I usually don’t like gear lists. It’s kinda like listing your criteria for a spouse — things you might like I may not like. It’s a very personal thing. Then again, it’s not bad to start with something, and here’s something. We’ve gathered different lists from different people, and find that this works out well. Pick and choose and you’ll come up with something nice.
There is no substitute for experience. If you want to develop the best gear list, go outside a lot, use your stuff, and after a few trips, you find you leave a lot of stuff behind. Then again, on the bigger trips, you bring more luxuries. A gear list is flexible. Funny thing is I find myself continually learning what works and what doesn’t, and how much stuff to leave behind (most of it).
My current trend is that I find myself buying tougher, more expensive gear, but buying it less and less. I used to buy a new light hiking boot (made by a large unnamed company with a swooshish logo) just about every spring, but found that they just don’t last (that’s my experience anyway). Then five years ago I bought a pair of Vasque Sundowners, and I’m on my fifth season with them, and they’re wonderful. Sure, they cost twice as much, but then again, I’m already money ahead.
My other current trend is to bring more simple things that don’t weigh very much along. I find 50 feet of parachute cord has a number of uses. Anyway, on to the list…
Tandem Canoes
Novacraft Prospector 16 in Royalex (for river trips)
Arbor Vitae Fernwood Special
Curtis Companion (15′ solo-tandem)
(this space available – stay tuned)
Solo Canoes
Novacraft Super Nova in Royalex (for river trips)
Blackhawk Starship
Bell Merlin II
Astute observers will notice I don’t have a tandem boat over 16 feet long. Non-astute observers will know it after reading the last sentence. I don’t have more than two people to a canoe on most occasions, and I don’t need the room nor the extra weight. I like 16 foot canoes. If it’s good enough for Bill Mason, it’s good enough for me.
I like the Fernwood because of aesthetics (it’s gorgeous) and also because it paddles so nicely. I’m loving my time in it, and I find I’m paddling it more and more as a solo canoe, Canadian style. The closest boat we sell is the Trader from American Traders.
If I didn’t already have a 15 foot canoe, I’d buy a Bob Special. But that is prohibited under the Marriage Preservation and Canoe Non-Proliferation Act of 1998.
I know we don’t sell Blackhawk canoes, they’re no longer made. The closest thing in production would be a Bell Magic or Wenonah Voyager. Long and fast, in essence.
No Wenonahs, even though we sell a lot of them. Again, that’s prohibited under the MP and CN-P Act of 1998.
Essentials (carry with you or in thwart bag or small knapsack):
Map(s) of Area
Compass (2, one big, one small spare)
Waterproof matches or matches in a waterproof case)
Firestarter. I like cotton balls with petroleum jelly rubbed into them and stored in a film canister.
Water bottle
Knife (small folding lock blade of some sort)
Headlamp
Sunglasses and bandana
Repellants (insect) and sunscreen
Small first aid kit (like Adventure Medical Kit Optimist)
Binoculars (small)
Shelter
What I carry for shelter depends wildly on the situation. I have the following which I mix and match depending on conditions.
Sierra Designs Hyperlight AST
Moss Titan GT
Moss Heptawing (the wee one)
Moss 19′ Parawing
Kelty Mantra 7
Frost River Whelan Lean-To
I believe that unless you’re travelling ultralight, you need at least one tent and one tarp except in the late fall, when there are no bugs and you can enjoy sleeping under the stars. I have slept in the Whalen Lean-To in some pretty chilly weather and with a fire in the proper spot, it’s great.
Sleeping Stuff
Big Agnes Lost Ranger or BA Horse Thief)
Camp Rest LE (the most comfortable mattress that’s not a futon)
Thermarest Standard Long if I’m travelling light
Paddling Gear
This stuff is what I’ve narrowed it down to for canoe trips.
Turtle Paddle Ottertail
Turtle Paddle Guide Paddle
The traditional paddle has become my favorite for long distances for reasons of efficiency and control. I used to think that the wood size constrained native indiginous canoeists to long, narrow blades, but I have come to the conclusion that if short, squatty paddles were better, they would have found a way to make them over the course of a thousand years or so. Anyway…
PFD
Throw Bag
Stuff Sacks for Carrying Gear
Portage Pack
Small Portage Pack (for solo trips)
Cascade Designs Boundary Bag 70
Thwart Bag
Kitchen Stuff
Plastic cup (none of those lousy mouth-burning Sierra cups! Ick!)
Plastic bowl (from thrift store)
Lexan Utensils
Duluth Pack Kitchen Roll to hold other utensils
Trangia Stove and fuel
MSR Alpine Cook Kit
Svea 123 (my ancient stove that won’t die
)
Lodge Dutch Oven (2 quart, 8″)
MSR Miniworks water filter
Dr. Bronner’s biodegradable soap
Scotch pad and small washcloth
Salamander Kitchen Sink (folding sink)
Clothes and Stuff
Quick Dry Pants (nylon)
Long underwear
Not-so-long underwear
One t-shirt, too ugly to wear in public
One t-shirt, respectable enough to wear in public
Ex-Officio Baja Shirt (quick dry)
Kokatat Paclite Gore Parka
Boots – Vasque Sundowners
Lots of socks (Smartwool)
Smartwool Wool Stocking Cap
Fleece vest for layering
Things to Write and Draw With
Ritchie Wet Notes Waterproof Paper
Rite in the Rain Sketch Pad (also waterproof)
Pencils (I can sharpen them with my knife).
I’m sure there are things I’m forgetting. All in all, like I said, it’s my list, no reason to think it’s gospel or anything.
