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Gear List

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All those lightweight backpackers always have mile long threads about gear lists. Why not paddlers?

I've put mine up in various stages, never really a complete one. I'll struggle through mine just in hopes I learn something from another one.

This is a complete trip for my wife and I, I'll try to be as thorough as I can. I'll break it up in categories:

On my person:

North Face button down shirt with vents
North Face convertible pants
EMS ball cap
Some fancy wicking underwear which is supposed to be good for a week without washing
Teva water shoes
Glasses

I never carry anything in my pockets.

I won't include my wife's clothing because it varies and I don't know.

Boat gear:

(2) Wenonah carbon elbow paddles
(1) Fox Lite straight paddle
(2) pfds
(4) lash straps for paddles
Painter rope
Map in waterproof bag

Boot bag (boot bag is emptied on carries and water shoes are lashed to packs):

50L OR drysack
(2) pairs of boots (for carries)
(2) pairs of socks

Pack Gear:

Sleeping gear:

(2) Lowe Alpine 65L packs with covers
(2) Enlightened Equipment Prodigy top quilts (mine is 30°, wife's is 20°)
(2) Thermarest pillows
Enlightened Equipment Prospect under quilt
Thermarest Neoair Camper Large sleeping pad
Hennessy Expedition Hammock and tarp
Big Agnes Jackrabbit SL1 tent

Cook Gear:

Trangia Alky stove
Clickstand SS pot holder and windscreen
Trangia fuel bottle (0.3L or 1L)
(2) small plastic spoons
Large spoon
(2) Sea to Summit plastic bowls
(2) GSI Infinity Mugs
GSI Kettle
GSI Haulite 1.8L pot (for Hawk Vittles)
Matches and lighter
(3) 1L Nalgene Bottles
MSR Miniworks water purifier

Camp Gear:

(2) Helinox chairs
Kelty Noah's Tarp 9
50' 550 cord
Folding Sven saw
Plastic garbage bag

Personal Gear:

(2) Kindle
(2) pack towels
(2) Swiss Army knife
(2) SOL Survival Medic (ditch kit)
(2) EMS rain jackets
(2) spare pair socks
EMS rain pants (me only)
EMS techwick long sleeve shirt (me only)
Wife's spare clothing?
Bug dope
(2) Headlamps
(2) Wool Buff
Toilet paper
Hand sanitizer
Baby wipes
Camera
Compass
SPF 50 Sun block
Small binoculars
Prescriptions meds
Car keys

Emergency Gear:

Medical Kit 0.7
(5) Excedrin
(10) 81mg Baby Aspirin
(10) 200mg Acetaminophen
(10) 200mg Advil
(5) Ketorolac 10mg (doctor prescribed)
(5) Ondansetron ODT 4mg (doctor prescribed)
Water purification tabs
Duct tape
Zip ties
Extra 550 cord
Spare headlamp batteries

We each carry 3 dry bags which hold our gear and serve as food bags to tie up at night. Food usually stays loose but sometimes we'll bring a bear can.

About the same stuff goes whether it's a week or overnight. If the dog comes we bring a leash, a bowl, a couple jackets and her food.
 
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My list is generally the same whether backpacking or paddling. Items change depending on the needs of the trip. But my base list is static.
 
My gear lists for backpacking and paddling are substantially different due to the lack of portages.
 
I only seem to do a couple short backpacks a year, and they are all with the same gear minus the boat and water related stuff. I don't use dry bags except for my sleeping gear, which doesn't need it because it's not down, but I prefer to sleep with a nice, dry quilt.

I was hoping to see some more 'lists'. I've been changing my personal list from year to year, trip to trip adding only what I feel is added value (this year it was helinox chairs which are are heavier and bulkier than a simple mat or trusty log, but oh so much more comfortable - I can sit by the fire or water for hours and read) or deleting those things I think I can get away without.

I keep saying it but my next big thing is a good camera, but really that's for my wife. I don't have the patience to monkey around with anything but a point and shoot.
 
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Mine is one big list. Not everything gets carried each trip. Sometimes it includes passports,permits, bailer 15 meters throw rope, all drinking water. Sometimes it doesn't.. Sometimes I carry SPOT.. sometimes not.

Sometimes harnesses.. sometimes not.

Camping in one ecosystem may involve one list. Camping in the swamps, desert and the boreal involves much tweaking between items needed. Note this does not include any food.

