| Day Clothes: These are items
you wear during the day and can get wet every day. |
| Long sleeve T-shirt |
Light weight synthetics or merino wool. Offers warmth in the morning and protection
from the sun in the afternoon. |
| Short sleeve T-shirt |
The foundation of your layering system,
new synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body, dry quickly
and are comfortable. |
| Bathing suit |
Nylon shorts with liner for boys,
Girls often find a two piece suit easier when "nature" calls.
Nylon shorts for girls protect the tops of thighs. |
| Fast Drying long pants |
Remember when we all tripped in cut
off jeans? Quick dry nylon pants provide warmth, and protection from
the sun and biting insects. |
| Wool or quick drying Socks |
Wool, capeline, etc., wick moisture
away from the feet to help prevent blisters, cold, and athletes foot.
No cotton or cotton blends. |
| Lightweight Nylon hiking boots |
Forget leather, it never dries, and
weighs as much as a canoe when wet. |
| Bandana |
The all purpose item. |
| Wide-brimmed Hat |
Protects your face and the back of
your neck from sun exposure. |
| Sunglasses |
Ultra Violet ray protection is essential.
Use glasses strap to keep your shades on your body if your canoe tips
over. |
| Paddling Gloves |
Optional, some canoeists like fingerless
gloves to help prevent blisters. |
| Night
Clothes: Stay in your protective dry-bag until we are at the campsite
so you always have warm and dry clothes to wear. |
| Fleece jacket |
The ubiquitous fashion choice of
outdoors people everywhere. |
| Short sleeve T-shirt |
The foundation of your layering system,
synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body, dry quickly
and are comfortable. Merino wool, while expensive never smells bad. |
| Fast Drying long pants |
Still no denim. Fleece pants are
cozy, warm, dry quickly, and people will want to touch you. |
| Wool or quick drying Socks |
You can tell a Canadian by their
grey wool socks with red stripe. Capeline is comfortable, but tends
to become a little, well, smelly. |
| Lightweight Nylon hiking boots or
shoes |
"What about sandals," you
ask? Well, around the evening campsite people have often stubbed a
toe, sometimes requiring medical intervention. Don't let this happen
to you! |
| Underwear |
Boxers, tighty whities, bikini, or
whatever makes you feel good. |
| Toque |
eh? Wool, fleece, whatever keeps
your head warm. |
| Bug shirt or insect repellent |
Bug shirts are the most effective
way to prevent biting insects from getting to your skin. They are
essential in early summer black fly season. A lot of bug repellents
have the same effect on humans (no one wants to go near you), but
DEET products are effective at keeping biting insects like mosquitoes
and blackflies away. |
| Rain Suit |
Two piece, full coverage, waterproof suits with
hoods. |
| Non-Clothing Items
you must provide for the canoe trip: |
| Sleeping Bag |
Synthetic fills are lightweight,
highly compressible, and dry quickly in the event your bag gets wet. Avoid cotton liners. |
| Sleeping pad |
Makes sleeping on the ground more
comfortable. |
| Vinyl Ground sheet |
Extra waterproof protection between
your sleeping pad and the tent floor. About the weight of a typical
shower curtain. |
| Sun Block |
Remember when the sun was your friend? |
| Carabiner |
Typically a rock climbing tool used
as a personal safety device. Full sized only please. |
| Flashlight |
AA battery type are generally the
right size. Headlamps are great. |
| Journal / pencil |
Optional. To record your thoughts. |
| Camera |
Optional. To record your sights. |
| Mini binoculars |
Optional. To see the sights a little
better. |
| Toothbrush |
You should probably leave that electric
one at home. |
| Toothpaste |
Goes with the toothbrush. Do not
put toothpaste into your dry bag. Trust me. |
| Brush or comb |
Some prefer the "wild look,"
some the coiffure. |
| Spending money |
No fry stands on the river, but many
like to purchase a soft drink or other goodies on route to and from
the trip. |
| 1 litre water bottle |
We treat the water on all canoe trips
with filters or suitable treatment system. |
| Backpacker's towel |
Optional. A synthetic chamois absorbs
several times its weight in water. Wring out to dry. |
