Loadout for Upcoming 30 Day Trip

[NikonF5user]

Definitely take the warmer jacket. You haven't mentioned footwear, but I'd suggest having something with you like knee high rubber boots or an alternative to allow for dry feet on cold days. In the kitchen, something to allow for baking - reflector oven, Dutch oven, fry-bake - which I think makes a nice change from one pot glop on a longer trip. Maybe a cold handle frying pan and a couple of cans of Spam? A few potatoes or onions? How are the bugs on the Yukon? - a small screen shelter could be useful. A couple of extendable tarp/shelter poles, if you forsee camping on gravel bars without trees.

I am going to make some additional replies later with food, footwear, and other ancillary items and so forth, but these are all fantastic ideas - thank you! I would LOVE to do some paddling in the Territories, sounds AMAZING! I forgot my coat bag in the original loadout pictures above. I have a rain jacket of course, but also a thin insulating layer from Moutain Hardware that I highly recommend and also a wind-breaking jacket that when paired together are mighty nice.

Footware I have been debating still. Over the last year I have been "wetfooting" with Merrill boots, but portaging is not going to be an issue this trip. I may paddle in neopreme boots that I like, and I have close-toed Crocs for camp. I will bring a pair of hikers for sure, but tall boots I had not considered. Will need to see how I can organize that.

For cooking I will have a small fire grate and a frying pan as well that I had planned on organizing on or in my food barrel (although they may end up on the outside of my pack) - most certainly want to be prepared for any grayling that may end up in my boat (although I am pretty much the world's worst fishingperson)!

 

[Gamma1214]

and also a wind-breaking jacket that when paired together are mighty nice.

Anything waterproof is also windproof so the rain jacket would suffice as a windbreaker. You wouldn't gain much pack space but it might help.

 

[NikonF5user]

Anything waterproof is also windproof so the rain jacket would suffice as a windbreaker. You wouldn't gain much pack space but it might help.

Agreed - and I may leave the wind jacket at home. It's a thicker Mountain Hardwear Windstopper fleece that also has some warmth, so I am on the fence as I like the added warmth but it is the single bulkiest clothing item I have...

 

[Pseudonym]

I will bring a pair of hikers for sure, but tall boots I had not considered. Will need to see how I can organize that.

Tingly 10" overshoes pack very small and turn any breathable shoe into a waterproof boot by stretching over your primary footwear. If you get the fit right, then you gain the benefits of a structured waterproof boot without having to pack the same amount of mass. They're remarkably durable.

 

[NikonF5user]

Tingly 10" overshoes pack very small and turn any breathable shoe into a waterproof boot by stretching over your primary footwear. If you get the fit right, then you gain the benefits of a structured waterproof boot without having to pack the same amount of mass. They're remarkably durable.

Wow - I have never heard of them. Do you have a particular model you recommend?

 

[Pseudonym]

I've always purchased the Work Rubber Classic Fit 10" Overshoe. The only reason I've repurchased is because I lost my first pair before ever wearing them out.

 

[NikonF5user]

Food is a bit more challenging to document. Not fully loaded yet - I am going to add a few more backpacking meals and bannock to the mix, plus lunch and breakfast items (and snacks). I have always struggled with barrel organization so I purchased Recreational Barrel Works stuff this year to make it a bit easier. I'll try to post my meal plan, but here's my current food status (leaving for Yukon at the end of the month - which is RAPIDLY approaching):

 

[zekabl]

Won't you get tired of eating basically the same thing day after day? I know there are different flavors but essentially all the same texture. No beans for around the campfire?

 

[NikonF5user]

I think it will start to get a bit monotonous after a bit, but I try to mix and match things to give different flavor combinations. I have never gone quite this long, but it has been my experience that it's not the hugest concern becuase you get so hungry that any sustinence is tasty! The "Sideaway" packets I plan having with fish caught enroute. If I do not catch any fish for dinner, I will end up eating those as stand alone meals near the end of the trip.

Here is a snippit of how I plan meals:

 

[Mason]

One thing I do to save volume and avoid camp waste is to rebag everything in produce bags--they are very lightweight/low bulk, and reasonably strong (double bagged). You can buy a roll from your market for a few dollars. I just tie them closed in a loose overhand knot. I usually put all meal components in one bag--simplicity.

