Whether you’re a beginner kayaker or have years of experience paddling, planning a multi-day adventure can be a little daunting. However, approaching a kayaking and camping trip with a comprehensive plan is essential for maximizing the experience and ensuring you all return home in one piece.
We’re going to guide you through six steps for planning and preparing for a multi-day kayaking and camping expedition. We’ll look at route planning, safety considerations, essential supplies, and a few extra tips for making the most of these exhilarating and memorable outdoor adventures.
1. Choose the Right Companions
If you’re planning a group trip, selecting the right people to join you is crucial. Choose people who are calm, rational, and communicative. You also need to ensure that everyone has similar fitness levels to keep up and paddle their own way.
You never know what kind of situations may arise over the course of the trip. However, choosing people you can trust in potentially serious situations can help mitigate accidents and ensure everyone stays safe. Previous experience with kayaking and camping is a huge plus!
2. Begin with Route Planning
Next up is route planning. Where does the journey start, and where does it end? What kind of waters will you be paddling through? How extreme are the rapids, and what classes are they? Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the environment, distance, terrain, weather conditions, and river behavior is essential for planning a trip like this.
The nature of your chosen route will provide key information about what kind of gear to pack, how many supplies you’ll need, and what kind of challenges you can expect along the way.
It is also important to take into consideration what gear you already have, what gear your companions will have, and your ability to acquire new gear. While it may seem redundant, you’re group may only have full-sized, typical kayaks that can severely limit where you can go.
Now, if you are in a financial position to purchase new equipment and can acquire a portable kayak that can be easily transported, then plan away! But if you are limited by the equipment you already possess, it would be wise to choose a route that will not be hindered by your gear.
3. Pick the Right Kayak and Tent
Of course, no kayaking and camping expedition plan is complete without a kayak and a tent. These are two items you will get to know very well over the course of your multi-day journey, so make sure you choose the right ones for your needs and the route you’re taking.
When choosing a kayak, consider factors such as length, width, durability, storage space, weight capacity, maneuverability, and comfort. If you’re going to be walking long distances between your campsite and the river, an inflatable kayak is your best option, but it must be suitable for the class of rapids on your route.
Tents are simpler. Select one that is easy to set up and take down and can handle the weather conditions of your chosen environment.
4. Plan your Food and Consumables
A multi-day trip calls for ample food supplies. Base your meal plans around easy-to-cook foods and high-energy, non-perishable items such as dried fruit, jerky, trail mix, peanut butter, and crackers.
As for water, we suggest packing water purification tablets. Doing so eliminates the need to pack large quantities of drinking water, which can weigh you down and take up precious storage space. If you’re adventuring in water that’s safe to drink, that’s a bonus! But make sure to triple-check on its safety beforehand.
5. Invest in Quality Safety Equipment
Safety is a top priority for your kayaking and camping expedition. Everyone in your group should know the basic safety rules as they could save lives. In addition to knowing the rules, you also need the right safety equipment:
Here is a list of essential safety gear you should obtain before departure:
- Personal floatation device (PFD), preferably with reflective strips
- Waterproof first aid kit (bandages, disinfectant wipes, painkillers, etc.)
- Emergency whistle fastened to your PFD
- Hats and sunscreen
In addition to this basic safety equipment, you must ensure everyone has a sturdy, lightweight backpack and suitable traveling clothes. As kayaking is a watersport, you should pack lightweight, fast-drying, waterproof items wherever possible and bring rain gear to stay dry. The right shoes are crucial, too, and you’ll need shoes suitable for kayaking.
6. If you lack experience, hire a guide
If you are not 100% confident or comfortable with your level of experience for tackling a multi-day expedition like this one, hiring a guide can make an incredible difference. Guides can provide safety, structure, and insight into your journey, guiding the way and teaching important skills throughout it.
Hiring a guide is not necessarily essential, especially if you want a challenge or have ample experience in these areas. But it can take the pressure off of your expedition and allow you to have more fun.
Enjoy A Memorable Multi-Day Adventure
A kayaking and camping trip combine two of the most enjoyable forms of outdoor adventures, making one of these expeditions the kind that will stick with you for the rest of your life.
But your experience can become dampened or even dangerous without the right strategy, which is why planning for expeditions like this is so important. By following this guide, you can prepare for a trip that is safe, organized, and satisfies your adventurous spirit.