Packing for a Solo Canoe Trip

Packing for a Solo Canoe Trip

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Have you have ever considered taking a solo canoe on a wilderness camping trip? I find a sense of peace while paddling a pristine wilderness lake, solo, that is hard to describe.

Traveling in a solo canoe does not necessarily mean traveling alone. If you have a favorite canoeing partner, you will be amazed at how your enjoyment will increase when you can paddle side by side.

Planning and preparing for your first solo wilderness trip can make the difference between the trip of your life or the week from hell you will never forget. If you start with what is essential, plan carefully, and keep in mind the constraints of travelling in a small craft, I guarantee you will be delighted with the experience.

THE ESSENTIALS

* the canoe
* a suitable yoke
* paddles
* a life vest
* first aid supplies
* food and cooking gear
* clothing and rain gear
* sleeping bag
* tent
* packs
* maps and permits

CANOES -- there are many solo canoes available now that combine carrying capacity with fast maneuverable hulls and total weights of 40 to 50 lbs.

I don't hesitate to take my solo canoe on trips requiring 20 days or more of gear, and I am not a light person. If you don't have access to a solo canoe, outfitters are renting them now. Look for a boat designed to carry a paddler and gear. Many solo models are designed to carry only the weight of the paddler.

Wilderness trippers should have adequate canoeing skills to control their craft in wind and rough water, but I have seen relative beginners perform well in all but the roughest conditions.

YOKES are a tricky item for the solo paddler, to comfortably carry the boat, the yoke needs to be almost exactly where you need to sit when you are in the boat. As a result, there are a variety of removable yokes on the market, which one you select depends largely on your canoe.

PADDLES -- I always take two paddles. I have only broken one paddle on a wilderness trip, but the prospect of carving one out of a dead log is enough to convince me to carry a spare. Besides it is fun to try experiment with two different styles of paddle. Bent shaft paddles work best for solo canoeing, but almost anything will work as a spare.

LIFE VEST -- Take an approved PFD (personal flotation device) for every person. Be realistic, if you are prone to trying that white water run before you leave the portage select your life vest accordingly, and use it. It won't help you laying in the bottom of your boat, and help can be a long ways away.

FIRST AID -- Make sure that you pack an adequate first aid kit and know how to use it. If you are unfamiliar with backwoods first aid bring a good reference book, and read it before you select your first aid kit. It may well become the most important piece of gear on the trip. but I hope you never need it. Be sure to include sun screen and insect repellent.

FOOD AND COOKING GEAR -- how you select and pack it is up to you. I find the packaged varieties of dehydrated food universally distasteful. With a little imagination you can outfit a lengthy trip in any grocery store. If you invest in a food dehydrator you can create inexpensive, wholesome trail food to your own specifications.

While many consider it just extra weight, I consider a small camp stove and fuel essential. The stove makes cleaning cooking gear much easier and many models allow greater control of the flame which allows you to simmer, bake pan bread and keep things warm while you finish tying your lure on. You will definitely be glad for the stove if the Forest Service institutes a fire ban, during your stay. In any case, leave your axe, hatchet and saw at home. A water filter is necessary to protect against giardia. Always follow forest service guidelines when washing dishes or cleaning fish.

CLOTHING, RAIN GEAR -- When selecting clothing choose garments that dry quickly, remember that white water run? Select clothes that can be layered to adjust to changing weather conditions. A good synthetic shell weighs practically nothing but can make the difference between being miserable or comfortable on a chilly, damp morning. Take boots that will provide support on rugged portage trails and tennis shoes for comfortable spare and a dry pair of shoes. There is something heavenly about changing in to dry clothes after a day spent travelling in the rain. Putting on wet boots can ruin the whole effect.

SLEEPING BAG -- Obviously your choice of a sleeping bag will depend on the season. I recommend a synthetic bag. Down and cotton both become ineffective when wet, a real possibility in canoe camping. Take a light weight insulated pad.

TENT -- Any light weight backpacking tent will work perfectly for canoe camping.

PACKS -- Now that we have all of this stuff we have to figure out how to carry it. When selecting a pack keep in mind that you are solo canoeing. You will be storing your gear in the bow and stern of the boat, not the extra wide middle. That part of a solo canoe is reserved for your extra wide seat. Frame packs are great when backpacking in the Sierras, but are clumsy in a canoe. I use "portage packs" for food and cook gear and a large "day pack" for my personal gear.

MAPS, COMPASS AND PERMITS -- Take good quality maps and know how to use them. Plan your trip and ask knowledegebable people what types of conditions you might encounter. If travelling alone, always leave a trip itinerary with someone who can contact the authorities if you are late returning.

MISCELLANEOUS ESSENTIALS -- I carry a bag with miscellaneous items such as a needle and thread, spare eyeglasses, tape to repair clothing and tents, some strong all purpose adhesive, waterproof matches, and just about every little item I have ever lost or broke once and had to do without, but probably will never need again. Take some duct tape or other strong waterproof tape. Believe me you are likely to find a use for it, I have even repaired holes in canoes with it. Carry a small but bright flashlight. You will need good strong rope to hang your food packs.

NON-ESSENTIALS

FISHING GEAR -- I would of course never go on a canoe trip without my fishing gear, but leave your tackle box at home. Select a few good lures and carry them in a ziplock or a soft pack. If you have never fished with them, try a few soft plastic jigs. Learn to land your fish by hand and forget about carrying a net.

BOOKS, CARDS AND GAMES -- A good paperback will make an afternoon with driving rain and hail pass much more quickly. Cards and backpacking games are handy if you have a companion.

CAMERA AND FILM -- It is always nice to have a few photos to look back on.

PACKING -- Pack everything assuming that your packs will become watersoaked. A stuff sack inside of a water repellent pack will keep the contents very dry. Ziplocks work well for small items, not only do they stay dry but they help you organize your gear. When I set up camp I toss my stuff sack containing all of my dry clothes into the tent. Many a morning I have been grateful to have it when I realize the temperature dropped 30 degrees during the night. Pack food canvass portage type packs. I use heavy garbage bags as a liner to keep it dry. Pack your cook gear with your food. You don't want your personal gear smelling like food in bear country.

Pack everything at least twice. It seems like each time you pack you are able to become a little more organized and efficient. Think about the practical use of your gear. You will want rain gear and other items you need to get a hold of quickly accessible to you while you are in your canoe.

Think about portaging when you pack. A small personal pack or portage pack can be carried with a canoe. something that is difficult with frame packs, both internal and external. Get everything in or tied on to your packs, loose gear has to be carried across the portage by hand. Remember, if you take the portage once you walk it once. If you have to make two trips on a portage you walk it three times. If you think you will have to make more that two trips on the portage you are carrying too much gear.

The best advice I can offer is to plan well before your trip, so that you can relax and enjoy yourself during the trip.