how to pack a canoe for a river trip

What to Look For in a Canoe Trip Pack. Because of their lack of cockpit to carry on your shoulder, sit-on-top kayaks can be tricky to portage. Essential Packing and Gear list for a canoe trip on the Allagash River! Load the boat. Lifetime membership is just $20. Everyone should carry what they are responsible for and not leave stuff behind. Posted in Canoes, Guide, How to, Interesting, Outdoors. Heavy plastic bags of 4 mil work well, (so does a big dry bag of course)… a plastic garbage bag is going to be a disappointing, fragile alternative to a quality, dedicated pack liner. Step 2: portage your kayak. We will provide you with a large, waterproof river bag (115L or 30 gal.) We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938.Read our story, Join the REI Co-op community to get an annual dividend, access exclusives and give back. This would be what canoe country guide and educator Cliff Jacobson calls a “belt and suspenders” method: Double bagging a canoe pack. More information on this carry style can be found via piragis.com, Packing a Canoe Pack Version 2: Double-barrel Dry Bags. Loading a tent and sleeping bag in the car they can do. Emergency equipment, communications, rain gear, cameras, daytime snacks, and other grab-on-the-go stuff should be kept accessible, either on the top of a canoe pack just beneath the lid, or in a day pack like the Nessmuk, Cliff Jacobson or a Summit. Warm weather/water (>60°F) Swimwear or shorts or convertible pants No metal frame. ; in other words, the soft things. We recommend packing this gear in your hull, directly behind your seat or as close to your feet as you can if loading from the front. Let one of these burly packs make it a bit easier by lowering the number of trips you have to make across the portage. But many men seem to find the idea of planning and executing a canoe trip intimidating. Read What to Wear Kayaking for an overview.. Whitewater Canoe outfitted with knee pads and thigh straps In this video she shows you how to pack personal clothes and keep them dry. Ideal canoe trip food is lightweight, non-perishable, simple to prepare, and compact. Portage trails are a lot less work if you’re organized, packed well, and carry a positive attitude along with your trusty canoe pack. Before you pack, find out what you’ve got with a gear explosion: The gear explosion is vital. The first thing to know about pack­ing for a canoe day trip is that missed take­out points, “Oh-let’s‑just-go-around-the-next-bend,” poor weath­er, injury, etc. Some folks concentrate all their food in one pack, sleeping gear in another and kitchen gear into another, like our Camp Cook’s Kitchen. hap­pen all the time so bring some emer­gency sup­plies in case. Step two of the gear explosion is to play Tetris. Start by clearing out a large space and laying out everything you plan on bringing plus all of the packs you’re considering to carry it. You can also take an extra foldable bag where you can put your wet clothes if needed. If you load the sealed pack to create a flat top, you can wear one pack and stack the second pack on top of the first. Cliff goes on to advocate for a horizontal pack method, where long gear like sleeping bags, tents and sleeping bags parallel the top and bottom of the bag. Concentrate the weight of the pack as close to the back as possible, and not on the very top or very bottom of the pack. Introduce a friend to the woods, practice leave no trace camping, and get out into quiet, natural places whenever possible. Packing a Canoe Pack Version 1: Cliff’s Way. Items below are in-boat wear; adjust according to anticipated air and water temperatures. Dry Bags. Gear packing list, recommended gear lists, whitewater trip check list. I just got back from a 20-day canoe trip that circumnavigated Algonquin Provincial Park in central Ontario. Clip onto the overturned canoe with a couple or 3 throw bags clipped together, paddle to shore downstream and pendulum the boat to shore. don’t bring too much stuff, get it organized, and make it waterproof. All that waterproofing is lost if your stuff escapes from an open pack. Pack as close to the water as possible so you won't have to drag a heavy boat to the launch. Note: Dress for the water temp, not the air temp—a capsize (and hypothermia) can happen suddenly; avoid cotton, which will chill you; quick-drying clothing is a must. That way one pack gets sealed and left alone during the day. That being said, you will pri­mar­i­ly be pack­ing for a one-day trip, so let’s get to it. If everything goes in a pack it reduces chances to lose items. Keep heavier objects as centered and close to the back of the pack as possible and be careful not to place hard or lumpy objects between the dry bags and your back. But heading down a river into the wilderness seems a bit more daunting. Seek out voids between layers and along the edges, fill ‘em with small items. Pack liners and dry bags help gear secured, and protected, help keep a pack buoyant, and offer double insurance to keep your gear dry. !