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Trip Planning The following information is a limited summary of useful planning tips, techniques, and suggested equipment for doing multi-day trips using Feathercraft folding kayaks. This information is meant as an outline of reminders for experienced kayakers and outdoor enthusiasts; it is not a teaching or learning tool. We welcome any ideas and tips from our readers and customers to help us develop this information. Follow this link to our Safety Checklist.
Match your skill level with the trip you're planning. When in doubt, plan a trip in easier water conditions than your current skill level. Multi-day trips are usually rated one level of difficulty higher because of the greater level of uncertainty associated with them. This is also the case when planning to paddle in foreign countries.
Even if your group is just a bunch of friends, every trip needs a leader. The leader can delegate duties, but one person must be responsible for making sure all the necessary arrangements and reservations are made and that group needs are met. Often the person who initiates the trip and invites the other paddlers winds up being the defacto group leader. If you are the leader, you have some work to do. If you are a group member, consider offering to help the leader. Pre-trip Planning Trip Location
Trip Goals Discuss an upcoming trip with potential participants and come to a decision on trip goals, objectives, and timeline. Depending on this decision, group members may drop out and new members join. It is important that each group member agree with the trip goals and objectives and be able to handle the paddling.
Four or five hours of paddling or about 13 to 16 NM per day is plenty for most groups with average skill levels. Smaller groups with experienced paddlers can cover more distance, so consider the trip goals and group skill levels when planning distances to be covered each day. If possible, plan for layover days in scenic areas with good camping and opportunities for day trips or hiking. At least one layover day for every four paddling days is often a good ratio. Although you may not need it, it is always good to have the extra time in case you get pinned down by a storm or injury. Group Gear Decide on necessary group gear, i.e. first aid kit, water filters, stoves, fuel, spare paddles, kitchen tarp, food-storage systems, etc. Establish who will bring what - have enough (including backup gear), but avoid unnecessary duplication. Individual Safety Gear Each paddler should bring the following individual safety gear:
Trip Reminders Safety gear; fully-charged batteries in VHF, GPS, cameras, etc. Transportation Options Define air and ground transportation options and share with group. Make sure everyone is aware of costs and opportunities for using airline mileage plans to acquire tickets. Trip leader is responsible for making lodging reservations, arrangements for ground transportation; and arranging logistics with water taxis or floatplanes. E-mail Pre-Trip Information Send itinerary and contact list to participants. Suggest equipment - help paddlers minimize gear and pack efficiently. Float Plan File float plan with families of trip participants and proper authorities at destination. Leadership During Trip Daily Weather Get up-to-date weather forecast and apprise group of forecast. Group Dynamics Be aware of group dynamics and inter-personal relationships; be aware of member illnesses and physical ability to paddle; be aware of paddling skill limitations. Daily Objectives Discuss and agree on daily objectives with group, i.e. making miles versus exploring. Consider bailout spots and lunch breaks (try not to paddle over two and a half hours without a stop). Planned destinations - every paddler should know where the planned lunch stop and campsite are each day. Paddling Considerations
The trip leader may want to initiate a review of procedures to be followed should anything out of the comfort zone happen, i.e. missing paddler, splitting up to check routes or find campsites, etc. If things are going awry, every paddler should turn on their VHF radios and be prepared to communicate on a previously agreed-upon channel. If weather or sea conditions change for the worse, paddlers should move closer together in a group. When planning to paddle in rough conditions, i.e. paddle around a cape or embark on a crossing, paddlers should group closer together and be able to hear each other. What to Take The conditions you expect will have a significant impact on the camping equipment, kayaking gear, and clothing you will need. Are you going to be paddling in the open ocean and landing on exposed coasts or navigating more protected waterways? Will the water be warm or cold? What sort of weather can you anticipate? The answers to all these questions will influence what you take. The following list is a good starting point for planning your gear needs for trips in temperate, coastal zones such as Alaska. To get the most enjoyment out of a trip, we recommend taking enough equipment to be safe and comfortable, but don't carry unnecessary gear. The equipment required on any particular trip or expedition often includes, but is not necessarily limited to, what we have listed.
