GROUP GEAR

Travel & Navigation

• canoe(s)

• paddles (take an extra along in case one is lost or broken en route)

• Canoe Routes of Algonquin Park map, a photocopy of the section you will be using & clear plastic bags (e.g. Ziplock bags) in which to seal them (have two people carry copies of the map on the trip)

• compass

Camping

• lightweight tent(s) with fly

• 10' X12' lightweight tarp (for rain: to cover the gear when paddling, to shelter the participants in camp) (nylon is lighter than polypropylene -- thanks to Lloyd Bowles for mentioning this --)

• polypropylene rope (for suspending the food packs and tarp, tying-off water bottles that are chilling in the lake, lashing gear into the canoe(s), etc.)

• lightweight folding saw (park staff often leave large logs at campsites for use as firewood)

• toilet paper

• sunblock & insect repellent (products containing both now available -- see Camping Tips for details)

• mini-flashlights

• first aid kit

• sewing and repair kit, including duct tape (for repairs of all kinds)

• solar shower --thanks to Scott (a.k.a. "Chaotic") for contributing this, which he rates "best item on trip!!!"--

Kitchen

• 1-burner naptha or propane pack stove

• extra fuel canister

• fire-starter sticks or cubes

• waterproof matches

• 1-litre water bottles (one-litre milk or juice bottles with handles can be tied to the outside of packs for easy access -- thanks to Donna Woods for this tip --)

• collapsible water bag

• water purification filter or water purification tablets (water treated with tablets should then be boiled for 5 minutes before consuming, to eliminate the possibility of contracting Giardia lamblia, or "beaver fever")

• nesting cookware (largest lid can be used as a fry pan, if you elect not to pack a separate fry pan)

• 10" teflon-coated aluminum fry pan (see item above)

• pot gripper

• paring knife

• wooden spoon

• turner

• lexan mugs

• high-sided lexan plates (can also be used as bowls)

• lexan cutlery

• collapsible sink

• biodegradable dish detergent

• dish cloth

• drying towel

• steel wool pad or nylon scrubber

• nylon mesh bag (for chilling water bottles in the lake)

• food pack or packs (suitable for hanging at night) or olive barrel ("available from outfitters... seals well to prevent odours from attracting animals & would be hard to break into" -- thanks to Lloyd Bowles for this suggestion --)

• fishing rod, lures, etc. (if you plan to fish you will need a fishing license -- can be purchased through the Interior Camping Permit Office)

Miscellaneous

• notebook & pencil

• binoculars

• camera

Personal Gear

Clothing

• long pants

• shorts

• long-sleeved shirt

• T-shirts

• rain gear

• socks

• underwear

• bathing suit

• hiking boots or running shoes

• plastic supermarket bags (to keep your feet and fresh socks dry when you have to put on wet shoes in the morning) -- thanks to Doug Elliot for contributing this idea --

• sport sandals

• sun hat

• wool hat (to wear when sleeping, if camping in cold weather) -- thanks to Doug Elliott for contributing this idea --

• sunglasses & safety strap or string

• cycling gloves (to prevent blisters from paddling)

Other

• life jacket

• backpack

• sleeping bag

• sleeping pad

• facecloth

• towel

• toiletries

• whistle

• identification

• book

• deck of cards

• spare set of car keys (have two people carry car keys on the trip)

• complete change of clothes, washcloth and hair brush to leave in the car for the trip home -- thanks to Doug Elliott for contributing the above three ideas --

PACKING TIP...double bag it!

Most backpacks will leak if dropped into the water, or if exposed to rain for any length of time. This double-bagging system will keep gear dry under any conditions:

• seal articles that would absorb or be ruined by water in clear, heavy-duty freezer bags (e.g. Ziplock bags). You might want to pack socks in one freezer bag, underwear in another, t-shirts in another, camera in another, etc.

• line each backpack compartment with a large, thick, plastic bag (e.g. a garbage bag or commercially-available waterproof camping gear bag), pack each lined compartment with as many gear-filled freezer bags (above) as will fit, and then tie or twist-tie the liner-bags shut to provide a second barrier against water

• don't forget to waterproof your sleeping bag and toilet paper! -- thanks to Doug Elliott for contributing this reminder --

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