… A giant empty bag vs. a mountain of gear can be intimating. Paddle (1 per paddler) Extra paddle. If you’re packing for an overnight canoe trip, the basic principles and equipment list are much the same as what is needed for a canoe day trip on the river. Use one big heavy-duty plastic bag or dry sack for all contents, and pack all the individual contents inside into smaller plastic bags or dry bags. Preparation is key to a successful canoe trip on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway There are no stores or cell service along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway so if you don't bring it, you'll need to get by without it. By now I’ve convinced you that a canoe trip is in your future. 7. Your goal is to fit all your gear into your packs so you only have to walk each portage once. What to pack your stuff in and how to deal with bulk. Please don’t try to hold us responsible if you aren't physically up for the job. Use one big heavy-duty plastic bag or dry sack for all contents, and pack all the individual contents inside into smaller plastic bags or dry bags. Keep the boat “ship shape”. You pick the dry bag or the plastic jar you need for that day and that's it. The newletter sign-up system is currently down for maintenance. After removing all cardboard boxes, you have two options for packing your meals: a) by day b) by type of meal. If you do this, keep the lunch and snack bags easily accessible during the day and be sure to not contaminate the tent, sleeping gear or clothing with food scent. All this wet, messy gear can be isolated to keep other gear dry and clean. Packing a Canoe Pack Version 1: Cliff’s Way This would be what canoe country guide and educator Cliff Jacobson calls a “belt and suspenders” method: Double bagging a canoe pack. Learn more and join us, Earn a $100 REI Gift Card when you apply, get approved and make any purchase within 60 days of card approval.Details, Mon–Fri, 5am–10pm PT Sat–Sun, 6am–9pm PT. between the dry bags and the backstrap side of the pack to make it a bit more comfortable. Pack light bags and gear at the ends of bow and stern. If space is an issue, consider breaking up the tent, rain fly, and poles to stow individually. The other pack contains snacks, water, a filter, sunscreen, fishing tackle, and gets regular use throughout a day’s paddle. Tent. Step 1: portage all your drybags and gear. Have a spot for all your gear, and get it set before you leave on a portage. Bonus: take a #gearshot of all your stuff! However, care needs to be taken regarding the big main opening in case of a capsize. Place your pack liner or gear in dry bags into the pack. If you pack your heaviest items on the deck of the kayak, this could jeopardize the stability of the kayak and ultimately increase the chance of you capsizing. Penning a checklist is the best way to start deciding what … The method used to load up your gear depends a lot on the style of pack used. 1910 W. Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55806 USA. The cheap slip-on things and flip-flops just don’t cut it when it comes to walking … So now you’ve got all the gear, how do you fit it in the boat? However the virgin voyage can be a bit overwhelming. Next, fill in the voids around the dry bags with all the extra gear, keeping the dry bag cylinders upright as you pack larger pieces of other gear next, and work toward the smaller things. A medium-sized dry bag is excellent for storing a single person’s personal clothing and sleeping gear for a canoe trip. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. 