Top ten tips for canoe camping
For their July 2023 issue, Trail Magazine asked North Star Adventure for our top ten tips for canoe camping, which we have listed below for you!
We love canoe camping. It involves a totally different mindset to journeying on foot thanks to the ability to take your creature comforts with you. Canoes allow you to access hidden bays, secluded islands and quieter shores and the sense of freedom is awesome. When travelling across open-water, one can harness the wind and on rivers the current pushes you along so it can be an incredibly efficient way to travel. Our favourite thing is to descend a river over a number of days. You soon lose the anxieties of modern living as you slowly become accustomed to the rhythms of life on the water. There is no better feeling than warming yourself next to a fire, eating something delicious with great company.
1. Check the weather forecast and water-levels before setting off. Canoes are quite dramatically affected by wind direction and strength. We strongly recommend having a Plan A and a Plan B.
2. We would really recommend synthetic sleeping bags over down, as these handle the potentially damp conditions much more effectively.
3. Specialist paddling clothing just isn't needed when starting out. We always recommend people dress in pretty much the same clothing they'd wear on the hill for the given environment and weather conditions.
4. Canoes allow a few more luxuries to be taken. Perhaps sneak a bottle of wine into your packing or maybe a folding chair.
5. Dry-bags are much easier to pack into awkward spaces (keep an eye out in Aldi for some bargains!). Make sure these are securely fastened to your canoe so you don't lose anything in the event of a capsize!
6. We love our Kelly Kettles for boiling water for endless cups of tea. These are specially designed to burn whatever scraps of twigs, cones or dry grass you find around you.
7. We take our raised fire-pit to ensure we leave no trace on our wild camp-sites. Take some dry kindling with you to help get your fire started.
8. No one likes talking about it, but if you get caught short, wild toilets should be dug using a trowel. Dig at least 15cm deep and 30m away from the nearest water course, path or building. Of course, this isn't always possible so bagging it and binning it is the safe and responsible option.
9. Tarps are fantastic pieces of kit that can keep a group sheltered from the elements. Learn how to improvise poles with your canoe and paddles where there are no trees to suspend one from.
10. Finally, our top tip is to always tie your canoe up at the end of the day or drag it well away from the water-line. Water levels can dramatically change overnight and you do not want to find yourself stranded the next morning!
For those ready to take on your next canoe camping adventure, check out our Scottish and Scandinavian river trips. For those feeling like they would like a little more experience, have a look through our NEW skills weekends, perfect for beginners!
