CANOE CAMPING LIST (rev 2.4, 10-28-16)
Geared Towards Camping on Sand Bars & Without Portaging
GENERAL
ITEM / DETAILS, PIECES, REASON or USE & TIPS- Headlamp-Petzel LED in lieu of lantern
- Spare Batteries
Store it in an easily accessible spot.
White light is required by law for a canoe when navigating at night
Flashlight-Mag Lite / Where bright concentrated light is needed such as emergencies or identifying animals/sounds at long distance or canoeing at night.
- Tarp (with loops/eyes/clips) or 12’ x 12’ Nemo Bugout Shelter:
2 x 8’ collapsible poles
Ropes & stakes
Hammer
Hanging LED lamp / Don’t underestimate the value of a tarp it can make or break a trip.
Provides place to cook in the rain or sit outside if raining. Can drape over an upside down canoe supported by paddles as a temporary shelter. Use it over a hammock. Use ¼” nylon or parachute chord to tie off to tree or make a ridge line. Can use aluminum stacking poles (Eureka brand available from Campmor) to support a ridgeline for the tarp.
Pack tarp and associated ropes and stakes together in a small Rubbermaid box. This will allow quick access to setup if raining (versus digging through multiple larger crates). Also allows to keeping tarp separate from other dry items since most likely it will be wet when taking down due to dew even if it doesn’t rain.
One available option is to purchase the Kelty sunshade which comes with poles and is self supporting (must be staked down for wind).
Another option is the Nemo bugout shelter (7’ x 7’ or 12’ x 12’) allows cooking inside bug free and keeps moths and nats away from your face when a headlamp is on. Use a LED lamp hanging in the middle of the shelter versus headlamp.
String or Chord-75/100 ft Can be cut into 10-15’ lengths / Multi purpose: To anchor tarp or tent in high wind, elevate food from animals, tying loose items to canoe. Can also tie between trees to put tarp in inverted V over hammock for dew/rain protection. Can store with tarp ropes.
For a clothes line the rope (i.e.1/8" nylon) should be 2-1/2 times longer than the span between your trees. Stretch a line tightly between 2 trees, make a couple wraps around the tree, then double-back, and tie simple hitches over the over the taut line every 6 or 8'. Keep the line taut, and tie it off on the tree where you started. When you hang your clothes, towel, etc., hang them over 1 line only, and the 2nd parallel one will keep the item from being blown off.
Heavy Duty Yard Trash Bags with drawstring (3) / Provides single place to deposit trash that builds over the days. Emergency rain parka/wind breaker or for emergency water collection. Can wrap clothes or sleeping bags in (two bags with openings facing opposite directions) to provide water resistance.
Ziplocks / Multipurpose: Organizes loose objects or items by function/type, stores initial and unused portions of food, keep items dry in lieu of dry box if canoe upsets/overturns (i.e. food, toilet paper, cellphone, electronics/GPS). Take spare ziplocks beyond what you use for organizing..They are almost always needed for something that comes up while on the trip.
Can serve as emergency wound irrigation by poking small hole and squeezing water out under pressure. Need extra to hold fish filets or store leftover food.
- Sleeping Bag or Sheets:
Dry Bag or Trash Bags / Bedding and cover. Items should be stored in a dry bag or other means (i.e. trash bags) to keep dry. In addition it can be stored in a compression bag to reduce size and add some protection. After waterproofing with trash bag can store in one of the large Rubbermaid containers placed in canoe. If stored in drybag then can be placed at extreme front or pack of canoe.
To avoid having to take a lot of bedding chose a sleeping bag for the anticipated temperature range. In winter a 20 deg F mummy bag may be required such as North Face’s “Cats Meow” whereas in summer a cotton 50-60 deg F bag unzipped with a sheet over it is fine
- O2 Cool Personal Fan (summer)
- Potty Ring (optional)
Dig cathole under potty ring before each use or can use plastic bags and haul it out.
