Canoe Camping
Suggested Equipment for Canoe Camping
The following list can be modified according to the type of trip you are going on, the time of year and the length. A 17 foot canoe can carry up to a 1000 pound load (2 adults and 1 or 2 very small children plus gear). Be careful to not overload your canoe. It should not sit more than 6 inches deep in the water or half of its depth when fully loaded passengers, gear and all to be safe. Load your heavy items (ice chest, water jugs, etc.) in the center.
EQUIPMENT LIST
- P.F.D. (life jacket) 1 per person and 1 spare per every 10 persons (note: life jackets are very difficult to field repair)
- Throw bag 60 ft. line (one per boat)
- Rescue rope 125 feet min. (for unwrapping a canoe on a river)
- Rescue pulleys, carabiners, prussick loops for a "Z" drag (for unwrapping a canoe)
- First aid kit
- Repair kit (lots of grey "duct" tape) should be appropriate for the type of boats on the trip
- Paddles 1 per person
- Spare paddle one per canoe
- Canoe (length 17 or 18 reccommended for camping
- 15 foot bow and stern lines (floating line)
- Float bags (laced in for extra floatation in whitewater class 2 and above)
- Bailer and/or large sponge
- Helmet (for class 2 and above)
- knee pads (glued into your canoe) (for kneeling in whitewater to lower your center of gravity)
- Wet suit or dry suit for water temperatures under 50 degrees (hypothermia protection)
- River shoes that won't come off in the water and provide good foot protection
- Wool sox or wet suit booties to keep your feet warm
- Camp shoes (dry shoes)
- Swim suit
- Glasses strap (to keep your glasses on your head)
- Extra pair of prescription glasses
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick with sunscreen
- Personal medication (Tampax)
- Toilet tissue (in a zip-loc bag)
- Paddling jacket (nylon wind shell)
- Waterproof vinyl dry bag (for storing your personal clothing and gear in) (Put your clothing and sleeping bag in a separate plastic bag and then put them into the dry bag [double bag]).
- Pile sweater
- Wool gloves and wool stocking cap
- Warm jacket for camp
- Long sleeve shirt (dry clothes for camp)
- Long pants
- Shorts
- T-Shirt
- Underwear
- Waterproof watch
- Towel and washcloth
- Camera and film in a waterproof container (ammo box works well)
- Sleeping bag and pillow (this is canoe camping not backpacking!)
- Therm-a-rest air mattrerss or foam pad
- Ground cloth
- Tent (free standing works best for river camping)
- Flashlight and fresh batteries
- Extra bulb
- Insect repellant
- Calamine lotion
- Liquid hand soap
- Toothbrush and tooth paste
- Dental floss
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Canteens or water bottles (drinking water should be 2 quarts per person per day)
- Water purifier filter
- Garbage bags
- 5 inch by 7 inch shovel (required for attending campfires) (obtain a campfire permit)
- Ice Chest (block ice seems to last longer than cubes)
- Stove (always store separately from any food)
- Fuel and funnel (store away from food and clothing)
- Cooking pots and fry pan
- Dutch oven
- Coffee/tea pot
- Plates and cups
- Spoons and forks
- Large knife for food preparation (do not use a knife that comes in contact with the water ie. guide's knife)
- Spatula and dipper
- 2-1/2 Gallon water containers (larger sizes are difficult to store, heavy to carry and shift in your canoe unexpectedly)
- Can opener
- Wash pan or plastic buckets (use the 3 bucket system of dish washing)
- Clorox (for rinsing dishes)
- Dish soap and dish washing brush or sponge (scouring pad)
- Salt, pepper, and condiments
- GROUP EQUIPMENT: Some rescue equipment and commissary food equipment can be shared by groups.
- SUPPLEMENTAL GEAR: Wildflower and bird books, river log, maps, lantern, folding chairs, canoe seat backs, Frisbee, hackie sack, fishing gear, games, musical instruments, and song book.
- PERSONAL GEAR: Each persons gear should be limited to around 30 pounds. There are many new synthetic materials for use in clothing and sleeping bags that have good wet characteristics, and are less expensive than Down, which is almost worthless when wet and may take a day or more to dry. The new wonder fabrics will even keep you warm when wet. The old standby is wool.