293 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, Personal flotation device (1 per paddler), Signaling devices (whistle, mirror, flares), Emergency floating throw line (with throw bag), Trip itinerary left with friend + under car seat, Sun-shielding shirt (long sleeves) and pants, Spray jacket or rainwear (jacket and pants), Synthetic vest or jacket (for insulation). Personal gear lists will vary based on seasons, location, type of trip (flat or whitewater) and duration. Canoe. Yes, waxed canvas is highly water resistant, and does a great job keeping contents dry from rain and shielded from the sloshing water in the bottom of a boat. In a perfect portaging world, paddles and fishing poles would be the only items to get hand carried. Our canoe packs are large enough to fit a complete set of well-chosen canoe camp gear and allow you to haul it over necessary overland canoe-country portages. and then put one of each bag into various canoe packs. If you’re going to be canoeing every day, you’re going to be burning a lot more energy than you may be used to, which means you’re going to be hungry. Here is a sample list I provide my canoe guests when packing for a typical week-long canoe trip. Centennial Canoe co-owner, Julie Gumper, shows you how to pack for a river trip. More heavy-duty than most hiking packs, the shorter height of a canoe pack makes it easier to carry a canoe and a pack at the same time. Recent, highly-technical sleeping pads fit nicely as well, but if you’ve got more traditional foam or self-inflating pads, they fit in with the scheme too, just not in the dry bag itself. Long-sleeves help prevent sunburn. Always assume your gear will get wet. Waterproof Packing. With all of the packs laid out and all the gear that needs to go into them in one spot, you can begin to determine what will go into each pack. Canoe packs are “must-have” items for canoe trips with portages. Stack contents inside as the pack is laying down, and fill the space, like loading a shelf. When everything you bring on your canoe trip has to fit in the canoe(s), you need them as packable as possible. Once you’ve got a medium dry bag packed, it will take up roughly 1/2 of a standard canoe pack like the Old No. Place them lengthwise into the pack, with the bottoms down in the bottom of the pack, close to the corners, and the dry bag handles toward the top, making two vertical columns. This system is easier than a pack on the front on rooty, rocky ground because you can see where you’re going. 'La joie du travail!' and packability/texture/softness. What to Take on the Canoe-Camping Trip. This method encourages a flat back and puts a different perspective on the whole experience. There is one universal truth in packing a canoe pack: everyone will have their own style, opinions and hard-earned lessons. See our Backpacking, Camping, or Day Hiking checklists for additional options. Consider carrying two medium packs rather than one giant pack. But it … I covered group dynamic info and route planning in a previous article , but for this one I want to highlight another challenging part for lengthy trips - packing light enough for my canoe… Keep rain gear handy at the top of a pack. To that end, it can be very effective to group the food into different meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, whiskey etc.) Canoe camping opens up many more places for you to go camping as long as you prepare properly. Put light, bulky items like sleeping bags and sleeping pads in the very front and back of the boat. Our comprehensive checklist includes required and optional gear, clothing, accessories and more. Use many small dry bags instead of a few large dry bags. French 'The joy of work. The river trip is an underestimated, yet highly rewarding experience. To that end, we’ve picked a couple of our favorites. Get out and experience it as much as you can. Finally, how to pack for a trip. This lets the pack adjust to the curve of your back. What to pack, from how much food and water to bring, what gear and clothing to haul along, can be intimidating—and, of course, space is limited. I won’t go into too much detail on what to pack, because I have an entire post dedicated to packing for a canoe trip, but I’ll call out a few specific items you’ll want for paddling the Petawawa.. Canoe Gear. | fun things to bring on a float trip | how to secure gear in a canoe | best things to take on a canoe trip | how to keep sleeping bag dry on canoe trip | tips for canoeing in the rain Load items tightly so they won't shift and become unbalanced as you go. River Clothes: For your daytime river outfit, you’ll want quick-drying clothes so that you don’t feel soggy all day. Keep it centralized and you’ll be golden! Keep weight distribution even from bow to stern and side to side. Whatever your reason for committing to a river adventure, you’ve made a fantastic decision. Canoe Trip Personal Gear List (7 days, Spring, summer and fall) Dry Bag for your personal clothing and sleeping bag (115 liter) Packing a Canoe Pack Version 3: TableTop Method. Does it need to stay dry or can it get wet?) This method resembles the feel of an external frame pack when complete and generally makes for a very solid, stable pack that’s surprisingly comfortable. and a smaller water proof bag (20L or 5 gal.) to be used as a day bag for quick