packing purposes, how many meals will be provided?

Stevesimpson6 wrote:For planning / packing purposes, how many meals will be provided?

One, on Thursday night.

MtnClimber wrote:

Stevesimpson6 wrote:For planning / packing purposes, how many meals will be provided?

One, on Thursday night.

Sweet - thank you!

For your meal planning purposes Steve and I are Kosher, lacto-intolerant, gluten and nut-free, vegans... will that be a problem?   

Thanks for the info guys.  I picked up some 40% deet today and a head net.  I usually use 20%.

I am 50/50 on bringing the quarter protection only because she is HEAVY and I need some new springs to replace the worn in OME J's.  I def want to hit some hard terrain when available.....But I have gotten pretty good at banging out those rear quarters.  Both where hammered before I sprayed on the Al's liner.  HMMM.  guess I will decide last min.

If it was me(I've been up there on this type of excursion at least 6 times) I would opt for lighter weight over protection up there.

Mr. Mike wrote:If it was me(I've been up there on this type of excursion at least 6 times) I would opt for lighter weight over protection up there.

X2 on the lighter weight vs. side armor, but been up more than twice that tho.. (   @ Mike)

Lighter weight eh?  .... Doh!  Tuesday I do a good shakedown with the FJ driving up to my camp.  I'll have my father along for the ride so hopefully I can get some videos of our 'road'.

I'm hoping 10 gallons extra fuel will be enough... I know driving the blue ridge parkway at 40mph towing the trailer, I got 16mpg, and that baby is hilly! It's also not a big departure from my normal 17.5 without a trailer!

As I understand it, we get to fill up Friday, and have about 200 miles until Sundays gas spot?  With 30 gallons total, I just need to average about 7mpg... this camp test will give me a pretty accurate reading I suspect.