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h e p a t h t o e n m e n t


Roll out the barrel


For food storage, use a liner that keeps water out and odours in. I’ve had success (no bears or mice) with vinyl roll-top bags and the Ursack, a Kevlar bag with an odour-resistant liner. Add a few metres of (light) rope to hang your food from a tree overnight and you can defend yourself from the biggest heavyweight bully of canoe tripping: the food barrel.


Eliminate redumbdancy Make a list of the gear you take on a trip and then take a step back and check for redundant items. Do you really need a rain hat and a sun hat? Jackknife and multi-tool? Headlamp and flashlight? Grill and stove?


The Facts of Light


• If you pack lighter you’ll spend more time enjoying the view and less time with your head in a bag sorting gear.


• Weight matters, even when it’s floating. As Newton taught us, the more weight in your boat, the more force needed from every stroke to accelerate back up to cruising speed (Acceleration=Force/ Mass, multiplied by 15,000 strokes a day).


• With half the stuff to pack up, breaking camp will take half the time.


• If you pack fewer dishes you’ll spend less time washing them.


• You don’t have to worry about keeping excess clothes dry if you leave them at home.


• Trips should be about getting away from it all, not about bringing it all with you.


• If you do a portage in two trips you have to walk the trail three times.


Paddle


A paddle that will be lifted thousands of times each day is an important place to save weight. Just remember, a broken paddle is worse than a heavy paddle—make sure it’s strong.


Pick your battles If you trip with caffeine devotees, stop short of jettisoning their brewing device; there are some battles you will lose, even when you win.


JAY MORRISON finished his three-season trans-Canada paddle in June.


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