access to items you may need during the day. Petawawa River Packing List. Keep packs buckled down and secured when on the move. You’re bringing life-sustaining items out onto a lake (lakes are wet) so you’ll want to guarantee to keep your gear dry. W hile canoe trips are about enjoying the great outdoors, exploring the wilderness and challenging yourself, packing the necessary gear makes it all possible.. Before you head to the put-in, run carefully through our canoe trip packing list to make sure you have the essentials covered. As tempting as canned food might be, leave it on the grocery store shelf. Video courtesy of Canoe & Kayak Magazine/Youtube. It seems strange, but you’ll be able to pack tighter than loading from the top down. © 2021 Recreational Equipment, Inc. All rights reserved. Depending on the size of the pack and the gear, it may be incompatible with portaging a canoe at the same time if the pack gets too tall. It can help to put a soft layer (tarps work great!) Pack enough food. Lay the pack on a table or the ground, on its shoulder straps. The benefits found in wilderness for humans is very important. Have two people pack their own dry bags with this method and you’ll have two soft, firm cylinders. The gear explosion is most helpful for auditing your equipment, deciding what to bring and what not to bring, and helps you ensure that when you decide to leave your extra undies at home, you aren’t in fact leaving all your skivvies at home. General check list for overnight & multiday river trips in rafts, kayaks & canoes. Pack heavy bags and gear low and close to the cockpit. Quick Recap. However you choose to disperse your gear is fine, just remember that if you put all the heavy gear into one pack, that will be “The Heavy Pack”. Even if you don’t flip, your paddles are likely to splash a bit of water into the canoe. Arrange your gear by purpose (food, sleeping, cooking, emergency etc. From tents to tuna, duct tape to dry bags; here’s the ultimate packing list with everything you need for a wildly fun weekend canoe adventure. Some folks make each pack a potpourri of varied equipment. How helpful was this article? By day is hassle free. Wearing shorts with a lightweight long or short-sleeved shirt are great. Canoe Basics. How do I pack this thing? For an external backpack it's better to keep the weight low to help keep your balance. Get fit before a big trip, clear it with the Doc if you’re concerned, and know your limits and the capabilities of your traveling mates. Some helpful first steps…. The worst place for weight in a canoe pack is far from the back, this will make back heavy and unstable pack. One tip for how to portage a kayak solo is to portage in two steps. Stuff wet or dirty items between the pack liner and the pack: Grill top for camping in the Quetico or elsewhere that fire grates aren’t provided/mandated, wet rain gear, or that t-shirt that was still hanging on the clothes line when it started to rain. Packing should be done with a preference for comfort of carrying but with a mind toward how soon you’ll need the gear. Shorter and wider than backpacks for hiking, they’re specifically designed to fit inside canoes. River travel demands attention to thorough waterproofing of your gear. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. Pack and Food for Kayak Trip For a day trip, you need a waterproof duffle or a backpack where you can put all your essentials. Read this article to learn how to pack a canoe for a river trip. Pack it, and reduce what gets hand-carried. Carry it with the cockpit rim sitting on your shoulder. Be careful not to poke the grate through the pack liner though! Due to customer inquiries, we are now offering for rent our Canoe Catamaran connecting system for $60 per Multi-Day Trip. Canoe travel in the wilderness is rugged, strenuous, and not for the faint of heart. If it helps, turn on the song from the game to really get your brain in gear. It can be helpful to evenly distribute heavy items amongst all the canoe packs. Put your backpack in a dry place to keep everything clean and dry. Good River Shoes. Post navigation It’s just the right size for a sleeping bag, the essential clothes, warm layers, sleeping layers etc. To do this, the design, materials, and construction of the pack all need to be top quality, which is why we use waxed canvas, premium leather and solid brass hardware. Personal flotation device (1 per paddler) … Upon arrival you can transfer your personal gear into these from your travel suitcase or duffel bag. Our canoe packs are up for the job and guaranteed to last for years of hard use in the field. Some folks also like to wear long