WHAT WE TOOK
Despite having mapped out our full equipment list for you, it's important to remember that if you're planning a canoe or kayak trip, gear choice is a hugely subjective thing. We had stuff that was great, stuff that was bad, and ultimately your mind set is more important than you're kit. If you're planning a trip and trawling through equipment lists, have a read of this which is a good aid and will stop you getting carried away.
This list is divided broadly into five sections though really there is a lot of overlap.
Canoeing
- Canoe - Mad River Reflection 17
- 2x Grey Owl, Voyageur Paddles
- Spare TNP Paddle
- Handikart Canoe Wheels
- 2x Palm 100ltr Watertight Rucksack
- 60ltr Canoe Barrel
- 2x 30ltr Canoe Barrel
- 2x Gill Buoyancy Aid
- 25m Throwline
- Tow Rope
- Rec Repair Kit
- Otter Box (water tight case for phones and small items)
- 20x Cap Flares
- 2x 12hr Glow Stick
- 2x Bike Locks
- First Aid Kit
Camping
- Tent - Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 2.1 (Stolen and replaced with QUECHUA QuickHiker Ultralight II)
- 2x Roll Mat
- 2x Sleeping Bag
- MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
- MSR XGK Expedition Stove
- Stove Fuel
- Matches
- Cooking Set
- 2x Tin Mugs
- 2x Swiss Army Knife
- 2x Fork, Spoon
- Mobile Power Solar Charger
- Small Time Solar Charger
- 800x Oasis Water Purification Tablets (Yes. Wildly excessive amount)
- Survival Bag and Foil Blankets
- Sun Cream
- Bug Spray
- Lip Salve
- Hand Sanitation Gel
- Toilet Kit
- Personal Wash Kit, Biodegradable Soap and Shampoo
- Cookery Wash Kit
- Agri Tape
- String
- Wind Up Torch
- Head Torch
- Books
- Playing Cards
Admin
- Waterproof Map Sleeve
- Maps
- Compass
- Passports
- Passport Photocopies (stored separately)
- NHS Cards
- BCU Membership Card
- Wallet
- Mobile Phone
- Notebook/Journal
- Dictionaries/Phrasebooks
- Plastic Pouch For Receipts
Admin
- Pair Sandals
- Pair Running Trainers
- 3x Pair Socks
- 3x Pair Boxers
- Sports Base Layer (UnderArmour) Top
- Sports Base Layer (UnderArmour) Bottoms
- 2x Sports T-shirt
- Casual T-shirt
- Long-sleeved sports shirt
- Pair Trousers with cut-away legs
- Pair Swimming Trunks
- Thin Jumper
- Sports Fleece (Regatta)
- Canoe Gloves
- Sun Cap
- Wooly Hat
- Unlined Rain Coat (Patagonia)
- Waterproof Trousers
When it came to our food barrels we did not follow a specific diet or keep a calorie count, though this is what some people prefer to do. We made sure we ate a lot and had a high carb and protein intake. For breakfast we had cereal throughout with a litre of milk between us each day. At lunch we generally had two savoury sandwiches followed by two sweeter (e.g. jam) sandwiches. Snacks were most often apples, bananas and nuts & raisins. Evening meals rotated between a base of mainly rice, pasta and couscous but other than this there was always a lot of variation throughout all meals. Food depended on what was available and what would keep well in the climate of the area.