Tent
Tent Poles
footprint
tent stakes
sand stakes


bag
bag liner
pad
OR sack
hammock

Maps
map case
thwart bag
compass and whistle
throw bag
whistle on packs
bailer
painters
portage lines
yoke
paddles
spare paddle
dromedary
camera
camera case
spare batteries
PFD
spare keys
VHf radio
SPOT update contacts
ditch kit


books
cards
chair kit
libation


tarp
sealer
stakes
ridgeline rope
tie out ropes


Benadryl cream
Triple Antibiotic
hand cream
scissors
aspirin
bandaids
nu skin
scissors
kling
firesteel
aspirin


pot set
spatula,
kitchen pouch
soap
scourer
pot lifter
coffee cups
bowls
spoons
carving knife
water filter
water jugs
leatherman
stove
fuel bottle
fuel canisters
windscreen
coffee filter
drying bag
mixing spoon
colander
grater
cutting board
duct tape
matches: 2 lunch kit one first aid kit and one in PFD
gasoline
check bottles for seal
stove lubricant
lighters(2)
disinfectant
bug repellent
nimblewell stove
firestarter

toothbrush
toothpaste
toilet paper
baby wipes
sunglasses
pack towel
deodorant
hand cream
soap
headlamp
batteries
passport
permits

souwesterhat
rainpants
paddling gloves
raincoat
fleece jacket
wool shirt
toque
fleece gloves
long underwear top
long underwear bottom
goretex socks
sock liners
wool socks
camp shoes-crocs
paddling shoes
paddling boots
tilley hat
baseball hat
pants
long sleeve shirt
long sleeve t
short sleeve t
dslr
tripod
cooler
wine
water bottle
canvas bag for wine
umbrella
pee device
toilet pail and wag bags
collapsible dishpan
 
I was hoping to see some more 'lists'.
I'm slowly putting mine together, I'll post it soon. Despite bringing pretty much the same stuff year after year, I haven't made "one list to rule them all". Till now. As usual I keep forgetting stuff.
My wife said the other day "Why bother? We never forget anything." What a sweetheart. She never forgets anything. I'm the one who needs the list. Seeing YC's list just jogged my memory again. Rope.
 
I'm working on creating mine and it is proving challenging while the lists that are posted are proving to be very helpful.

Thank you.
 
Here's my gear list for my wife and I. Clothing obviously reflects seasons. For summer paddling we bring bathing suits and wet sandals and leave wool sweaters at home. Gear choice also reflects trip types. Shorter trips without many carries might include a 2 burner stove rather than smaller 1 burner stove.
I prefer to draw up a list according to where items are packed.
Gear List
Canoe:
- paddles, PFDs, map & compass, throw bag, tie downs, sponge & bailer, camera & tripod, stowed ziplocks of keys…
115L Dry Bag:
Tent:
- sleeping bags (2) in dry comp sack, sleeping pads (2)
  • tent, fly, footprint, vestibule, tarp 10x10, rope
Clothes in dry comp sacks:
  • socks, base layers tops & bottoms, towels
  • fleece jackets, wool shirts/sweaters
  • rain pants, rain jackets, head lamps (2), bug dope
  • hats & toques, long pants, long sleeve shirts, camp shoes
Stuff sack:
  • hand sanitizer, ziplocked toilet paper, trowel, burn can
40L Kitchen Pack:
  • twig stove & full fuel stove & full fuel bottle& tarp 10x14
  • full butane lighter, flint & steel, duct tape, rope
  • pot set, mugs, fry pans, spatula, spoon, cutting board & knives, utensils, coffee pot, reading & sun glasses
  • water filter & bottles (2), axe & stone, saw, seat pads
  • soap & sink & towels & scrub pad, fire starters
40L Emergency Dry Bag:
  • bug dope, compass & map, med kit, head lamps(2)
  • orange plastic bags (signal-rain shirt) & toques
  • chem hand warmers & wool socks, fleece, reading glasses
  • food bars, metal cup, instant soup
  • fire starter & lighter, small twig stove
30L Food Barrel:
7-10 days of meals
 
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We take a lot of first timers when we paddle the Allagash this is the list I send them for their individual gear. We bring the common of the gear. I don't use a packing list for the common gear, its all in one place and I pile it up... Tarp, poles, pegs, cord. So far its worked and I haven't forgotten anything. Most of the gear goes back packed and things like the kitchen are just adjust base on the number in the group.