Other Essential Gear (depending on type of trip)
Paddling Clothes (for trips in cold water, i.e. Alaska)
Insulation -In addition to your outer shell, you will need insulating layers underneath to stay warm and dry. The 100-weight pile liner is wonderful for paddlers who tend to get cold, but I prefer separate top and bottom OuterCore garments by Kokatat for maximum layering flexibility. Paddling Footwear - I prefer technical paddling shoes rather than rubber boots because they are comfortable, lightweight, and they pack easily. Rubber boots that have webbing straps to tighten the tops are another alternative for those who like better foot coverage and support. However, I recommend against using the standard rubber irrigation boot or "Ketchikan sneaker." These are fine on land, but if you are wearing them in your kayak and you capsize and have to wet exit, you will likely lose one or both boots. This can have serious consequences on a multi-day trip. Emergency Bailout Kit (store on PFD or in dry suit pocket)
Personal Shelter and Sleeping Gear
Personal Kitchen Items
Trip Clothes
"Going Home" Clothes (pack separately in small dry bag)
Miscellaneous
Toilet Kit
Group gear must be accounted for by the trip leader and the responsibility to procure and carry divided among trip participants.
Group First Aid Kit Each paddler should bring a personal first aid kit with basic items for initial wound care, but each group should have a comprehensive first aid kit for follow-up wound care and more significant injuries. I recommend the following items stowed in an X-small dry bag: scissors, tweezers, wound closure strips, syringe for wound irrigation, Polysporin ointment, latex gloves, antiseptic towelettes, safety pins, 4" x 4" sterile dressings, non-adherent dressings, 2" conforming gauze bandage, duct tape, strip and knuckle bandages, mole skin, diphenhydramine, Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), Aspirin, antidiarrheal medication, Epinephrine*, Vicodin*, (* Available by prescription only). Although it may seem cheaper to buy all these components and assemble your own first-aid kit, you may save both time and money by purchasing a commercially available kit and adding specific ingredients to fit your needs. Group Kayak Repair Kit
Restricted Items for Air Travel All knives are prohibited in your carry-on items, but may be taken on board in checked baggage. Due to security and safety concerns, the following items often used on kayaking trips cannot be taken on board as carry-on luggage or as checked baggage on regular commercial aircraft (these restrictions do not apply to floatplanes in Alaska):
I carry a flint-type fire starter tool and pickup lighters and stove fuel at my destination. Sometimes Counter Assault is available from your floatplane or water taxi operator, as cans are often left behind by previous travelers. I rely on the Rescue Laser flare rather than pyrotechnic flares for emergency signaling. This list is not comprehensive and paddlers should check TSA regulations and the baggage policies of the airline they are using to ensure compliance. This link will take you directly to the TSA Website regarding prohibited items: TSA Prohibited Items. Stoves I use a Primus Omni Fuel stove with iso/butane fuel canisters and an MSR Pocket Rocket stove as a backup. Iso/butane fuel canisters can often be found at a hardware store near most paddling destinations, but it is a good idea to call ahead to ensure you will be able to purchase the right fuel canister. I make sure my stoves are clean and free of fumes before traveling. I no longer take liquid gas stoves as I have had them confiscated by TSA authorities because of the gas smell, especially in the pump mechanism. Baggage Commercial airlines are becoming more restrictive in what baggage they allow on board and are charging more fees for excess baggage and overweight bags. Rather than attempt to cover the regulations here, I recommend you check with your airline to learn what their current policies are. Most airlines charge extra for bags weighing over 50 pounds and many are charging for a second checked bag.
