Choosing the right equipment is as important as the food menu. Leaky tents, the wrong style of packs, and missing items will make for a long, miserable trip. Just about everyone knows someone that has a cache of camping gear, but that gear may not be designed for canoe camping. Here's a list of the typical items that we take on our trips:
Sleeping bag - rated to 40 degrees for July and August, rated to 15 degrees for May, June and September.
Sleeping mat - either a self inflating or regular closed cell mat. Consider a full length mat for spring and fall trips. The additional length will give added insulation from the cold ground.
Tent and poles - make sure the tent is at least one man size larger than the number of people sleeping in it. Example: a four man tent will sleep three average sized people comfortably. The same tent will sleep two tall individuals comfortably. Keep in mind that most campsites will have a maximum of three tent pads (frequently less) where the tent can be put up. Tents should weigh a maximum of 12 pounds with poles. Some of the "camp ground" style tents can run 15 or 20 pounds with poles and that's a lot of extra weight to be carrying on one's back.
Ground Cloth - this is a layer of plastic that is put under the tent and folded so that it is four inches smaller than the tent base. It can also be used inside the tent (instead of under) which is easier for most folks. The ground cloth acts as a moisture barrier and keeps the mats, packs and sleeping bags dry when it rains or the ground "sweats" over night.
Kitchen tarp or dining fly - a plastic or nylon tarp that can vary in size from 8' x 10' to 12' x 14'. Its purpose is to provide shelter from the hot sun or rain during the day. It's handy for eating meals under or to stow extra gear.
Bear Rope - plan on bringing two 50 foot pieces of natural fiber rope. Nylon is sometimes used, but not preferred. Nylon rope normally stretches within a few hours and the food pack that was 10 feet off the ground at 9 pm, is now 6 feet off the ground at midnight. Nylon rope stretches even more when it gets wet.
Parachute cord - don't leave home without it. It's like duct tape - hundreds of uses on canoe trips. Just to name a few; clothes line, added to a fish stringer to get the fish into deeper water away from mink and birds of prey, lashing canoes together, or as anchor line. Bring 20 to 50 feet.
Cookkit and utensils - there's a number of different items that you can use as a cookkit. Preferred are nesting pots that come in varying sizes. The traditional cookkit will have a large 9 quart pot, two smaller pots, a coffee pot, lids, and two nesting frying pans. It also comes with plates and plastic cups. Variations of the pots can be used depending on the group size. Add in eating utensils (fork, knife and spoon), cooking tongs, spatula, fillet knife and a large serving spoon to fill-out the necessary hand utensils. Plan to have one extra plate, knife, spoon, fork and cup for measuring and serving. If Lexon or nylon eating utensils are used, make sure the extra set is metal. Metal forks always seem to work great for turning bacon or fish fillets.
Axe & saw - the axe is optional and should only be brought along if the intended user is experienced at using it. Small bow saws and folding camp saws pack the best. A saw should definitely be brought along.
Stove - this can come in handy during rainy periods when lighting a campfire can be difficult, or during a fire ban when open flame fires are not allowed. Small groups of 4 people or less should plan on two quarts of white gas for a single burner stove (used for two meals per day), for a period of 5 days. Large groups using a two burner stove will require three to four quarts of fuel for the same situation.
Lantern - very optional. During the canoe season a flashlight will actually be just as handy and far more easier to pack.
Life jackets - life cushions are not considered a legal form of PFD. The life jacket can not be attached to the canoe or gear while paddling. It must be kept throwable, and even better, on the user's body.
Paddles - whether wooden or plastic/aluminum combination, palm or t-grip, straight or bent shaft, every user will have their own personal favorite. Most users will choose a paddle length that falls between their shoulder and chin. It takes trying a lot of different paddle styles to find the one that really works, but once the formula is figured out, that's the only one to use.
Portage yokes - a device that is clamped or bolted to the center portion of the canoe to aid in single man carries across portages. Most are padded blocks of wood covered in vinyl. The canoes are very balanced and easy to carry using the portage yoke. If the portage yoke pads cause discomfort, try wearing a life vest for extra shoulder padding.
Fire grate & latrine shovel - needed only if a Canadian trip is being taken. The Canadian side is basically a clearing in the woods with no toilet facilities or permanent fire pit.
Packs
There are many different ideas as to what works best out on the trail. Clothes baskets, duffel bags, garbage bags and any other "thing" that will hold gear can be found out in the woods. The style of pack that was designed specifically for northwoods travel is the traditional style Duluth pack. Its stout, roomy design was created for short hauls (unlike a tradition backpackers/hiking pack) and sits low in the canoe, improving the canoe's center of balance. This is the only style of pack that should be taken. Backpacker/hiking packs do not sit properly in the canoe, and throw off the canoe's center of balance. Backpacker/hiker packs also take up A LOT of room and are difficult to get in and out of the canoe when loading and unloading.
Three common sizes of traditional Duluth packs can be found. The #4 pack is used for the bulky, soft gear such as sleeping bags, mats, tents (not poles), rain gear, and personal clothing. The #4 pack ranges in size from 6800 to 7400 cubic inches. The favored canoe country food pack is the #3.5 pack. The food pack should have a special cardboard box and liner that the food items and cooking & eating utensils are placed in. The cardboard liner offers support and stability to the pack. Between the pack itself and the plastic liner, place the soap products, axe, saw, tent poles, firegrate and trowel down the three exposed sides. Save the ground cloth and kitchen tarp and slide these down the fourth side that rests on the carriers back - this adds some additional padding that is appreciated. The #3.5 pack will run 6200 to 6500 cubic inches in size. The #3 pack is the traditional "personal" pack used by outfitters for their customers clothing and personal items. Most seasoned canoeists that purchase their own packs will work with the #4 and #3.5 packs. There are also many additional sizes of packs. For a child a #2 or #2.5 pack would be large enough to carry their clothing and sleeping bag. Some "hi-tech" styles of packs come with additional pouches and netting, along with chest straps and hip belts. The pouches and netting can be used to carry maps, sunscreen, bug repellant and other frequently used items.
Canoes
Just like packs there are endless options in canoe styles. Things to consider when choosing a canoe:
1. An inexperienced or beginning canoeist will have the most stability in a 17' or 18.5 aluminum canoe.
2. Kevlar canoes are great for intermediate to advanced canoeists. Kevlars have a narrower width and are designed for light, fast travel. They tend to be tippy when used by novice and beginner canoeists, but handle with ease under experienced hands.
3. How many packs are being taken? The average canoe can hold three packs and two paddlers, or two packs with two adults and one youth.
4. What will the water levels be like? Late summer and fall trips see much lower water levels and exposed rocks. Kevlar canoes can be easily damaged during this time of season. Consider a Duralite, aluminum or plastic style of canoe for fall trips.
5. What are the canoeing skills of those going on the trip? Putting an experienced canoeist with a novice in a kevlar may be asking for trouble. Canoes only go as fast and are as stable as the most inexperienced paddler.
Choosing the right gear is important. Experience is by far the best judge. Each trip you take will give even more insight into the gear that will head out on the trail next year. Keep notes on the gear, quantites, and individuals that went out on the trip. Note what canoes worked best, if the sleeping bags were warm enough, if the tent(s) were appropriate, etc. That way gear can be fine tuned to the users on future trips.
May your portages be short and the breezes gentle on your back...
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