Personal Equipment

Note, Nov. 2013: This list was assembled in 2002 as a GUIDE to preparing your personal equipment list for a trip. There have been advances in clothing and equipment since that time and the list has not be updated to include these advances. That must be done by anyone using this list as well as adding other items needed for your trip.

The personal equipment needed by an individual varies. The information listed below is combined from two lists. The first is a list provided for Scout canoe trips taken in the Boundary Waters area of Minnesota. The second is from a canoe trip in the Barren Lands of Northwest Territories below the Arctic Circle. The list includes what you will be wearing when you start paddling and the extra clothes taken ‘on the water’.

I have entered comments where differences existed. BW indicates comments from the Boundary Waters list and BL indicates comments from the Barren Lands list. The Boundary Waters requirements probably do not provide enough warm clothing and the barren lands list probably provides too much warm clothing.

Some things to consider when determining your personal gear requirements:

The mean July high temperature for the area being canoed is 72 F
The mean July low temperature is 49 F
All personal gear for two people needs to fit into a 7000 cu. in. pack (your gear should be less than 3500 cu. in.)
Personal gear includes sleeping bag and pad, clothes, camp shoes, toilet kit, etc.
Ideally items needed during the day such as cameras, rain gear, etc., should also be packed on the top of the gear pack to minimize the number of items we have to handle. SMALL daypacks can be used.
Personal gear needs to be packed in waterproof bags.
Compression sacks (ones that compress length-wise) for sleeping bags and clothes are very useful. Be sure they fit inside your larger waterproof bag (the diameter can often be a problem).
Black flies should not be a MAJOR problem, but we probably will encounter other biting insects in addition to mosquitoes.

REMEMBER, VOLUME IS CRITICAL. KEEP IT AS LOW AS YOU CAN.

ITEM	COMMENTS BW = BOUNDARY WATERS, BL = BARREN LANDS
Sleeping Bag	BW: +35 F. Max. compressed size: 10 in. diam. x 18 in. long BL: Comfortable between 25 and 70 F. Compressed max. size: x 15 in. diam. x 16 in. long
Sleeping pad (Therm-a-rest type)	BW: Consider ľ length. Do not use bulky, open-cell pads BL: Max. rolled size: 8 in. diam. x 12 in. long
Underwear: 2 - 4 pr. Poly-cotton or synthetic 1 set long. (top and bottom)	Long underwear can double as PJ’s if you want or can be used to get warm if you get wet.
Socks 3 - 4 pr. Wool or wicking synthetic.	One pair that will get wet while paddling and 2 dry pair for camp
Long-sleeved Shirts: 1 or 2	Loose-fitting, work-type shirts BL: One should have openings on front and sleeves sealed with Velcro to protect against black flies.
T-Shirts: 2 max.
Bathing Suit/Shorts
Long Pants and Belt: 1 or 2 pair	BW: Loose fitting, lightweight synthetic or a cotton/synthetic blend. BL: Loose-fitting, heavy cotton, heavy drill or duck. 50% cotton 50% polyester is fast drying. BL: Clothes are the first line of protection against biting insects so lightweight and tight-fitting clothes should be avoided. Black flies are least attracted to light colors; tan is best. Blue attracts black flies.
Jacket	BW: 1 Lightweight synthetic fleece BL: Some combination of light-weight garment and a jacket. Could consist of wool sweaters, down vest, wool jacket, down jacket, etc.
Foot Wear Boots with good ankle support Camp shoes	BW: Camp shoes. Lightweight and comfortable sneakers or moccasins. No sandals, “water socks” or “river slippers” BL: Boots at least 3 inches above the ankle BL: Camp shoes. Light-weight shoes. Sandals are not recommended (because of increased risk of injury and lack of protection from biting insects)
Head gear: Brimmed hat with chin strap Knit/ski cap
Gloves	BL: 1 pr. Leather or cotton (work-type), 1 pr. Ski type
Insect Protection: Insect repellant Head net Net-type insect-repelling jacket	Head net and net-type jacket were on the Barren Lands list.
Toilet Kit: Towel Hand soap Toothbrush Toothpaste Shampoo Comb	We will purchase toilet paper as part of the crew gear.
Glasses: Sun glasses Glass strap
Other items: Sun block lotion Chap stick Handkerchiefs/bandana Personal medicines Binoculars Sewing kit Camera, film, batteries Notebook and pen Reading material Compass Fishing gear (optional) Water bottle Spoon Pocket knife	We will purchase cups and bowls for eating. They will nest together thus taking less room to pack. If you want an insulated cup for hot drinks you will need to bring it. Be sure to bring a spoon! Your pocket knife will work for a knife and there is no need for a fork. It is just extra baggage.
Water-proof gear bag.	The gear packs will not be water proof. You need to bring water proof bags for things you want to keep dry.
Paddling gear PFD Paddle	I assume everyone has their own PFD. If you do not, let me know and we'll get one. Canadian law requires that the PFD be red, yellow or orange. The same goes for paddles. If you do not have or want to bring yours, let me know and we'll bring one for you. We will bring one extra paddle per canoe.
Documents Medical history Drivers license Passport	Medical History: You should have a physical before leaving on any extended trip. You should also bring a medical form listing your medical history, all medications being taken and a list of contacts in case of an emergency.

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Last updated: November 24, 2013