 
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Bathing suit is optional on the Allagash. A fair number of Europeans visit. They don't bring suits. Hubby and I were on Inlet on Round Pond. A number of young Euros were at Outlet.. :cool:
 
Spring 2014
Day Pack
Head Lamp
Mini Tripod
Camera
Survival Kit
-matches
-snare wire
-paracord
-fine cordage
-fishing hooks
-whistle
-compass
-pocket knife
-candle
-duct tape
-bug head net
-emergency blanket
-Large Ziploc Freezer Bag
First Aid Kit
Repair Kit Box
-Tent Repair Kit
-Military Hay Wire
-Stove Repair
-Batteries
-Sharpening Stone
-Matches
-Firestarter
-Compass
-Paracord

Rain Coat
Rain Pants
SilNylon Guide Tarp
Rope
Bundle of Paracord
AR-7 Survival Rifle
Toilet Paper
Hand Sanitizer
Small Tackle Box
Stringer for Fish
1L Nalgene
Katadyn Combi Water Filter
Binoculars
Original Bug Shirt
Toque
First Aid Kit
Tea Billy
Cutco Filet Knife

Main Bag
MEC Cygnet Down Sleeping Bag
Marmot Liner
Air Mattress
Eureka VCS 16 Tarp
Eureka VCS 16 Mesh Room for Tarp
Eureka Mountain Pass 2XTC
Guide Tarp
Hellinox Chair
Waterproof Compression Sack with
-1 Spare Pants
-1 Spare Shirt
-1 Spare wool socks
-1 Spare Underwear
-Track Pants
-Sweat shirt
-Large wool Socks
-Garbage bag
-Book
-Bandana
-Moccasins
-Canoe Journal and Pencil
Kitchen Kit - see other List
Wool Blanket for Dog
Extra Fuel
Coat
Empire Canvas Works Wool Blanket Shirt
Matches
2 x 23m Polypropelene rope
G-Man 21” saw
Grandsfors Bruks Small Forest Axe
Personal Hygiene Kit
-Toothbrush
-Toothpaste
-Advil
-Pepto Pills
-Benedryl Pills
-Nail Clippers
-Talcum Powder

Kitchen Kit
Optimus Nova Plus Stove
GSI Pinnacle Back Packer Cook Set
Fuel Bottle
Wind Screen
Container with
-Sporks
-Small Cutting board
-GSI Folding Utensils
-Matches
-Wooden Spoon
-Mini Whisk
-Camp Suds
-J Clothes
-Tea Towel
-Large Ziploc Freezer Bags
-Aluminum Foil
-BBQ Lighter
GSI 2L Fair Share Cup with screw on lid
Kitchen Journal

On my person and loose items
Original Bug Pants
Quick Dry Button Down Shirt
Quick Dry T-shirt
Anti Microbial Underwear
Wool Socks
Keen Water Sandals
Large Belt Knife
Leatherman Tool
Matches
Paracord
Wide Brimmed Hat
Whistle
Fishing Licence
Bandana

Fishing Rod
Fishing Net
Canoe
Paddle
Life Vest
Painter Lines
Emergency Kit

This list is from a Spring Trip. I'm heading out Saturday and will tweak the gear accordingly. No bug protection needed as the snow and frosts we have been getting has taken care of that. Warmer clothing, I'm not taking the dog so no need to accommodate his needs. I'm going to see if I can trim a few more pounds to accommodate carrying a second gun, maybe not.
 
Bathing suit is optional on the Allagash. A fair number of Europeans visit. They don't bring suits. Hubby and I were on Inlet on Round Pond. A number of young Euros were at Outlet.. :cool:
I skinny dip in the evenings, or when I don't want to get my one and only pair of shorts wet. I bring my bathing suit...when I remember to. I'm not an exhibitionist. I'd rather keep my privates private.
One trip with my brother, we were standing on the perfect swimming rock getting up enough nerve to take the skinny dip plunge. I dove in and enjoyed the cool tingle while he stood bare arsed to the world chatting about this and that. As we chatted I saw a pair of canoes swing round the point from behind him. Being a good brother that I am, I continued to chat, and keep his attention directed my way...until just the right moment. They were quiet paddlers. He didn't hear a thing. Just as they reached his peripheral vision I greeted them (from the modest safety of chin deep water). My brother was sure I was joking, and refused to be fooled. When the two canoe loads answered me with friendly "Hellos" he swung around and gave them an unintentional full frontal view before making a hasty dive into the lake. The paddlers were German tourists, and were completely unperturbed by the exposure...unlike a certain wrinkly brother of mine.
 
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Gear lists are pretty similar. They don't interest me much. The main difference between my mental list, and the ones above, is that I take less clothing. We have pretty good weather a lot of the time in the West. The one exception would be the spring trips on smaller rivers when snowmelt provides sufficient flow for tripping. Those trips can be rainy.

