Pre-season rituals

[red langford]

Today was my first pack and un-pack routine. I always seem to pack, un-pack, re-pack and then do it all again several times trying to tweak and perfect the gear set-up. My wife thinks it's strange but I do it every year. A few changes I did this year was to go to a gravity filter rather than the Katadyn Combi. Save myself quite a bit of weight there. Also switching to the Hammock which means bringing a big fat foam roll. Lighter for sure, but bulkier. I also managed to secure two square pails that will fit side by each in my pack. One for kitchen gear and one for food. This will work for a weekenders but may need a bigger solution for longer trips. I like the hard sided solution for this stuff so nothing gets crunched along the way. Would hate to break the top of the fuel bottle pump or crush my flask of whiskey. I'll do it all again a few more times before I embark on my first trip.

Anybody else go through rituals like this?

 

[Mihun09]

You are really hoping someone else does I'm sure, oh seagull whisperer!

 

[Srobocop]

As bad as this sounds. My Ritual for making sure my gear is in order is to grab all my stuff(rough list in my head) and go to Craig Lake State Park. Camp on Craig Lake and then figure out what I forgot if anything, or when I repack my stuff to leave I can pack it the way it works best. If I forget something crucial the vehicle isn't far away and I could make the run into town to grab what i need (the price I would pay). Typically after that first trip all my stuff is pretty much situated for any other trips I may do.

 

[Mihun09]

We do have a list, although it does need to be updated soon. It is a bit early to be thinking about canoeing and we have much yard work and boats to work on, but eventually we will set the tent up, check packs and other gear to be sure everything is tickity boo before the first trip.

We have sold some stuff and there is more to get yet, but for the most part it is just a matter of picking gear off the shelves and loading it. Check it off as it goes into a pack just to be sure.

 

[Philtrum]

I do the pack-unpack-repack thing, too. I've concluded that it's a ritual that, in handling my stuff over and over again, brings me closer to the trip itself. Someone once said there's a spiritual element in it, but I suspect it has more to do with a certain lunatic obsession (though one might also say there isn't much difference).

 

[Alan Gage]

My pre-season ritual is to, at the last possible minute, rush all the things I meant to get done over the winter.

Alan

 

[tump_lion]

sand, and varnish...

 

[Seeker]

If I forget something crucial the vehicle isn't far away and I could make the run into town to grab what i need (the price I would pay). Typically after that first trip all my stuff is pretty much situated for any other trips I may do.

Lewis and Clark did this, and apparently not just for "their" expedition, but individually, coming up as leaders over the years... they'd start a trip first thing in the morning, and make camp at noon. If anything had been forgotten, they could send a man back for it, and he could catch up by the next day without difficulty.

I don't have much trouble with gear, probably because I'm able to camp pretty much year round if I want to... my issues are more canoe-specific technique-related... if you don't use a skill, it vanishes... things like gear management in the canoe... where to stash your water and map & compass... physically lifting a canoe for portaging (getting it the right way round, paddles in the right direction). how to tie the paddles and fishing rod in for portaging. That sort of thing.

Happens with hunting too... just the mechanics of setting up a tree climber, getting yourself and gear into it, and then up and down the tree... I typically do a dry run a month or so before the bow season starts, for practice, much like your trip to the local park.

 

[red langford]

I was watching a Ray Mears canoe video last night and the idea of stopping after only a few miles on your first day was mentioned by Ray. He said the voyageurs who worked the The Hudson Bay company would do it this way as well. He said they called it something specific which I can't recall.

It was interesting, he was traveling solo except for the camera crew, producers, sound crew, assistants, catering team, hair stylists, and make-up people, but packed way heavy. Carrying a full size Baker tent, leather pouches containing sugars and flours and whatnot. It was also amongst the buggiest I've ever seen.

It's here if you want to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09yY9VINg84

 

[ppine]

I went on a week long winter canoe trip with a guy that was compulsive about his equipment. Every morning he took all of his equipment outside his tent and laid it on a tarp. Then he spent some time "organizing" it. Then he repacked it. In the winter there is not much daylight. We always had late starts each morning waiting for this guy. He was fine in all other respects but I vowed never to paddle with him again.

 

[dave0]

I break out all of my gear and start going through it. Set up the tent and check all the lines and try to clean out the sand/leaves that I missed in the late fall, air out the sleeping bag, check the air mattress for leaks, go through the cook kit, make sure I have new soap, scrubby. One year I found a pot that had "something" caked on it and was a nice nauseating fungal mess. Tossed that one quick! Check the water stove and water filter. Then I pack up my Duluth packs with the gear so all I have to do it grab the pack. I do treat my tents and tarps yearly with Netwix not cause they leak but it just gives me a peace of mind! I do all this because this gear is stowed in my barn in a metal cabinet but sometimes mice have found their way in. All my clothing is stored inside so that is all good.

 

[Mihun09]

I went on a week long winter canoe trip with a guy that was compulsive about his equipment. Every morning he took all of his equipment outside his tent and laid it on a tarp. Then he spent some time "organizing" it. Then he repacked it. In the winter there is not much daylight. We always had late starts each morning waiting for this guy. He was fine in all other respects but I vowed never to paddle with him again.

My OCD ain't that bad, whew!

 

[Srobocop]

Red Langford and Seeker thanks for sharing that. I never knew that it was a way of doing it. I just figured it was a way to get my feet wet every year without risking too much but I guess it makes sense... kinda cool.

 

[Iskweo]

We have a list?

 

[stripperguy]

I have been packing and repacking for a month now, in preparation for an early May trip. But that's just due to my excitement over the 1st trip of the season.
I always empty my pack before a trip to see if everything is still OK...blow up my mattress, set up my tent (in the living room!), check the Kelly Kettle.
Then I go out to the garage, check my boats and paddles and PFD's. Especially, I check those stems, depending on who paddled my boats last, there might be some serious scuffs, resin repairs take time, you know.
And that's about it...I do check my gear AFTER a trip too, to see what else I can intentionally leave behind next time.

 

[BWCA66]

I always lay it all out, look at my map and see how many and how long the portages are and decide what I can do without and then at the last minute I throw it back in. When I get home I always pile up everything I didn't use and say I won't take it next time but before next time I usually forget.

 

[snapper]

Wow, I'm amazed at all this activity. I guess I'm essentially lazy; that and I pretty much use the same stuff year after year. Since most of my trips are of the weekend up to 5 day variety, I pretty much just check my gear when I put it away and be sure I know where it is so I can pack it up when I'm ready. With this "system" all I really need to do is update/purchase food and supplies; i.e. fuel, first aid items, etc.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

PS - One thing that does help me is everything is stored in the exact same place after each trip so I'm never off looking for something.

 

[ppine]

I am currently working on a raft frame, and the arrangement of a cooler and a dry box. I ordered some more straps for it yesterday, which is how rafters hang and secure everything in a raft. I have a mesh floor with some small pieces of 3/4 inch plywood. The only thing left is to find a place for a passenger or two.

 

[latremorej]

I do the pack-unpack-repack thing, too. I've concluded that it's a ritual that, in handling my stuff over and over again, brings me closer to the trip itself. Someone once said there's a spiritual element in it, but I suspect it has more to do with a certain lunatic obsession (though one might also say there isn't much difference).

I couldn't have said it better myself