2 - The Kit

For our trip to Canada we are taking two packs, our canoe and a dog crate. It doesn't seem like much for four months but since our canoe trips will involve long portages, we must travel as light as possible. Portage is the name for (1) the carrying of all supplies and canoe between lakes or rivers or (2) the trail along which one travels with all supplies. Some of the portages we intend to use were used by French fur traders (voyageurs) in the 17th century and Native Americans for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years beforehand. Some will be quite short but others will be longer, up to 7km which is quite a trek when carrying kit!


Dog Crate
We hope to store the dog crate in Toronto airport but it will not be a problem if we must drag it along with us because the RV is big enough and the crate will remain in the car when we are canoeing.



Fred's Pack
Fred's Expedition Portage Pack is designed on the old traditional portage packs used by fur traders, although it's synthetic as opposed to canvas cotton. We obtained it from Canada as they don't exist in Europe, portage trails being non-existent. It isn't waterproof but has drainage holes and the gear inside it will be packed in our usual individual Exped and Ortlieb sacks which are waterproof. It's shape is conducive to being stored in the canoe and it also sits low on one's back to enable easy carriage of the canoe.



My Pack
My Eureka Canoe Pack will weigh about 10kg when full, half that of Fred's, because my back is prone to relapses due to degenerating discs and inflammation in my hip - sounds worse than it is but I have to be careful, much to my dismay. Unlike Fred's pack, mine is completely waterproof.

Tala's Rucksack
During portages, Tala will also carry her own rucksack which unfortunately makes her look like a mule. She will carry 2kg of kit (her own), only a tenth of her weight. It is suggested that dogs carry no more than a quarter of their weight so she shouldn't complain but she can't stop herself from putting on a face!



The Canoe
We've had our collapsible Ally canoe for seven years now and it's fantastic because it can travel everywhere. We've already had it on a plane but also on a train and, obviously, a car. It packs into its own rucksack and weighs about 20kg. We will buy cheap paddles before our first expedition because the airline won't allow us to bring our own.

Bedding
All of our gear is lightweight and affords the best comfort possible. We have both had down-filled mattresses for a few years now but recently bought seat convertors which are excellent and will stop our backs aching whilst out in the wilderness.



The Shelter
I was reluctant to get another tent as we have a very expensive teepee (and wood burning stove) and a small tent which we planned to take with us. Fred wasn't happy with the size of the small one, sensing it would become claustrophobic when hiding from storms for days on end, so he, without my knowledge, purchased a new teepee tent. When I found out, his first reaction was "It's yellow and bears don't like unnatural colours!" and after weeks of fear-of-bears-induced insomnia, what could I say?