Before the trip, I re-package all food in Ziploc bags to minimize volume, reduce weight, and reduce garbage. I don't bring glass bottles - they are heavy and might break; a few cans of meat are okay - they don't take up much space, but are heavy until used. After use, I smash them flat and pack them away carefully with the other garbage in Ziploc bags. I pack each breakfast and lunch separately in Ziploc plastic bags. By doing this extra step at home, I know exactly how much food I have, each meal is ready to eat, and they don't require cooking. Everyone has different ideas about what food to bring, but here is a list of foods I often take on a multi-day trip (note that many items are dense and packed with nutrition): Breakfast Homemade granola with dried blueberries, raspberries, or cranberries (3/4 cup granola, ¼ cup dried fruit, 2 T powdered soy milk per day). Prepare each breakfast at home in individual Ziploc bags; serve with cold or hot water. Fresh ground coffee in Ziploc bag - I brew coffee in camp using a SwissGold tea filter Lunch (about 8 oz. per day) - Prepare at home in individual Ziploc bags - separate nuts and jerky from dried fruit and sweets.
Dinners
To maximize the enjoyment and minimize the effort on any folding kayak adventure, experienced paddlers minimize their gear and carry everything in the most efficient manner. We recommend packing your paddling gear along with your kayak in the Feathercraft backpack or in a large 36-inch duffel rather than the backpack to minimize weight and packing volume. Use the sea sock, spray skirt, and paddling gear for padding to protect the kayak frame, especially the ends of the tubing. All your other camping gear, clothing, and food should fit in a large 36-inch duffel and a 24-inch carry-on duffel. I prefer the large 36-inch duffel from Seattle Sports that has a mesh top, but heavy-duty vinyl on the bottom for my camping gear. This duffel stands up well to air travel and allows wet gear to dry. I use the smaller 24-inch duffel from NRS for the carry-on. To avoid surprises at the launch site, pack your kayak with everything you plan to take before you leave home. Based on experience, I know that if I can get all my camping equipment and personal gear into a 36-inch and 24-inch duffel, I know it will fit inside my Feathercraft. Rather than trying to fit your gear into a few large dry bags, use smaller dry bags in a variety of shapes. Smaller bags are much easier to stow and can be organized more easily by function or type of gear. We recommend the envelope-shaped Stratus and Cyclone dry sacks from Seattle Sports - these bags slide easily into your kayak and are available in several useful sizes. Before you leave home, pack your gear in the dry bags and load the bags into the duffel. With this configuration, you can walk some distance with the kayak on your back and balanced loads of gear in each hand, or sling the 24-inch duffel over a shoulder and carry the kayak and camping gear in each hand. Packing the Kayak If you are returning to your launch point, you may be able to reduce your gear load by leaving the backpack, large duffel bag, and "going home" clothing with someone at the put-in. However, if you must take everything with you, we recommend packing the backpack, large duffel bag, and any items you won't need during your trip (i.e. "going home clothes") in the far bow and stern ends of the frame before inserting the frame into the skin. This will make the most efficient use of your space.