- Weather Radio
GENERAL (continued)
ITEM / DETAILS, PIECES, REASON or USE & TIPSSelf Inflating Air Mattress or Foam Pad (Optional) / Additional comfort while sleeping and sitting. Provides insulation from ground in cold weather and elevates sleeping bag from ground moisture. Store in large Rubbermaid box to protect from punctures or in drybag along with sleeping bags. Thermarest camprest, prolite 4 series, z-lite or ridgerest are all excellent choices.
Pillow (optional) / Warmth and comfort while sleeping, elevating head or foot in injury. Some sleeping bags (i.e. mummy style) have an external pouch to allow you to stuff clothing into to make into a pillow.
Hammock (optional):
- Hammock
- Tree Straps
- Bug Net
- Tarp
- Stakes for Tarp
- Plastic Foot Mat
- Insulating Pad
- O2 Cool personal Fan and batteries (summer)
Collapsible Bucket and Rope / For hauling up water for dishes or bathing if camping along steep cut bank side of river
Beach Umbrella:
- Umbrella
- Tie Down String
- PVC Pipe
- Hammer/Mallet
Firearm (optional):
- Firearm
- Ammunition
- License if applicable
Fire Starter / Saturate cotton balls in petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and pack them tightly into a 35mm film container. They burn hot and long.
Can use a candle, solid magnesium with flint and lighter or: Collect drier lint & stuff into the pockets of a used paper egg carton and cover with paraffin wax. When needed, just break off one of the twelve fire starters and light the egg carton. Burns good for 10-15 minutes.
Matches-Waterproof type or in waterproof container, Lighter or Magnesium Flint Striker / To ignite stove, lantern and/or fire starter for fire. Get waterproof style or make wooden matches waterproof by dipping in hot candle wax or finger nail polish.
Toilet Paper / For defecating in the woods. Ideally a “cathole” should be dug 6”-8” deep, 4”-6” in diameter and at least 200’ from a river, stream or lake. Bury the toilet paper and feces with the dirt and natural materials to disguise it. See Dueteronomy 23:13
Small shovel or trowel / For digging catholes (above) or making a hole to protect stove from wind or digging trench around tent for proper drainage.
Pocket Knife or Multitool (Leatherman, Swiss Army) / Multipurpose: Cutting bandages in emergencies, opening food/cans, cutting string, preparing ziplock for wound irrigation, etc. A leatherman Micro is an excellent choice.
Camera (optional) / For recording memories. Pack in waterproof container
Binoculars (optional) / Pack in waterproof container
Fishing Equip. (optional):
- License
- Pole
- Reel with Line
- Hooks
- Bait
- Pliers
- Trotline with Weights
- Fishing Regs
- Measuring
- Landing Net
- Stringer
Bandanna-Large / Multipurpose: Keeps sun off neck, cooking water strainer or pre-strainer for muddy water, sweatband, bandage/sling, hot pot gripper, and washcloth. Can be used at the edge of a tarp string to prevent water from following the line and dripping under the tarp. Use in the summer to wet down clothing to stay cool and put under hat (wet) as sun shade and to cool. Can use to dry pots after already cleaned.
Emergency Blanket / For hypothermia
Baby Wipes (opt) in Ziplock / For quick easy cleaning of hands without water. Need to keep sealed in ziplock to keep moist and provide means of carrying used ones out.
First Aide Kit (See Items in Details Column) / For medical emergencies. Basics include: Asprin, Neosporin, Band Aides, Butterfly Strips, Iodine, Moleskin for blisters, duct tape, Imodium AD, Ace bandage, Tweezers, Tick Puller. Optionally may want to carry “A comprehensive guide to wilderness and travel medicine” by Eric Weiss, MD.
- Reading Material/Journal
- Games
Dominoes, cards
Utensils-Fork/Spoon/Spatula / For eating and preparing meals.
Whisk Broom / Absolutely essential when camping on sandbars. Use to remove sand on top of crates prior to use for setting items (food on), cleaning off bottom of feet prior to entering tent, getting sand off of tarp if it contact sand while wet, etc.
Pot Brush (optional) / For cleaning pots and pans. A brush is preferred to a scrub pad since bacteria won’t grow as easily. Alternatively can use river sand as an abrasive to scrub out pots. Water is usually boiled in the pots at next meal, which will then sterilize and river water bacteria.
