Future classes will be:

Winter Canoe Tripping,  All Women's Camping and Paddling, Canoe Tripping with Kids, and Expedition Canoe Tripping.

The Winter Canoe Tripping classes will be scheduled soon, the others will be scheduled in Jan/2008.

Kruger Canoes©

Expedition Gear & Food Check List

This gear list is the recommended expedition kit.  It can be easily pared down to accommodate a day/overnight paddle or used in its entirety for extended expedition tripping.  This list is designed for efficiency and comfort.  Kruger trips make the distinction between a camping trip with a little paddling and a paddling trip with a little camping.  We paddle long scenic days and spend as little time as possible in camp therefore efficient shore skills are essential.  Eating breakfast in your boat underway at sun-up is typical.  We keep food & drink items handy while paddling and “Sip & Nibble” along the way so lunch stops don’t need to happen, but they sometimes do.  Swim breaks on hot days are a possibility depending upon the group's decision.  This method will keep your body well fueled and hydrated throughout your on the water time.  Necessity breaks happen as required.   NO COTTON CLOTHING.    

This kit will handle any weather, rain or shine, down to 32 degrees at night.  This list is designed for Michigan summer paddling.  If you plan a winter trip, additional cold weather gear will be needed based upon your personal requirements in winter conditions.   Some gear can be rented by clicking  here.  Click on "Rental Rate"

You can use this checklist as is or customize it for your particular needs and choices.  This list was modified from the excellent research and work done by Steve Isaac, aka Chief on his www.Watertribe.com  web site.  Much appreciation is due Chief  for his tireless devotion to safe, efficient small boat expeditions.  

Shelter and Sleep System

• Cocoon sleeping bag/blanket, synthetic insulation
• Free standing 3 season waterproof tent
• 6 stakes and 50' light line
• 6 clothes pins (for drying your paddle clothing)  
• Thermarest self-inflating sleeping pad

SACROSANCT Camp Clothing and Sleep Wear  

• 1st Layer: wool or synthetic long johns (shirt and pants)
• 2nd Layer: expedition pants and shirt
• Teva Sandals (allow your feet to dry out)
• Wool or Polartec watch cap
• Wool or Polartec socks
• Wool or Polartec gloves or mittens (optional)

 Kitchen and Pantry  

• 2 Liter pot with cover or a tea kettle
• Water filter & storage bags/bottles/jugs etc.
• Pot holders
• Many lighters stowed where they won’t get wet.
• Measuring/drinking cup
• Bowl
• Extra fuel canister
• Compact camp stove with fuel canister
• Waterproof matches
• 1 knife
• 1 Tough plastic knife and spoon
• Single serving closed top insulated tumbler/mug
• Water purification tablets
• Individual sheets of paper towel stored in Ziploc bag
• Extra Ziploc bags
• Garbage bags – draw string type
• Collapsible bucket

Food – Note: Kruger trips do not focus on and elaborate meal preparation.  Nutritious meals and efficient preparation is essential.  The following items are suggested only to illustrate the focus being quick, efficient nutrition.  Select low or no salt items whenever possible.      

• o   Plenty of water – 1.5 liters per person per day, more in 90 degree + weather

• o   Oatmeal

• o   Fruit - fresh & dried – apples, oranges, bananas

• o   Vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower

• o   Bulk seeds and nuts - unsalted

• o   Powered, flavored energy drink additives

• o   High energy nut/seed based bars

• o   Jerky

• o   Bagels,  jam, peanut butter

• o   Gorp

• o   Macaroni & Cheese re-packaged in zip loc bags

• o   Tuna in foil pouch

• o   Freeze dried meals, either of your own making or the Mountain House brand.  We find these to be the best tasting of the commercially available selections.

• o   Sweet snacks

• o   Spices and any flavor additives you prefer

• o   Some canned goods – soup, meat, beans, etc.  Refrain from too much canned foods as they are very high in salt and heavy.