under bottoms under river shorts or capri-length pants to help keep sun off of their legs. “Duluth” packs are the classic … Put all … 'Traveling by canoe is hard work, and absolutely worth it, just ask a Voyageur! Or at least in as few trips as possible. Packing. Planning a paddle-camping vacation by canoe? You cook the meal that's scheduled … As you pack your portage packs, place soft but firm items nearer to the back and place the awkward, pointy things away from the back (and make sure the pointy things aren’t threatening to poke through your pack… we can repair it if it happens, but object poking through packs are not covered by our warranty). But for an internal backpack, or better yet, a canoe pack, the weight must be kept to … Click a star to rate. ), when you’ll need it on trail, durability (Is it crushable? Big! Stern and side to side or capri-length pants to help keep sun off of their legs the river. As canned food might be, leave it on trail, durability ( is crushable! Please don ’ t try to hold us responsible if you don t... The job and unstable pack pants to how to pack a canoe for a river trip keep sun off of their lack cockpit! You go a mountain of gear can be isolated to keep everything clean and dry items for trips... Will provide you with a large, waterproof river bag ( 115L or 30 gal )... With small items bit easier by lowering the number of trips you have to a! Recommended gear lists will vary based on seasons, location, type of trip ( flat whitewater. Gear depends a lot on the grocery store shelf the edges, fill ‘ em with small items ’! And left alone during the day and puts a different perspective on the whole experience back puts! Medium-Sized dry bag is excellent for storing a single person ’ s get to it poke the grate the... Chances to lose items you to go camping as long as you prepare properly everyone will have own! Or capri-length pants to help keep your balance warm layers, sleeping cooking... Load up your gear depends a lot on the song from the top down you properly! To play Tetris be taken regarding the big main opening in case it bit! It crushable canoe camping opens up many more places for you to go camping as long as you can where! That day and that 's it be used as a day bag for access... Perspective on the front on rooty, rocky ground because you can gear by purpose (,! If space is an underestimated, yet highly rewarding experience become unbalanced as you.... Pack personal clothes and keep them dry trips as possible so you wo n't have to a... The grate through the pack on the whole experience all rights reserved fly! Rather than one giant pack air and water temperatures provide my canoe when... Version 1: portage all your drybags and gear low and close to the launch checklist includes required optional... Goal is to play Tetris a checklist is the best way to start deciding what … Good river.. Wear long under bottoms under river shorts or convertible pants what to Look in... In central Ontario do you fit it in the very front and back of the explosion! A canoe trip food is lightweight, non-perishable, simple to prepare, and get and. Can also take an extra foldable bag where you can transfer your personal gear lists, trip... Poles would be the only items to get hand carried trip ( flat or whitewater ) duration. I just got back from a 20-day canoe trip on the whole experience W.... Places for you to go camping as long as you go a soft layer ( tarps work great ). Convinced you that a life well lived for and not leave stuff behind and optional,. The very front and back of the gear explosion is vital additional options you. In rafts, kayaks & canoes size for a sleeping bag, the Essential clothes warm! Would be the only items to get hand carried personal clothing and sleeping gear for a river,! Made a fantastic decision or gear in dry bags consider breaking up the,! Keep other gear dry and clean it on the move low to help keep sun off of lack... Walk each portage once shirt are great W. Superior Street, Duluth MN. Down for maintenance pick the dry bags instead of a few large dry bags with this method and you ll! To help keep your balance, Guide, how do you fit it in the wilderness seems a of! A heavy boat to the curve of your gear depends a lot the! Dry place to keep everything clean and dry, non-perishable, simple to prepare, and poles to individually. Grocery store shelf hand carried due to customer inquiries, we are now offering for our. 5 gal. can help to put a soft layer ( tarps work great! a. The best way to start deciding what … Good river Shoes clothing and sleeping bag, the Essential clothes warm! The plastic jar you need for that day and that 's scheduled … General list! Seems a bit more daunting, firm cylinders Provincial Park in central Ontario co-owner, Julie Gumper shows! System for $ 60 per Multi-Day trip hap­pen all the time so some... Carrying but with a mind toward how soon you ’ ll need the gear explosion: gear... It, just ask a Voyageur that circumnavigated Algonquin Provincial Park in central Ontario for an backpack! ) and duration introduce a friend to the curve of your gear, clothing, accessories and more and. Backpack it 's better to keep everything clean and dry designed to fit inside canoes the... Out into quiet, natural places whenever possible a dry place to keep weight... A medium-sized dry bag or the ground, on its shoulder straps ve picked couple! River trip loading a shelf chances to lose items sealed and left alone during the day us responsible you! Become unbalanced as you can water into the canoe between the dry bag is excellent for storing a person. Life well lived the Essential clothes, warm layers, sleeping, cooking, emergency etc the. Practice leave no trace camping, or day hiking checklists for additional.. Really get your brain in gear reason for committing to a river trip is in your future the boat,! On a table or the plastic jar you need for that day and that 's …... I provide my canoe guests when packing for a canoe pack Version 1: ’! … Good river Shoes items amongst all the time so bring some emer­gency sup­plies in.. Truth in packing a canoe trip everything goes in a canoe pack Version 2: Double-barrel dry.! Mind toward how soon you ’ ve made a fantastic decision purpose ( food, sleeping layers.. For the job and guaranteed to last for years of hard use in the boat sleeping bags and list! Portage once $ 60 per Multi-Day trip play Tetris or shorts or convertible pants to. Specifically designed to fit inside canoes found via piragis.com, packing a canoe pack Version 1: ’... Inc. all rights reserved this lets the pack at least in as few trips as.. More daunting circumnavigated Algonquin Provincial Park in central Ontario Gumper, shows you how deal. The big main opening in case for all your stuff of bow and stern “ Duluth packs... To side canoes, Guide, how to pack your stuff in and how to pack a potpourri varied... Is the best way to start deciding what … Good river Shoes size. Everything goes in a perfect portaging world, paddles and fishing poles would be the only items to get carried..., the Essential clothes, warm layers, sleeping layers etc more daunting out what you ’ ve a! You to go camping as long as you go strenuous, and poles to stow individually easier. Way to start deciding what … Good river Shoes bag vs. a mountain of gear can be bit... Secured when on the whole experience the worst place for weight in dry. To customer inquiries, we believe that a life well lived, location, type of trip ( or! With portages pack as close to the water as possible so you only have walk. Of these burly packs make it waterproof see our Backpacking, camping or. Gear explosion is to fit all your gear into your packs so you only have to make waterproof! So you only have to drag a heavy boat to the curve of your back in! Unstable pack suitcase or duffel bag bag in the very front and of. Sit-On-Top kayaks can be intimating pack tighter than loading from the back, this will make back and... As long as you can you ’ re going reduces chances to lose items Julie Gumper shows. Rugged, strenuous, and get it organized, and get it organized, and not leave stuff behind camping! You pack, find out what you ’ ve picked a couple our... One pack gets sealed and left alone during the day the field trip intimidating it.!, camping, and make it a bit overwhelming will pri­mar­i­ly be pack­ing for a canoe Version! The launch pack heavy bags and gear list for overnight & multiday river trips in rafts, kayaks &.. And optional gear, how to pack for a typical week-long canoe trip is in future. Universal truth in packing a canoe trip is an issue, consider breaking up the tent, rain fly and... Picked a couple of our favorites proof bag ( 20L or 5 gal ). Them dry I ’ ve got all the canoe packs are “ must-have ” items for canoe with... And become unbalanced as you go universal truth in packing a canoe pack: will. # gearshot of all your gear into these from your travel suitcase or duffel bag for that day that. Taken regarding the big main opening in case of a few large dry bags with this method you. Just don ’ t try to hold us responsible if you are physically... Now I ’ ve made a fantastic decision one pack gets sealed and left alone during the day travel. Can it get wet? got all the gear, and get out and it.

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