Water & Water Containers / For personal hydration and cooking. A good rule of thumb is 1 gallon per person per day for both personal hydration and cooking (hydrating food). Additional water is required if river water is not used to clean dishes. Water weighs about 8.3#/gallon. For a 3 day river trip for 2 people too 4.5 gallons for both cooking meals and drinking but river water was used to wash dishes (only breakfast/oatmeal required hydration)
Double Blade Weed Cutter and Woodmans Pal Machette / For clearing grassy areas of tall weeds or getting poison ivy runners off or tress for hammock straps. Can get Ames Double Blade Weed Cutter from Home Depot for $16.97. Woodmans Pal can be obtained at Cabelas for $89.99
- Tent:
Rainfly
Poles:
Stakes
Guy Lines
Footprint/Ground Sheet / For weather protection (rain, dew, cold) and insect protection during sleeping. Ground cloth prevents moisture from seeping through tent floor seams and protects tent bottom from sharp objects like rocks and sticks.
GENERAL (continued)
ITEM / DETAILS, PIECES, REASON or USE & TIPSWater filter and/or “polar pure”/iodine (optional).
Can alternately filter water with Bandanna and boil it if you have enough fuel. / For replenishing water supply along the trip (for contingency in case a water container fails or spilled). A water filter does not filter out viruses whereas a water purifier does. Filter elements need a pore size of 4 microns for protozoan and 0.2 for bacteria. Most good backpacking filters will block cryptosporidium and organic chemicals. Polar pure and boiling for 1 full minute will kill viruses. Polar pure can serve as backup if filter fails but it will not get Cryptosporidium or organic chemicals. Boiling can also serve as a backup and will kill all microorganisms and is the most foolproof. Always have a backup. Adding vitamin C (50 milligrams eliminates any taste or color of iodine however you must wait until the iodine has purified the water. Katdyne Hiker or Guide are excellent filters. Can also use Katadyne Purification Tablets
Kitchen Stuff:
- Pot with Lid & Lid Lifter
- Cups (Yeti) and Yeti Can Holder
- Plates/Bowls
- Forks/Spoons
- Spatula
- Skewer for roasting hot dogs
- Soap – Biodegradable (e.g. Dr Bronners Peppermint)
Soap is used to wash hands before meal preparation, after going to bathroom and to clean pots.
Duck Tape-15-25’ / Multipurpose: For emergency repairs and as part of first aide kit rolled onto golf pencil to reduce size.
Repellent and Headnet / For bugs while paddling or at night. Particularly critical during summer in TX.
Sunscreen & Lip Balm / Sun, wind and low humidity protection.
Saw or Pocket Chain Saw and/or Ax / For sawing logs/branches to a size right for a fire. An ax, although heavy, will also allow you to split a log. For safety purposes it may be best to not carry an ax if in remote areas. Sven Folding camp saw is an excellent saw (available from Campmor)
- Compass/GPS
- Map (waterproof)
- Sea Line Map Case/Cover
- Extra batteries
- UTM Grid Template (opt)
UTM template has the UTM grid marks on it to allow the quick and accurate transfer of GPS coordinates to a map.
Strap compass and GPS to canoe thwart. Also can strap watch. Compass should be on opposite side of thwart to prevent interference from electronic devices (watch and compass)
- Cell Phone fully charged or Satellite Communication Device:
Waterproof container / For emergencies, checking with the Boss, and/or coordinating take out time for shuttle. Also can call home to check on latest weather forecast & let loved ones know of progress/location.
Solar Charger / To recharge batteries, for headlamps, cell phones, e-readers, personal fans, etc on extended trips. Goal Zero is a good brand
Can Opener - Military Style / For opening cans (i.e. tuna fish, chili, etc.) if required
Straps / For lashing down and compressing sleeping bags, bedroll, clothes, etc.
Permit / Required for some rivers.
Spare Car Key / To allow shuttle driver to lock in car at take-out point.
Chairs – Folding or Crazy Creek / For comfort at campsite. Simple is to use crazy creek chair and use crate to elevate off the ground and be at regular height.