• o   Packaged stuffing mix

• o   Multi-vitamin

     Hypothermia Kit with Your PFD AND In Your Boat in Waterproof Sack(s)

• Modified Mylar Space Blanket
• 3 Power Gels
• 3 Chemical heat packs in crush proof box 
• Waterproof matches
• Life Boat Matches
• Fire Ribbon or starter

Paddle Wear: Day Time, Good Weather

• 1st Layer Cool Weather: 
  Synthetic tights and long sleeve top
• 1st Layer Hot Weather and Warm Water:  
• Nylon or Supplex shorts or long pants (worn over the tights in cool weather)
• Large brim Sun/Rain Hat
• Water sandals
• Boat Shoes, should give protection to your ankles & heels
• Sunglasses with retention strap; look for full UV protection.
• 2^nd Layer
• Synthetic long sleeve shirt and pants

Paddle Wear: Night Time, Good weather

• Outer Layer Top: Light weight wool/Polartec shirt
• Wool/Polartec skull cap
• Closed water shoe

Paddle Wear: Foul or Cold Weather

• Outer Layer Top & Bottom: Rainproof jacket & pants.
• 2^nd Layer: Retain wool or Polartec items, or switch to heavy weight
• Chotas and/or Smart Wool socks (optional)
• Waterproof boots
• Water proof mittens or gloves
• Balaclava
• Fog resistant ski goggles if paddling in hard rain or snow squall

Boat Gear

• Main paddle  
• Spare paddle
• Paddle float with lanyard 
•  Bilge pump / bailer
• Sponge
• Inflatable seat pad
• Comprehensive repair, patch, and tool kit with duct tape
• Spray skirt containing on-the-water boat patch kit

PFD gear

• EPIRB for (off shore paddling)
• Strobe/Flashlight combo
• Knife
• 3 Flares
• Signal mirror
• Storm Whistle
• Hypothermia kit (see details above)
• Small fish eye compass
• Mini Survival Kit

Navigation

• Charts in special waterproof chart bag
• Waterproofed waypoint list with notes
• Waterproofed flip cards for each "chunk"
• Mini Red LED flashlight tied to chart bag 
• Compass
• Watch
• GPS and lanyard with deck bracket or other hands free mounting
• Spare batteries  
• Backup GPS (optional) 
• Waterproof log book with pencil

Night Paddling

• Hands Free Headlamp
• Powerful, waterproof hand flashlight
• Passive reflector tape permanently installed on the boat

Communication

• Waterproof and submersible VHF
• AA battery adapter for VHF & Cell phone
• Cell phone in special waterproof bag 
• Roll of quarters for pay phones and/or calling card in Get Away Bag

 Body Maintenance

• Toilet Paper & matches
• Gel alcohol to disinfect your hands
• Trowel (in its own Ziploc)
• Pee bottle in the cockpit while paddling and in the tent while sleeping
• Wet Ones type product for hygiene
• Camp suds soap

Pharmacy – First Aid First aid kit items are highly individualized.  This is only a sample listing.

• Purell  
• Aspirin
• Imodium AD
• Chewable Pepto Bismal
• Chewable Dramamine
• Benadryl tablets and spray
• Neosporin Plus  
• Desitin
• Medicated drying powder
• Sunscreen
• Sunburn ointment
• Chapstick
• Vaseline
• Body Glide
• Insect Repellant
• Chewing gum
• Two pairs of Latex or Nitrile gloves if you are allergic to Latex.
• Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
•   Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
•   Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
•  Burn ointment to prevent infection.
•  Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
•  Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant.
•  Thermometer
•  Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
•  Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.
•  Cell Phone
•  Scissors
•  Tweezers 
•  Antacid
•  Laxative
• Other items as necessary, substitute brands as desired, check for compatibility and allergic reactions before placing in kit

Possible

• Eye glasses with a spare
• Magnifying glass for reading charts
• Camera and/or camcorder
• Medical ID for identifying allergies or other medical conditions
• Dog tags or waterproof ID card for identification

Get Away Bag

You will need this when you run to the nearest re-supply point.

