PHOTOS What I use: my kayak gear

Lightweight and Ultralightweight Backpacking

The View from Here

Panoramic view from a mountain top in Glacier National Park, Montana

INTRODUCTION BACKPACK PACKING FOOD GEAR LISTS 10 ESSENTIALS PRODUCTS LINKS VIDEO SITE

What I use: my kayak gear

It is helpful to have lightweight kayak gear for portage.

The kayak allows me to have heavier gear, however, the gear has to be low volume gear because there is so little storage aboard a kayak and it has to be stored so it is not damaged, or, damages your other gear. In addition, it is helpful if your gear selections are stored to withstand water immersion.

There are often more options for camping.

It is possible to have a more spacious tent and a kitchen tarp, as well.

Here is my gear.

I do not portage.

I use cold water immersion gear, every time, because the water is cold. Heat loss is considerable in cold water. If I get in the water for any reason, I need all the protective gear shown. That, and I need to hurry to get out of the water, and, warm up.

This is why my 10 essentials: emergency food is food that increases warmth. I do not need a diuretic like coffee. I need calories. I need fatty foods. I need metabolism working on calories and fat. I select packaged shelf stable food, preferably vacuum-pak food so my "emergency food" will make more than one trip per season.

The emergency food is not the food you consume. The emergency food is for emergency use only.

If, after the season ends, you have your emergency food. Then, consume it. Purchase more as the next season nears.

That is also a good start for getting ready for the next season, thinking through food choices, having ingredients on hand, maybe packaging meals for the start of the season.

I know few people who kayak in winter. Around here, just about everything is frozen over.

I spend winter, thinking and planning for the recreation I might be able to have the following year.