| Clothing Lists OUTFIT LIST FOR CANOE TRIPS Read this list after you think you have packed everything BACKPACK: A properly fitted internal frame backpack in good repair. It should hold all your gear inside or in pockets except wetboots and the clothes you will wear. However, you can strap your mattress tightly to the side using at least two compression srtraps. Filled with your gear your pack should weigh no more than 14 kg (30 lbs) except for arctic trips where the weight may have to increase to 18 kg (40 lbs). External frame packs are not acceptable. Packs specially made for canoeing such as Duluth packs, Woods #1’s, or Voyageur canoe packs are acceptible where no extended hiking trips are planned. SLEEPING BAG: Rated for comfort to 0°C (32°F) for summer and -10°C (14°F) for fall, spring and barrenland or arctic trips. It should be light and compact 1.4 - 3.2 kg (3-7 lbs). Synthetic bags of Polarguard or Hollofill dry out faster, and stay warm when damp - unlike down. Down is lighter, more expensive, warmer and more compact, but it doesn’t work when wet and takes a long time to dry. Whatever kind you have make sure it is in good condition, of good quality, long enough and warm enough and has its own stuffsac. A cotton bag liner will help keep the bag clean, a bit warmer, reduce the claminess of a nylon lining and can be made by sewing up a sheet. Not needed on Inn-to-Inn canoe trips. MATTRESS: A standard full length Thermarest packed
in its own stuff sac, or a full length Airolite
closed cell blue foam mattress rolled up and held with straps.
Airolite is warm, reliable, less expensive, but not as cushy. Open
cell foam pads are not permitted and air mattresses with pumps are
acceptable on weekend trips only. Not needed on Inn-to-Inn canoe
trips. FOOTWEAR: Wetboots are recommended for canoeing and portaging. You are guaranteed to get your feet wet - every day – on all our trips. These can be real wetboots made of neoprene or closed cell foam rubber. The kind kayakers wear. Make sure they have a good solid sole. You may want to insert a foam insole to reduce the impact of stones and stumps on portages. An old pair of lightweight hiking boots or over-the-ankle running shoes in good condition will do in summer. Dryshoes such as another pair of lightweight low-rise running shoes in reasonable shape for around camp. A pair of lightweight waterproof leather or Gore-tex hiking boots are required for barrenland and arctic trips where some extensive hiking on the tundra is likely. New boots or shoes must be broken in by wearing them for a few days before leaving home. Your dryshoes should be in a separate plastic garbage bag and nylon bag like your clothes. RAIN GEAR: Trousers and hooded jacket. A good quality rainsuit is essential. You should be able to pull the trousers on over your wet or dryboots. It should not be too light or cheap or it will tear on branch stubs or snags. Test it out at home. Factory sealed Goretex is ideal. Be sure it can be worn over a jacket or sweater (or parka in the case of barrenland or arctic trips) in really cold, wet and maybe even snowy weather. HELMET: A whitewater (kayak) or bicycle helmet for trips involving lots of whitewater. Optional for barrenland and arctic trips. SOCKS: 2 pairs of warm socks (wool/nylon blend). per week of the trip. In bug season and for barrenland or arctic trips they should be higher than your boots to tuck your pants into and keep the bugs out. Some trippers wear two layers of socks: Light inner ones and thicker outer ones. Your choice. SWEATER OR JACKET: 1 Patagonia synchilla pile, or Polartec 300 fleece, pullover or jacket, or a heavy wool sweater. We do get cold, rainy days in summer and frost at night is not unknown in spring and fall. Make sure you can paddle comfortably with rain gear over it. In addition bring a hooded winter parka and insulated warm-up pants before May 1 and after October 1 and for all barrenland or arctic trips. The latter should be packed as emergency gear only - in a separate plastic bag and stuff sac and hopefully never needed. SHIRTS: 1 long sleeved heavy-duty light oloured wash/wear work shirt per week. 1 or 2 cotton T-shirts per week. TROUSERS: 1 pair for paddling. We recommend a nylon or nylon/cotton blend that dries real fast. Army surplus pants are also excellent. They should be lightweight and cut the wind. 1 pair for the campsites. Polyester-cotton sweat pants are the best. Bluejeans or Dungarees or anything made of pure cotton is not permitted. You will freeze to death while they are drying - if they ever dry. UNDERWEAR: 2 pair per week - your choice, plus one pair of longjohns or sweatpants (wool/nylon for fast drying such as LIFA midweight). The latter are useful on cold wet days, around the campfire while your trousers are drying, and worn inside your sleeping bag on frosty nights. Before June 1 and after September 15 and on all barrenland or arctic trips, bring one set of upper and lower longjohns. Brynje string underwear from L. L. Bean is excellent under fast drying pants for hiking and canoeing in cold and windy weather on arctic or barrenland trips. FLASHLIGHT: A small sturdy light. Bring a spare
bulb and spare long-life batteries on
long trips. Not necessary on arctic or barrenland trips where we
have 24 hours of daylight. BUG JACKET: 1 Skeeto-ban or similar hooded bug jacket kit in a plastic bag with repellent. This is the answer to the bug problem at campsites. You will be surprised at how effective they are. Some of us think the white ones are superior. Not usually necessary before May 1 or after July 15 unless in a rainy year. Essential for all barrenland and arctic trips. INSECT REPELLANT: 1 small bottle of your choice. Muskol with the highest concentration DEET works best. It will last the whole trip. The bugs love ‘em all. Not usually necessary before May 10 nor after August 1 unless you are very sensitive, allergic, a very wet season or an arctic or barrenland trip. Bring 2 small bottles for arctic and barrenland trips SMALL POCKET KNIFE: Fish knives and sheath knives are not permitted on teenager trips, but adult fishermen on other trips may require them. STUFF SACS AND PLASTIC GARBAGE BAGS: 3
- 4 nylon stuff sacs and 3 - 4 Glad orange plastic garden garbage
bags for organising your gear. The Glad orange garden bags
are the strongest. One each for your clothes, sleeping bag and dry
shoes with socks. Put the items in the garbage bags squeeze the
air out and tie a knot in the top. This is quite waterproof. The
garbage bags are then placed in the nylon stuff sacs which prevent
the garbage bags from being abraded or torn. The sacs go into your
backpack. The system works quite well. You may also use specially
made waterproof stuff sacs (Voyageur, etc.) if you wish, but they
sometimes leak and are heavy. We can show you how to pack your gear
if asked at the beginning of the trip. SOME ADDITIONAL IDEAS: Extra shoe or boot
laces, chapstick, sunscreen, playing cards or compact games, sunglasses,
camera & film in a waterproof camera bag. Your favourite
paddle and lifejacket although
we provide them. Personal water filter and water bottle if you don’t
want to drink river, stream or lake water. Lightweight fishing
gear (collapsible rod) but you must obtain a license, A
cap or sun hat if you are sensitive to the sun.
Also useful for rain and cold. Bandanas to tie around your head
or neck to keep off black flies in fly season. Does red work best?
A wet suit for whitewater trips before June 1 and
after September N.B. We try to keep everybody happy and comfortable
so that they will enjoy their trip. Having the right gear at the
right time really helps. If you have any questions or comments,
please let us know. |
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| Trips offered Choose from one of the links below to find a trip in the category of your interest. |
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> Backpacking
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| Scheduled
trips |
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If the trip you are interested in is not listed in this
year's calendar you can request a trip. We will design trips around the
requirements and dates that you prefer. |
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