My recent trip down the Magpie in Quebec, Canada, was my first self-supported multi-day kayaking trip. When I was preparing for the trip I spent some time chatting with other paddlers and researching on-line about what kit I needed to take. I struggled to find a list online of recommended items so, having completed the trip, I have compiled a kit list of items that I would take next time.
Paddling Kit
Kayak (think about how much space there is for kit as well as how easy it is to get kit in and out – I took a Jackson Villain, others in the group had Dagger Nomad 8.5, Pyranha Everest, Pyranha Burn M, Liquidlogic Jefe, Jackson Hero)
Throwline
Safety knife
Whistle
Helmet
Cag / Dry trousers / Drysuit
Thermals
Spare thermals
Buoyancy aid
Spraydeck
Pin kit
Paddles
Split paddles
Drybags (I took a mixture of Ortleib medium weight drybags and Watershed drybags. Next time I’ll take Watershed Stow Floats – pricey but definitely worth it)
Airbags
String/rope to tie in drybags and other kit
Water filter bottle
Satellite Phone (We took one for the group. We were too remote to use mobile phones)
Camp Kit
Gas stove (we took one stove between 2)
Saucepan (I took a one litre trangia pan)
Saucepan handle (preferably detachable – otherwise gets hot when cooking on an open fire)
Saucepan lid (speeds up cooking)
Firesteel (great for firestarting if your lighter gets wet – I took this one: Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel – Scout)
Spork
Mug
Lighter
Cotton Wool
Vaseline (vaseline soaked cotton wool is a brilliant fire-lighter)
Toilet rolls
Drybag for toilet roll (I didn’t take a separate dry-bag and my toilet roll got damp on day one!)
Sun hat
Wolly hat
Down jacket/gilet (even though it was warm enough during the day and evening, mornings are cold)
Long sleeve / short-sleeve t-shirts or shirts
Fleece
Trousers
Socks / Warm socks
Shoes (I took crocs as they are light and don’t absorb water)
Bivi / one man tent (I took a Nemo GoGo LE – I’m 6’6″ and had plenty of space, it packs up small and is light)
Sleeping mat (I took a Nemo Astro Air – packs up very small, is very light and, at 6cm thick, makes for a great nights sleep!)
Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag liner (I took a silk one – adds warmth and means I don’t have to worry about getting the bag dirty as I get in and out)
Tarp (we took 3 between 6 of us)
Towel (I took one of those really small travel towels)
Antibacterial hand wash
Zip ties
First aid kit
Gaffa tape
Head torch (I took a Silva Ninox – waterproof and uses standard AAA batteries)
Sewing kit (Was used to sew up a hole in a spraydeck)
Scrubber sponge (for cleaning pan and stuff)
Washing suds
Insect repellent
Mozzie head net
Food
Multi-day food (7 days)
The photo above shows what food I took for my trip. We expected the trip to take 6 days so I took food for 7 to ensure that I had enough if something went wrong.
I took the following:
7 x Dried pasta/rice/noodle dishes (1 per day for dinner)
14 x Porridge sachets (2 each day for breakfast)
7 x Coffee sachets (1 per day for breakfast)
1 x Block of cheese (chunk each day for lunch)
17 x Pepperoni sticks (2 per day for lunch and then some spare – they came in packs of 17!)
7 x Energy bars (1 per day – afternoon snack)
14 x Cereal bars (2 per day – 1 at elevenses and 1 at lunch)
6 x Chocolate bars (1 per day for dinner – I would have taken 7 but I only had 6)
1 x Bag of trail mix (for general munching)
1 x Instant noodles (spare)
Some salt and pepper sachets for flavouring food
If you think I have missed something, let me know I I will update the list.