There seems to be a divide in the US when it comes to nudity. I was raised in the 60s and 70s when nudity even in public was common place. I used to skinny dip with my family as a kid. For many years no one ever wore a bathing suit in the family hot tub. We used to visit communes and go to festivals. When I was young, we often backpacked without clothes except for a hat and boots. We paddled sometimes the same way. On California rivers It is still common to see people sunbathing without clothes.

Younger people today seem much more conservative when it comes to this topic. It strikes me as odd. Nudity is no big deal even in public. I went to a party years ago with some younger people. It was an afternoon affair with a hot tub around the side of the house. I didn't have a bathing suit, so I took my clothes off and took a dip. The young people made a big deal out of it and called me the "the Pink Torpedo" for years afterward.

Edit-
I have forgotten lots of things over the years and learned to make do, scrounge, or make one. I also frequently forget to stay on the topic. It is only because I am passionate about canoeing and I like the people on this forum.
 
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we seem to be migrating to the non gear list.. I apologize for leading astray.. We probably all have really funny stories about being caught or causing people to get caught or as in mine and McCrea's travels, enjoying the company of a very tan kayaker.
 
Yeah, it never takes much to lead me astray. Sorry about my nudie off topic wandering.
I'll get my clothes back on and get back on topic.
I'm not into making lists, but I do find them helpful. I'm finding other people' lists helpful as well. Some things I no longer take, some things I'll never need, some things I never thought of.
 
This is my list. What goes all depends on whether kayak or canoe, type of trip and the time of year. My memory is shot - I need lists.
Ted

CLOTHES what I'm wearing and packing
Kokatat paddling suit
zip off pants
long sleeved shirt
long sleeved undershirt
short sleeved t shirt
underwear
socks
baseball cap
canoeing hat
toque
wind breaker
goretex jacket
goretex pants
camp shoes
water shoes – light
water shoes – hd
high top rubber boots
fleece top light
fleece top medium
fleece top heavy
moreno wool underwear light
moreno wool underwear medium
paddling gloves fingerless
paddling gloves full
warm gloves
bug jacket and/or bug hood
bandanna
sewing repair kit

PERSONAL GEAR
pills plus extras
prescription glasses x2
prescription sun glasses x2
toilet paper x2
lip balm
sun screen x 2
moisturizing cream
tooth brush
tooth paste
floss or picks
chamois towel
hand sanitizer
helonox chair
book

CANOE/KAYAK GEAR
pfd with whistle, knife, PLB
boat painters
lining rope
bailer or pump
sponge
50' throw rope
canoe/kayak re-entry gear & float
kayak towing gear
2 single blade paddles
2 kayak paddles & leash
kayak skirt
kayak deck bag
kayak cart
canoe thwart bag
removable yoke
repair kit
rafting up carabiners
canoe wind/spray skirt
kayak tappered dry bag
mesh duffle bag
para cord
safety & rescue light

TENT AND SLEEPING GEAR
tent and/or hammock
tent repair kit
tent or hammock footprint
tent pegs/line
sleeping pad
pad repair kit
sleeping bag
mini reading light
senate seat if tenting
door footprint
tarp, stakes & rope
pee bottle

CAMERAS AND ELECTRONICS
dslr and lenses
dslr rain protector
remotes
tripod
small point and shoot
waterproof camera
batteries
memory cards
cleaning cloth and brush
Personal Locator Beacon
SPOT
gps, maps, map case and compass
data logger
flashlight
binoculars or monocular
cell phone
vhf radio
small weather radio
audio recorder

KITCHEN
bowl
spoon & knife
laddle
flipper
mug
kitchen kaddy
stove
fuel cannisters
cannister stand
nimblewill stick stove
flint striker & matches
pots & lids
pot holder
cutting board
nylon ground cloth
soap, scrub pad and cloth
gravity water filter
aqua tabs
500ml naglene for soaking dry foods
gränsfors bruks forest axe
hunting knife
water bottles & nalgenes

PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT
moleskin
waterproof bandaids
knuckle bandaids
Tegaderm
Steri-strip closures
tweezers
tick tweezers
polysporin
lancing needle
triangle bandage
imodium
robaxacet
afterbite
gravol
tylenol
alcohol swabs
safety pins
mirror

CANOE/KAYAK REPAIR KIT
wire
bolts and nuts
zip ties
accessory cord
multi tool
duct tape
mini wrench
vinyl repair
tenacious tape

SAFETY
trail saw
bear spray
bear bangers & flares
 
As far as the 'Bathing Suits' go, its a mixed group not only M/F, but Teens and Adults and most of the Fs are Teens
 
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