In-depth

Previous In-depths Landmark land settlement Carbon Conundrum Caribou in Canada The Mackenzie Delta Torngat Mountains Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) Travels with Louis British Columbia's Gulf Islands Moose on the loose Sustainable cities Icebergs Canada's musical landscape Quebec's James Bay Ottawa Valley Green with jade Hunting for cures Wild horses Canada's Bison Canada's place in the world Lessons learned in schools Power of powwows Cougars in Canada Greenland sharks Boreal birds Arctic grizzlies Lake Erie's Fire in the boreal forest Energy matters Parks for all Bighorn sheep Finding our way in the wilderness Shipwrecks of Nova Scotia Canada's grizzly bears

How to plan a successful canoe trip
By Kris Popp

Looking for ways to broaden your outdoor adventure repertoire? If you enjoy camping and you’d like to add another dimension to your backwoods experience, consider a canoe trip. Paddling your way through the wilderness can be a wonderful opportunity to get some exercise, socialize with friends and explore wildlands that are normally inaccessible. Although these trips require very careful, thorough planning, with some research and guidance, even beginners can arrange a trip suitable to their goals and needs.

Jamie Johnston, a canoe enthusiast and retired teacher who has coordinated many canoeing expeditions, suggests that one of the first considerations ought to be whether your trip will be self guided, or supported through an outfitting company or an independent guide. It is extremely important that the trip you plan matches the ability level of your group. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and choose shorter, fewer portages (even a half-mile portage can feel grueling) and choose bodies of water that will be safely navigable for all members of your group.

And who exactly will those members be? A canoe trip requires teamwork, a positive attitude, a healthy work ethic and an ability to problem solve and have fun without the many comforts of home, so choose your expedition partners wisely. It is recommended that you have a minimum of three boats on your trip (if something happens to one of the boats, you can still get everyone home in the other two), but many more than that can become cumbersome.

In terms of supplies, there are many items you’ll need to bring. For anything above and beyond the necessities, Johnston cautions you to consider how much comfort it will bring you while camping, versus how much discomfort it will cause you while portaging. Keep in mind that most, if not all, of the necessary equipment can be rented through an outfitting company, so before purchasing any expensive items, it may be wise to try out the experience first.

Here is a list of items you’ll need for a successful trip:

a canoe (the lighter the better and suitable to the type of waterways you’ll be traveling) 3 paddles per canoe life jackets a tent (again, a light, waterproof one is best) a tarp and rope a large lightweight backpack dry bags (get these in a variety of sizes to make it easier to organize and find things) a sleeping bag suitable to the temperatures you’ll encounter a Therm-a-Rest or some other form of sleeping pad a map and compass cooking gear (a white gas or naphtha gas stove, lightweight camping pots and utensils) dishes a foldable saw waterproof matches and a lighter a flashlight a whistle a bailer a collapsible pail a first aid kit sunscreen (sunglasses and a hat as well) lip balm

toiletries including toilet paper and biodegradable soap a repair kit (including duct tape and epoxy) a utility knife a food bag or barrel (to hang your food from a tree at night) insect repellent (a bug jacket, head screen and bug tent as well depending on your trip) a water bottle water purification equipment (a filter and/or iodine tablets for instance) rope clothes (Always plan for the wettest, coldest, worst conditions just in case. Have at least one complete change of clothes. Avoid jeans and cotton. Polar fleece is warm and keeps moisture away from your skin. Wool will keep you warm even when it’s wet. Don’t forget rain gear. Neoprene boots or socks are great for in the canoe, while hiking boots are suitable for land use.) food (What you bring will depend on the length of your trip. You’ll want to consider not only nutritive value, but how well it will keep, how well will it travel, and how much will it weigh? Dried foods are lightweight, highly portable and won’t go bad.)

Once you have all your gear, there are some important tips for your time on the water:

1. Load and unload the boat while it’s in the water. This will be easier on you and the canoe. Make sure the load is balanced.

2. Safely secure all of your equipment to the canoe. The exact way in which you do this may depend on the type of water you’ll be paddling, and with what level of ease you want to be able to free your items from the canoe if you capsize. Be deliberate in your placement of items. Keep frequently used items handy and easily accessed.

3. As a rule, the person in the back should be the more experienced, skilled canoeist. In the group of canoes, the most experienced boaters should be in the first and last canoes with the first aid equipment. Canoeing alone is not advised, and it is everyone else’s responsibility to remain between the first and last boats.

4. Stay low and steady in the canoe. Avoid making sudden movements and do not stand up. In rough waters, you can get down onto your knees for even greater stability.

5. Canoe close to shore. Not only is this safer, it’s where you’ll find the most interesting scenery.

6. Make sure to leave some space around your feet. If you capsize, you don’t want your feet to become trapped, holding you underwater.

7. If you capsize in a current, don’t try to stand or put your feet down. If your foot gets caught in something, or between two rocks, the current can hold you down and drown you.

8. If you capsize, stay with the canoe where it is safe to do so. In swiftly moving waters, you want to remain upstream of the boat. A canoe full of water can weigh as much as a car — you don’t want to find yourself between a rock and that much weight.

9. Always wear your life jacket, and always paddle sober.

Of course, during the on-land portion of your trip you’ll want to be low-impact campers. Pack out all of your garbage, do all of your washing (even with biodegradable soap) at least 100 metres away from the lake or river, and consider using a white gas stove or environmental stove instead of a traditional fire for cooking.

The work involved in preparing for a canoe trip can feel overwhelming and even intimidating. However, with adequate research, proper planning, and workable equipment, you can create a highly enjoyable and memorable experience for yourself and your traveling companions.

top