Re: [Paddlewise] Kayak Camping Question

We camp mostly on Lake Superior. As previously noted, space is a bigger
problem than weight. Things I could leave behind if I really had to:

* Steel frame Travelchair beach chair. It stows alongside my Romany's skeg
box, gets me up off the damp ground, and has good back support. Purchased
at REI, but no longer sold by Travelchair.

* DSLR camera and lenses for off-water photography. I carry them in an old
LowePro Elite camera bag equipped with a home-made internal dry bag. The
camera bag sits between my knees in the cockpit -- not ideal, as it makes
entry and exits more difficult, but there isn't room for it elsewhere. For
on-water photography, I wear a Nikonos film camera under my PFD, so if I
left the former behind, I could still use the latter. I do leave my
accessory flash behind, though, as I rarely need it when camping. Besides,
it leaves more room for backup camera batteries. Cameras purchased at
National Camera and B&H, LowePro at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis.

* Mutha Hubba tent. We could get by with a 2p tent if we had to, but we'd
rather not. Purchased on sale at REI, and packs a little smaller than our
old tent.

* Wine. Since we store it in Platypus bottles way up in the bow or in
other odd crannies, it's not a real storage problem. Watch out for loose
caps, though!

Everything else I regard as necessities:

* Marmot 30-degree down sleeping bag for summer use -- really a space
saver, since it is more compact than my old bag. Ordered online, since no
one had it locally.

* 10-foot by 12-foot CCS white siliconized nylon rain tarp. With all its
tie loops (not grommets) and reinforcing nylon tape, this is the most
versatile, most rugged tarp on the planet, and with the white version, it
is never dark underneath even on the most dreary day. Purchased from Cooke
Custom Sewing, and picked up from the proprietor's home on the way out of
town. First-time setup was in a 50-mph wind in the Apostle Islands, which
it withstood magnificently. This is the last item to go into my bow
compartment, so it is always easy to get to.

* Two nested poles for the CCS tarp. This item is a toss-up, as it could
go into the other list, but since the poles fit in the bow compartment
along the keel, they don't take up much space, and they are very handy for
pitching the tarp on a beach. CCS.

* Food. Freeze-dried has become so good and is so easy to prepare at the
end of a long day, that we are using it more and more in preference to
home-prepared meals. Besides, it is more compact. REI or Midwest
Mountaineering.

* Cooking gear. Whisperlite stove and base for use on sand, two
30-year-old Sigg pots, plastic bowls and cups, Sigg fuel bottles. All
nests together but the stove and fuel. Midwest Mountaineering.

* First aid kit in a Pelican box. Somewhat hard to pack into the kayak; I
should look into less rigid waterproofing. Hardly ever used, but hard to
leave behind.

* Water filter. On Lake Superior, we don't have to carry fresh water.
Midwest Mountaineering.

* Clothing. As multi-purpose as possible using the layering principle.

* Rope, pullies, and lightweight pack for hanging food. Fits behind the
skeg box.

* Icom 72 marine radio and spare battery. Online purchase from a marine
store.

* GPS. I could get by without it, but it is occasionally very handy,
especially in fog. Marine store.

* Maps in a Seal Line case purchase from REI. On deck.

* Towing rig on deck.

* Bow line for tying up at night; I only attach it when needed, so
normally it lives in the day compartment in a plastic bag to avoid
entanglements. Marine store.

* Platypus hydration system. REI.

* Thermos. Saves on fuel by storing hot water for emergencies, morning
coffee, or late hot chocolate laced with brandy. REI.

* Braun AA battery-powered razor. Compact and gives a close shave, though
I use it only for cheeks and neck. Online purchase.

* Palm TX PDA. This gadget currently has about a hundred books on it,
mostly classics now out of copyright, and doesn't require a reading light.
It also has a very useful astronomy program called Planetarium that is
useful for identifying what's up in the night sky. It beats carrying a
bunch of paper books, but I do have to carry a recharger for it.

* Repair kit. Two multi-tools are better than one; my wife and I each
carry one. The kit also includes epoxy, nylon fabric patches, extra
batteries, fire-starters, nylon cord, etc.

* LED headlamp and other small lights tucked here and there. Sierra
Trading Post.

* Lots of spare AA-size batteries.

* Miscellaneous extra paddling clothing, depending on the season, that
might include neoprene gloves and a fuzzy rubber hood. Mostly Midwest
Mountaineering.

* Five pocket Palm PFD. Great river Outfitters.

* Tilley hat for sunny days and a Goretex crusher hat for rainy days.

* The usual paddling gear.

This isn't an exhaustive list, but you get the idea. I shop mostly at REI
and Midwest Mountaineering.

Chuck Holst
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