Kayaking... any ideas ??

bush-haus

bush-haus

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I will be kayaking for the first time with a few friends in a week. We will be on the river for 3 days. We will be aloud to camp overnight on the sandbanks and are aloud to start small fires.

Of course, besides my BK-09, what supplies can you guys think of to bring? Just essentials. I have been camping many times and backpacking as well, so I feel I have my bases covered, but as far as "river" type items I don't know if I am missing anything. The room of the kayak will afford me more weight, but I don't want to overpack either.

To simplify, are there specific items I need for kayaking that I wouldn't normally carry while backpacking?

thanks for the help!

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Beckerhead #32
 
nah, I am in Texas. We haven't had much rain. The river is flowing at a whopping 200 cubic inches/second. Not fast at all. This part of the river is VERY travelled!

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Beckerhead #32
 
Dry bags. I would say one big enough to hold all your clothes, and maybe another smaller one for small stuff. My two cents at least.
 
ditto on dry bags and extra underwear (nothing worse than soggy underwear when you take a dunk, quick dry fabric or not). also sun screen. my arms and legs were pretty toasted last summer on my first kayaking.
 
Dry bags, lots of socks, undies. Don't put your camera in a ziploc, that will destroy it. Keep the batteries seperate, when you don't need it, and allow it dry in the sun if it gets wet.

You're in luck, THE GUYON is an avid kayaker, and will have tons of stuff to add.

I live in the Smokies, very humid, very wet. Dry your socks on your pack or belt when you're not in the water, and have a damn good time. I have been kayaking enough times to say its a joy, but not enought to know what I'm doing. I hope to meet up the Guyon later this year for a trip.

Have fun, brother, and let us know how it goes.

Moose
 
lots of extra socks, you can never pack enough socks. bug spray, water proof container (for electronics and valuables), clothes for all weather, sunglasses cause the sun bounces off the water. thats all i can think of right now
 
Thanks to all suggestions so far. Some really good ones. Will putting my cell phone in a ziplock bag ruin it?
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Beckerhead #32
 
bush-haus said:
Thanks to all suggestions so far. Some really good ones. Will putting my cell phone in a ziplock bag ruin it?
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Beckerhead #32
Click to expand...

Any electronic stored in a sealed bad with moisture is bad. When you open and close the bag, and moisture gets in it, the moisture, and the electronic are sealed together. Moisture will migrate into the internals, and short out components. Moisture wants to travel from wet to dry, the inside of electronics is quite dry.

It would be fine, if you say package it dry, and never open it, but, say you take your camera out, snap a pic, and put it up. If you have moisture on your hands, then its on the camera, then they go into a sealed enviornment. I used to live in Tejas, so, its gonna be hot, moisture evaps, and migrates into the electronics.

Seal it, and leave until you're dry again, no problem. Seal it, take it out, seal it, take it out, you get the picture. I deal with electronics all day during my vocation, 2 things kill electronics faster than anything, light moisture, and dust.

If the battery is out of the camera/phone, and it gets completely soaked, I mean water running out, let it dry thoroughly in the sun, for several hours, throw the battery in, and you're good. Had a cell with a dead battery get left out in a soaker of a night (bonfire, I was drunk). Found it the next morning, dryed it out on the dash of my car all day, put the thing on charge, worked like a charm. Just an observation.

Moose
 
If you're using a touring or sea kayak with decent hatches and a spray skirt, your backpacking gear will serve you well. Use several smaller drybags instead of a couple of big ones. Easier to pack in the hatches and locate what you need. Good rain gear (jacket especially) is a must. Blisters will ruin your trip quick so be sure to take a pair of gloves. The mechanics gloves with elastic backs and leather palms work pretty good if you don't want to buy paddling gloves. Crocs work good for footwear. Be sure to have a good strong headlamp and a loud whistle. You're going to have a blast. You'll be hooked.:thumbup:
 
Hey bush-haus, lots of good advice so far. I've done quite a few overnighters in a 'yak.
Don't have time right at the moment, but I'll hit you up with some ideas before next week.
Shoot me an email, and I might even be able to send you a checklist from a past trip.

You can get dry bags at a good price at China Mart (Wal-Mart).
A good hat and sun-block are musts. You get sun from above, but it's also reflected off the water.
If it's warm enough, forget the socks on the water and wear Tevas/Crocs/water shoes.
For warmer feet, you can pick up neoprene socks pretty cheaply.

Here's a yak packed to the gills. I did a dry run on the packing for an overnight trip with a bunch of old friends.

photo.jpg
 
You can also vacume-pac your small emergency things, if you have one. Waterproof to the max---until you open it.
 
TwinStick,
That's a good idea. I do have a vaccumer and didn't think of that.
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Beckerhead #32
 
Some good strong bug spray and waterproof matches... and don't forget your Becker!
 
bush-haus, I couldn't get to those pack lists. They're on a hard drive from which I still need to recover some files.
I threw together a quick list in the categorical fashion I would normally do it.
A few things may be missing here, but I think all the biggies are covered.

Shelter
Hammock w/ tarp (or tent)
Sleeping bag & pad
Inflatable pillow

Water
3L Camelback reservoir (full)
Nalgene bottle
MSR filter

Food Prep & Serving
Mountain House freeze-dried
Jetboil stove (w/ cup)
Alpha Lite long spoon
Snacks (trail mix, Cliff bars, etc.)
Coffee and creamer packets
Hot chocolate mix
Flask with spirits

Clothing
Poly pants and shirts
Crocs
Wool & neoprene socks
Jacket (quick drying)
Sunglasses w/ tether
Hat

Kayak
Paddle and leash
Life vest w/ knife & whistle
Deck bag
Paddling gloves
Repair (small epoxy kit and duct tape)
Length of rope

General Preparedness
First-aid kit
Survival essentials (fire, emergency, etc.)
Sun block
Bug repellent
Fixed-blade knife & SAK
Head lamp
Flashlight
Small toiletry kit
Toilet paper & shovel
Gerber 6" saw
Cell phone in Otter Box
GPS
Extra batteries
Microfiber towel

Other
Camera (waterproof)
Dry bags and dry boxes for gear
 
I keep a waterproof flashlight (that has a laser in it) handy to avoid getting creamed by a 70mph bass boat. That may not be an issue where you're going but I've had some close calls. Fun.
 
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