 

[NikonF5user]

One thing I do to save volume and avoid camp waste is to rebag everything in produce bags--they are very lightweight/low bulk, and reasonably strong (double bagged). You can buy a roll from your market for a few dollars. I just tie them closed in a loose overhand knot. I usually put all meal components in one bag--simplicity.

I know this is a common thing to do, and I have been thinking of doing so specifically to save space. Ultimately it will not save total waste, but clearly would reduce the volume of waste on the trip. I think it would also save a slight amount of weight. I have been a bit hesitant to do so because it feels a bit wasteful to remove food from one bag and insert it into another - but this may end up being the price one pays for minimizing bulk...

 

[Mason]

I know this is a common thing to do, and I have been thinking of doing so specifically to save space. Ultimately it will not save total waste, but clearly would reduce the volume of waste on the trip. I think it would also save a slight amount of weight. I have been a bit hesitant to do so because it feels a bit wasteful to remove food from one bag and insert it into another - but this may end up being the price one pays for minimizing bulk...

You can save a lot on waste by creating your own meals using ingredients rather than pre-packaged stuff. My normal trips are 4-6 weeks, commonly with lots of portages. It all adds up.

 

[NikonF5user]

You can save a lot on waste by creating your own meals using ingredients rather than pre-packaged stuff. My normal trips are 4-6 weeks, commonly with lots of portages. It all adds up.

Oh I FULLY agree - I do not have a dehydrator or freeze-drier of any sort, but this is most certainly a long-term goal for me. Usually I am out up to 9 days or so, but doing these longer trips it would save a TON of waste (and ultimately I think money) to make my own, plus it will probably taste better as well...

 

[Alan Gage]

A dehydrator is not needed for many things. The only thing I dehydrate is fruit and veggies. Everything else is straight from the grocery store. Here is a recent thread on the subject:

Food Staple Trail Cooking

I’m thinking about the days before dehydrators, freeze dried package meals, when campers packed food staples like corn meal, flour, dried meat, rice, fruit, beans, etc. Anyone do any of that beyond bannock making? I’m wondering if there’s a net savings in weight for a long term trip.

www.canoetripping.net

I've personally found that meal monotony does not bother me one bit. I eat the same thing day in and day out for each meal with little variation. Each meal is a pleasure to eat, even on the last day.

It only takes a slight shift of mindset to realize that what, on the surface, could appear to be a "monotonous" meal plan is actually an embarrassment of riches that would be envied by the majority of humanity throughout time.

Alan

 

[Erica]

I am not bothered by monotony or by simple, repetitive meals. What I will do, for long trips, is hide some high cal treats somewhere, which I promptly forget about. When they turn up mid-trip, it is a nice surprise.

I also repackage everything and organize by meal. Smaller volume, which is important on a long trip and frequently less weight as well. I repackage in ziplock bags.

 

[RPATCH]

I am on this same trip. I don't have photos on hand for everything, but this is my little grab bag that stays in front of me.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I am on this same trip. I don't have photos on hand for everything, but this is my little grab bag that stays in front of me.

What do you put the bear slugs in?

 

[RPATCH]

What do you put the bear slugs in?

Hopefully, nothing! Until then, a Remington 870 Express.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Hopefully, nothing! Until then, a Remington 870 Express.

Just a few more questions about shotguns as a tangent. About 13 years ago and as a direct result of bears/shotguns threads on the predecessor of this site, I bought my first and only gun, an Ithaca Model 37, for canoe trips I was planning into Canada. Those trips never happened and I have never used the gun for any purpose.

I'm curious whether you take the gun as a routine matter on canoe trips into certain locations, and how you carry it in a canoe. A waterproof case of some kind?

 

[RPATCH]

Glenn,

I never carry a gun anywhere and I've never taken one on a canoe trip. I've had this shotgun for a few years and in researching the trip it seemed like a reasonable thing to do. I have a cheap dry bag that it is in. I've field stripped it and coated it with Eezox for rust protection. I have not determined yet exactly how I will carry it. That is something I'll work out in the next few days when I test pack everything. I may strap it to the top of my Redleaf spray cover. That is what I'm leaning toward without the benefit of actually trying it yet.