Paper Towels / For drying items and blowing nose etc.
Star Chart (optional) / For tracking constellations
Trekking Poles-Optional / For climbing up a steep and possibly muddy river bank in an emergency or for some need. Also to hold up side wings on Nemo Bugout shelter (otherwise use 2 canoe paddles)
Shovel-Folding - NATO Style / For digging fire pit or leveling sand for tent site. Available from Cabelas
Nalgene Bottle (optional) / For drinking water while canoeing, easy to access and wont spill, will float if canoe upsets, kept close at hand at all times. Alternatively can drink straight from water jug.
Reference Material:
- Tree Identification
- Flora and Fauna
- Bird Identification
Plastic Bottles-Food Grade / For cooking oils or any liquid cooking ingredients, liquid soap, etc
- Stove:
Spare Parts
Windscreen
Starter/Lighter / For boiling water for: hydrating food, hot drinks, water sterilization. Fuel/person/day varies from: 1/8 qt in summer, ¼ in spring/fall, and ½ qt in winter (if melting snow). Liquid fuel stoves have fuel readily available but require more maintenance and priming and may not simmer well. Compressed gas stoves Have easy on/off and lower maintenance, easy to control temperature but it is difficult to determine amount of fuel left. Butane does not burn well at high (7k ft) altitudes. Alternative include alcohol stove such as Whitebox or twig stove such as Solo Stove.
Ice Chest (5 Day) / Can take ice chest if for limited number of days. Igloo “Ultra – Cold” will keep ice for 5 days @ 90 deg F.or a Yeti Food plan should be decided based on whether ice is taken or not. Block ice keeps longer. Can freeze water in ice jugs..keeps water from melting and contacting food. If using store bought cubed ice do not open bag (lasts longer). Bag will keep the cold are around and inbetween the ice from escaping when the ice chest is opened.
Clothing
ITEM / DETAILS, PIECES, REASON or USEHat-Wide Brim / Sun and rain protection (treat with Tent sealer for waterproofing) improves vision during rain for those with glasses. Provides warmth.
Sandals or Rubber Boots (If cold-optional) / To keep good shoes clean since river mud can be nasty. Can go bare footed in summer while paddling and getting in/out since it is easier to clean mud from feet versus shoes or sandals/boots. Be sure to use Sunscreen on bare feet.
Paddling Gloves / To prevent tops of hands (always facing up towards sun when paddling) from getting sunburned. Use thin gloves with finger tips cut off
Socks / Required for rubber boots in winter to keep feet warm and prevent blisters. Also needed for sandals in summer to prevent sunburn.
Fleece or Wool Pants/Shirt / Fleece and wool insulates even when wet and can prevent hypothermia if canoe flips. Hypothermia can occur even in summertime under the right conditions. Always take an extra pair of clothes and protect them against getting wet.
T-shirts / Wick away sweat, provide layering in winter, can be cut up for emergency bandage or sling
Rain Gear / Provides comfort in wet weather, blocks wind and helps prevent hypothermia. Need both pants and top.
Winter Clothes / For warmth and includes: Gloves (neoprene preferred), down or fleece jacket, head band/hat, scarf, thermal underwear and/or insulated coveralls.
Long Sleeve Shirt / Sun and poison ivy protection.
Long Pants-Quick Dry Nylon / Sun and poison ivy protection. Cotton can be dangerous in cold weather if it gets wet.
Belt / To hold up pants..Small lightweight nylon preferred that would dry if wet.
Under wear / Comfort and protection
Shorts / For comfortable sleeping at night
Swim Trunks / For swimming in the river during warmer months
Watch & Alarm / For wakeup and pacing self on the trail and coordinating rendezvous time
Towel / For bathing or drying off items. The quick dry type are very convenient and can be squeezed and re-used without drying.
Sunglasses and/or Reading Glasses / To protect vision. Be sure to only use glasses with UV protection. Wearing sunglasses without UV protection can actually cause more damage than no glasses since the dark sunglasses allows the eyes to dilate and therefore let in more UV.
Toiletrees:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Soap
- Shampoo
CANOE STUFF