• Choose a location that is within your comfort zone/skills

  • Research/read trip reports online to see if it matches 

your needs (myCCR.com, books, etc.)

• Talk to friends for advice/suggestions

• Choose a method of travel that you are comfortable with and have practiced

• Consider taking a short, “shakedown” trip to test your gear

• Consider paddling with someone experienced at first

• Know how to read a map and use a compass/GPS

  • Maps like Maps by Jeff  (formerly Unlostify) are great for planning/navigating

  • Don’t just depend on your phone! (and bring a battery bank just in case)

• Choose locations with easy and accessible put ins/take outs

• Consider taking a boat safety course with the club before you go!

• Provincial parks or conservation area are good 

starting places

• Good infrastructure at campsites

• Good trail/portage/campsite markings

• Base camp with day paddling is a good option to start out

• Consider a route with bailout options in case of bad weather/equipment issues/health issues

• Choose distances that you can cover fairly easily – paddling a loaded boat is different than an empty one!

• Determine the halfway point – if something goes wrong after this point, you will likely continue forward rather than going back

• Leave a trip plan with family/friends!

• Most of your regular camping gear can be used, especially at first

• Some specialized equipment needed:

  • Small tent – you have to carry it and many sites are small

  • Single burner stove with canister or white gas– particularly if there is any chance of a fire ban, also protects the site from overuse of wood

• Regular clothing is fine 

• Consider the fabric

  • avoid cotton in cool/cold/wet weather 

– long time to dry and cools you off 

(this can be good in summer!)

• quick-dry, athletic wear is good

• plan for bugs – have clothing for morning/evening that keeps bugs off (some clothing with permethrin can repel bugs)

• Dress like an onion – in layers!

• Bring multi-functional clothing eg. raincoat is also a layer for evening cool

• Bring clothing to sleep in

  • you don’t want to sleep in clothes with food smell/wet clothes

  • sleep clothing can be a backup if other clothes get drenched

• Bring shoes that can get wet eg. getting in and out of the boat + dry shoes for land/portaging

• Bring food that is safe without refrigeration

  • Frozen food can be eaten early in the trip

  • Lots of fresh food lasts for days

  • Lots of “regular food” works but no cans/bottles

• Dried food is lighter – food can be brought and 

cooked on the trip or dehydrated ahead of time 

and rehydrated on the trip

• Aim for 1 pot meals if you can – saves cleaning and fuel

• Repackage food before leaving

  • Remove excess packaging (weight, waste you have to bring back)

  • Bring portion amounts that you need – not too much (but not too little either!)

  • Make sure it is waterproofed

• Pack an emergency meal in case you are storm-stayed

• Know how to reduce smells/bear-proof your food

• Leave no trace (and no tp)

• Some backcountry campsites will have a privy aka “thunder box”

• If you are travelling, go off the trail (but not too far – you don’t want to get lost) 

• Collect tp in a plastic/paper bag to burn later 

– or consider using a pee rag

• Dig a shallow hole (cat hole) and 

bury solid waste if there is no privy

• Plan ahead and prepare

• Travel and camp on durable surfaces

• Dispose of waste properly

• Leave what you find

• Minimize campfire impacts

• Respect wildlife

• Be considerate of other visitors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpq01rO9ZR0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=abQ44iG2unY

• Sound travels over water – be aware

• Bring a fishing rod and a license

• Be careful gathering wild food

• Repair kits!!

• Bear spray

• Quick the dates on your meds

• Have emergency contact info for everyone