Make sure you have items you may need during the day in a handy location that you can reach from the cockpit (the Paddlers Supply deck bag works great). This might include a quart of water, compass, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, bug dope, emergency gear, kayak sling straps, camera, binoculars, and bear spray. Make sure your safety gear is handy and that your paddle float and bilge pump are fastened securely to the deck. I use the webbing straps used to tie up the kayak skin to lash my spare paddle, pump, and float securely to the stern deck. Make sure you can reach your spare paddle while sitting in the cockpit. Except for a low-profile deck bag, it is generally a good idea to avoid lashing baggage to the deck of your kayak. Gear on the deck tends to raise the center of gravity and catch wind, destabilizing the kayak and adversely affecting performance. If you have so much gear that it needs to be packed on the deck, review your gear needs and try to reduce. Typical Gear Placement - for Wisper or Kahuna (with stern hatch) Inside bow
On bow deck
Inside cockpit
Inside stern hatch
On stern deck
Protect your equipment - Use as much padding as possible inside the backpack to protect the frame tubing and cockpit coaming. Attach the sprayskirt and sea sock to the coaming. Wrap the frame pieces with the sea sock. Be especially careful to cushion the ends of the frame tubing with the sea sock, cockpit cover, extra clothing, or paddling gear. Tagging your gear - Attach sturdy name tags to the kayak backpack, all duffels, and your deck bag. Airline Baggage regulations and Weight Limitations - There are new baggage regulations, so we recommend you check with your airline for the latest requirements. Limitations and excess baggage fees may vary between airlines. In general, for travel between points in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, you are allowed one free checked bag, one carry-on bag up to 24 inches long (24" x 17" x 10" ), and a purse or personal bag, i.e. deck bag. If the first checked bag weighs under 50 pounds, it is usually free. Some airlines (Alaska for example) charge $25 for bags 50 to 70 pounds, and $50 for bags 70 to 100 pounds. Weigh your bags at home and see what you can do to rearrange your gear to meet the guidelines. I carry onboard my heavy food in a 24-inch mesh duffel and my deck bag with VHF, camera, binoculars - gear that is both heavy and valuable. Make sure all knives are in your checked bags, not in your carry-on bags, and ensure you are not inadvertently trying to check prohibited items. Stoves such as the Primus OmniFuel stove can often be checked as long as they have been cleaned and are free of gas fumes. Empty fuel bottles can also be checked, but they must be open and free of gas odors. Security personnel have some discretion, so one cannot count on these items getting through. I generally put a piece of tape on each questionable item explaining that it has been cleaned and is free of fumes. For your safety, commercial airlines prohibit butane lighters, strike-anywhere matches, pyrotechnic flares, "bear spray," stove fuel, and pressurized gas canisters - don't even try to get these through security or in your checked baggage (alaskaair.com/www2/help/faqs/CheckedBaggage.asp). I have used the Kahuna and the Wisper for 10-day trips (and longer) in Alaska - both checked bags weighed under 50 pounds each. I carried onboard my deck bag and 25 pounds of food in a 24-inch mesh duffel. Important: Make sure you check your gear when you arrive at your destination to ensure your stove and all its parts are accounted for. After you have started your trip, you don't want to find out that a fuel pump or other part has been confiscated by TSA authorities. Customs - There are usually no problems getting through customs, but one never knows what could be encountered. The less said the better (doesn't everybody transport a boat in a bag?), but you should be prepared to explain what is in the pack. You may want to call it "water sports equipment" first, before trying to describe a folding kayak. If they don't understand, you should have your assembly instructions handy to show them how it is put together. Customs officials often need to make sure you're not trying to import an item for sale, so you may want to have your sales receipt handy to show that you own it and are returning it to the United States. You probably don't want to appear that you're just a "kayak bum" planning to camp and not spend money, so it's always a good idea to be dressed neatly, behave accordingly, and don't wear sunglasses. Getting back into the U.S.A. may also require that you show proof that you didn't purchase the boat on your trip which could entail duty charges... another good reason to have your sales receipt handy. Insurance - Check your homeowners or renters policy. Coverage is variable between companies, so it's hard to say whether or not your coverage would be adequate. Some travel insurance policies will cover equipment during transportation to your destination. Health Considerations - Be especially careful what you eat and drink before a multi-day kayak trip, especially in areas of uncertain health standards. Even a mild case of diarrhea can ruin