• Small waterproof belt pack
• Wallet with ID, cash, and credit cards
• Roll of quarters
• Keys
• Glasses

After Trip Bag

• Shower kit: bar of soap, shaving kit, tooth brush & paste, floss, towel, other items as necessary
• Underwear
• Pants  
• Tee-shirt or heavier
• Socks
• Shoes

Although the basic kit is surprisingly comfortable, you may want to add certain items when you are "cruising" on a planned camping trip. But even luxury items should be considered carefully for weight and bulk.

Luxury Items  

• Additional tent or tarp
• Folding chair  
• Additional pots, pans, and other kitchen items
• Coffee pot
• Bigger stove, more fuel
• Fishing and/or diving gear
• Campfire materials: starter, kindling, hatchet, saw, etc.
• Campfire grate
• Baking oven
• Musical instrument
• Book
• Chess or checkers set
• Playing cards.
• Additional clothing
• Additional body maintenance items

Key Points

• Start out with a basic kit that provides for all your critical needs
• Keep it fast and light so you can take it all the time.
• Packed bulk is as important as weight
• Consider components that work together as a system
• Pare it down to a minimum that still provides comfort and protection
• Add trip specific items as needed
• Add luxury items sparingly

Finally

Believe it or not, this is a light weight kit.  The list seems endless but many of the items are very small.  You can't really save much weight for Boat Gear, Navigation, Paddle Clothing, etc. The weight saving must come from the camping equipment.  

You can save weight by carefully calculating your real needs.  This is often accomplished through experience. 

PFD Details

• The safety knife must be designed and intended for kayak/canoeing/sailing/diving.
• At least part of the blade should have a serrated edge.
• A fishing line cutter section is highly recommended.
• The knife should be mounted on the PFD for one handed extraction and use.
• Either fixed blade or folding blade safety knives.
• If a folding blade safety knife is used, it must be usable by one hand. 
• A pocket knife does not qualify as a safety knife.
• A multitool does not qualify as a safety knife.

Navigation Lights Details

According to the Coast Guard -- A vessel under oars (paddles) may exhibit the same lights as a sailing vessel, but if she does not, she shall have at hand an electric torch (flashlight) or lighted lantern which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent a collision.  This rule also applies to sailing vessels less than 7 meters (22.97 feet) in length.

You should have at least one handheld flashlight close at hand while paddling at night.  I also suggest reflective tape at several points on your hull, and a white light strapped to the back of your PFD or the back deck of your kayak.

DO NOT use a strobe light for normal night paddling.

 Shelter System Details

Your shelter must protect you from a wide range of weather conditions ranging from gale force storms with temperatures in the low 30's to hot and humid conditions with hordes of bugs and no wind what so ever.  Chose wisely from the following:

• A "backpacking tent" with a custom fitted rain fly.  A floor and groundsheet are highly recommended. 
• A "camping hammock" with fitted rain fly.  The hammock should be completely enclosed with no-see-um netting.  The hammock should be usable as a bivy bag when trees are not available.  A silicone impregnated tarp of 10' x 12' is very strongly recommended to augment the system.
• A silicone impregnated tarp combined with a waterproof and bug proof bivy bag will work.  It is highly recommended that the bivy bag be completely waterproof on the bottom and sides with Gore-Tex and no-see-um netting on the top.  Even if your bivy bag is designed to be used all by itself, you should have the tarp as well.  The tarp should have a minimum of 8 tie points sewn in along with 8 stakes suitable for soft dirt or sand.  More tie points and stakes are advisable. 
• It is highly recommended that two or more systems be combined since suitable camping sites for any one system may not always be available.
• It is highly recommended that an additional silicone impregnated tarp be carried to augment all systems.