So Much Water volume 1 Issue 4 Fall 2015 | Page 19

Here's a list, not in order of importance, just a check list of things I don't want to forget.

1 Water or means to secure drinking water (Filtration systems, lifestraws, etc.)

2 Food

3 Shelter, bedding, camp stuff, rope, knife, first aid, sun screen, bug repellent

4 Clothing

5 Fire

6 Fishing gear

There isn't a need to explain the packing list. If you've camped you understand. However, all these things need to be scaled down if you're packing them in a kayak. That's where the weight can really add up and paddling it down a river isn't fun. I know that morning cup of freshly brewed Keurig coffee and scrambled eggs with bacon will be missed. But running a rapid, hitting a tree, and ending up in the drink because you turned your mini river cooper into the Branson Belle sucks worse. Moving on.

Depending on the length of the trip water becomes extremely heavy. 2-3 days and packing bottles of water isn't an issue. But anything over that and you'll need to think about a filtration system (and back-up system). "One is none and 2 is one", echoes in my head when I think about water and fire. Bring a back up, just in case the primary fails.

Since I don't bring a cooler, yes I realize a Yeti will keep ice forever, but that thing weights 800 lbs, food will be dry, canned, or dehydrated. I prefer dehydrated because it doesn't weight much, has lots of calories, and pack easily. Spam, vienna sausage, granola bars, trail mix, bagels, bread, and PB&J are all on my list. In the end, it's only about the calories, taste is irreverent. I'll be fishing to hard to notice.

Shelter, I rarely bring a tent. A cot and tarp are my favorite choice. Sets up quickly and keeps me off the ground. I also like hammocks but they can't be used anywhere.

Clothing, bedding, camp stuff (flash light (1), matches, fire starter, and everything else) follow the same theme. Keep it light and easy to pack. I can pack everything into 1 dry bag. I put my clothing (1 change) on bottom, next bedding, then the other stuff because that's probably how I'll remove them when needed. Don't be they guy unpacking his entire pack because the fire starter is at the bottom of the dry bag.

And don't forget the fishing gear. Turning a normal 1 day float into 2 days means all that water that everyone else paddles through in the afternoons, you'll be fishing it in the morning. That is why I do it and I hate public campgrounds.

This isn't an all inclusive list just a starting point. Depending on where and the time of year some other items would be necessary. Example, if I were going to Yellowstone National Park better believe I'd have some bear spray and bring someone I can out run.