your trip! Make sure you have the necessary inoculations and check with local authorities about unusual circumstances you should watch out for. Make sure you are aware of potentially dangerous animals, both terrestrial and marine. Feathercraft kayaks are strong and durable, but they can be damaged by improper handling, especially while on land. Remember... if you damage your kayak, you could ruin your whole trip, not to mention becoming stranded in a remote location. Assemble your kayak carefully - take your time. Assemble the frame on top of the skin or on grass, not in sand or dirt, to avoid getting sand in the joints. Find a flat spot, as uneven terrain may adversely affect the assembly process. In warm weather, try to find an assembly location in the shade. If left in the sun, the tubing gets hot and expands and the skin may shrink a bit, making your kayak difficult to assemble. If it is a warm day, you may want to wet the kayak skin to cool it down and loosen it up. Frame parts should fit together relatively easily... don't force them. If the tubing pieces are hard to join, they are most likely not properly aligned. Try pulling them toward the center of the kayak to align them enough so they slide together. It's a good idea to use Super Lube or Bo-Shield T9 on all the joints when you pack up the kayak at home. Watch out for the sponsons - make sure they are fully inflated before launching, but be careful not to let them over-inflate if the kayak is left out of the water in the sun. Carry the kayak to the water unloaded, then use the sea sock to carry your gear to the kayak. Never lift a loaded kayak by the ends. If you have to carry a loaded boat, use two people, lifting the weight as close to the cockpit as possible. Nylon webbing straps can be placed around the kayak about a foot in front of the cockpit and a foot behind it, then two people can straddle the kayak and carry it fully loaded into the water. This is even easier with four people. When launching, wear footwear that you plan to get wet so you can get the boat well into the water before getting in. This will minimize the potential for abrasion. Occasionally, you may need to slide your loaded kayak a few feet over sand, dirt, smooth gravel, or cobbles as you launch, but never drag it over barnacles, sharp rocks, coral, or broken glass. Haul your kayak up to your campsite - don't leave it on the beach - and secure it so it won't wash or blow away, even when it is in camp. Use a cockpit cover to keep rodents, insects, beach hoppers, and other vermin out. Never leave food inside your kayak overnight, especially in bear country. Bears are curious, so it is best to hide your kayaks as much as possible or bring them up beside your tents to reduce the chance of an encounter. When leaving your kayak on a beach in a populated area, take your paddle with you. Don't make it easy for someone to steal your boat.
As it may be impossible to pitch a tent in some sites, the coastal kayaker should be prepared to use a tarp rather than a tent. This arrangement can accommodate narrow sleeping spots nestled in beach logs - a well-placed tarp can keep the rain and wind at bay. If you pitch a tent, the extra tarp can provide additional cover to keep your tent drier and provide a sheltered spot to dress and hang out. Establish a separate kitchen area covered by a tarp so cooking and food odors are not associated with the sleeping area; this is especially important in bear habitat. Store food in bear-proof canisters or hang it at least 12 feet high away from camp (200 feet is recommended). Leave No Trace Principles - Temperate Coastal Zones Leave No Trace (LNT) principles are universal for all regions of the United States. Specific information within each principle may vary from place to place, depending on the local environment and activity pursued. It is important to remember that LNT principles are guidelines, not rules. Consider your surroundings, local regulations, weather concerns, and your skill level when choosing the best way to Leave No Trace. Special considerations specific to a particular region or activity are included in more detailed LNT information. Plan Ahead and Prepare
Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces
Pack It In, Pack It Out
Properly Dispose of What You Can't Pack Out
Leave What You Find
Minimize Use and Impact of Fires
For more information, to make a purchase, or to schedule a demo, call toll-free 1-800-586-9318 (U.S.A. and Canada), phone 970-375-1479 (international), or e-mail gear@foldingkayak.com. |
Proper planning will also help you decide what kayaks to use.
The Wisper, Kahuna, and Java are easy to pack around when traveling and will
carry enough gear for most multi-day trips if fresh water is available every
few days. The K1 Expedition will accommodate larger paddlers and still hold
lots of gear. The Khatsalano may be just right for an extended trip if you
are prepared to pack efficiently. If there are two of you, note that two
singles will hold more gear than a K2 or Klondike. The K2 is extremely seaworthy
in rough conditions and it holds more gear than the Klondike; the Klondike
provides the option of double or solo seating configurations. Both the K2
and Klondike accommodate a sailing rig.
Remember, planning your trip can be
half the fun! Deciding where to go can be a challenge for folding kayakers
because they can paddle almost anywhere. For example, in Southeast Alaska,
a floatplane can drop you off just about anywhere in the state where there
is a navigable body of water. Planning a folding kayak trip in Alaska is
like being a kid in a candy store - so many choices! To find interesting
places to paddle in Alaska, I network with paddling buddies, check with contacts
in online kayak enthusiast groups, peruse my DeLorme Alaska Atlas &
Gazetteer, and check out Google Earth. January or February is not to early to start planning a summer
trip. After finding a couple of possible paddling routes, I consider the
logistics, paddling conditions, and opportunities to view wildlife, scenery,
and historical features. I also consider whom I might invite on the trip.
After deciding on a route to look into further, I use my National Geographic
TOPO! software to view 15-minute topographical maps of the route. Searching
the Internet will result in numerous sources of information and potential
contacts. Are there enough campsites, are there potential bailout spots along
the coast, do we need a floatplane or water taxi drop off or pickup?
Carefully consider open coastal paddling… surf landings
with loaded kayaks are dangerous and only advised for experienced and skilled
paddlers.
The trip
leader may want to designate a group member to paddle out in front and be
the route finder. When conditions are non-threatening, the trip leader may
move about within the group, but when the route is uncertain or hazardous,
the trip leader should paddle in front but stay in contact with the group.
It is the responsibility of every paddler to look around often, be aware
of the rest of group, and not get too far apart. The group should discuss
paddling speed and whether or not to stay close together - the paddling pace
must always consider the needs of the slowest paddler. The route finder should
always stop at decision points and consult with the group.
Protection from the elements
- For paddling trips in cold water along exposed coastlines, a Kokatat
Gore-Tex dry suit is probably the best choice for safety and comfort.
For trips with less exposure to surf landings or rough water, I often
wear the Kokatat Whirlpool bibs combined with the Gore-Tex TecTour
anorak. The inner skirt on the anorak can be folded into the over skirt
on the bibs to form a waterproof seal, making this combination safe on
the water and extremely comfortable. In camp I wear the bibs separately.
The new Super Nova paddling suit is a good value, though it is not as
durable as Gore-Tex nor does it breathe as well. Wetsuits are not very
comfortable and one tends to get wet while paddling, but they will keep
a paddler warm enough to perform a self-rescue during short periods of
immersion.
We generally organize
group dinners, but let each paddler be responsible for their own breakfasts
and lunches. For example, on an 9-day trip with four paddlers, each paddler
would bring and prepare 2 group dinners, 8 individual breakfasts, and 8
individual lunches. Group dinners - cook should plan two servings per person;
meals should be nutritious, tasty, and easy to cook (just need boiling water);
and they should include an easy dessert item like chocolate bars. Having
a few dried soup mixes on hand is also a good idea.
Carry
your kayak to the water unloaded; make sure you're wearing footwear that
you can get wet. You can use the sea sock to haul your gear, already organized
into dry bags, to the kayak. Pack your kayak with the sponsons deflated,
but remember to inflate them before launching. As much as possible, pack
lighter items toward the ends of the kayak, i.e. sleeping bags, sleeping
pads, and clothing. Pack heavy items such as food and water near the cockpit.
If you're short of room, a water bag will often fit in front of the seat
between your legs. Pack foods that need to stay cold next to the hull.
Camping in Alaska or along any
rocky coast in the higher latitudes often requires different camping techniques
than those needed for open sandy beaches. Coastal campers must be aware of
large tidal exchanges and make sure their camp is located well above the
predicted high tide. Kayaks should be hauled close to the tents and secured
by a bow line to vegetation or large boulders. Paddlers will generally be
launching at a different tide level than when they reach camp, so make sure
the launch area will be accessible at a different tide height. Watch out
for shallow intertidal areas, as your campsite may be a long distance from
the water when the tide is out.