Greetings All,

This is an email summarizing what should be brought on the Canadian trip as *trek gear* - that is, the stuff we will be using on the trek itself. As noted in the last email, we expect to be on the water within three hours of our arrival at Killarney Provincial Park, so we need to be packed "ready to go" upon our arrival.

It has suggested by Killarney that we pack all our gear (both personal and Troop equipment) in internal frame packs for easier fitting into the canoes, and easier carrying during portaging. Naturally, we only have a few internal frame packs in the entire Troop, basically due to my strongly discouraging anyone from buying them for backpacking. This is not a situation we will be able to rectify this week, and I don't at this point intend to try. Neither should you. If Killarney is really insistent on this, I will put out a call Troop-wide for internal frame packs, and we'll see what turns up. We'll cross that bridge Monday night.

If the use of internal frame backpacks is not "mandatory," we will next determine whether we should pack in duffel bags or rather in our "regular" (external frame) backpacks. I will be discussing this with our primary guide sometime tomorrow (see update). I would think that we could "get away" with regular backpacks inside contractor-weight trash-bags, but let's see what the man says - after all, he's the expert.

The following list is derived from the Killarney List and the BSA Northern Tier List, plus has some additions from myself. A number of "common items" have been deleted, because we will be carrying them as crew gear. Please do not assume that I have forgotten some critical item just because you don't see it here - far more likely, it is included in the crew lists. (You are free to ask me!) In the interests of weight minimalization and bear safety, you should NOT bring items that you do not see listed here.

Comments on bear safety - bears (and many other animals, such as porcupines or skunks) are attracted by any unusual odor, including items which have no resemblance to food (like film or insect repellent.) For this reason, it is absolutely forbidden for anyone to bring extra food items, any personal cleanliness gear (including deoderant, shampoo, soaps, hair creams, toothpaste, etc.), or personal sunscreen or insect repellent. All personal gear will be stored in our packs *away* from our tents. The only things that will be included inside the tents each night are your foam pad, sleeping bag, pillow, one flashlight, and *tomorrow's* clean clothes (you do not go to bed wearing the clothes you were wearing at dinner, unless you like being an hors d'oeuvre.) If you are unsure as to the "food cleanliness" of your backpack or duffel bag, take some time this weekend to set it out and thoroughly wash it out with a hose. This is an especially good idea if you've been in the (past!) habit of putting canteens with flavored drinks in them in your packs. Takes 5 minutes, and will dry in less than 2 hours. An ounce of prevention and all that.... All food items and "smellables" will be stored in bear bags each night. With these standard precautions, we should be "bear-free" during our entire trek.

Even though we intend to place each backpack or duffel bag inside a very tough, monster-size trash bag, you still need to pack all the items inside the pack in zip-lock bags. Note that the bags with actual zip-slides are the best, but only come in one quart and one gallon size. Safeway also sells 2 gallon zip-lock bags, but they're pretty flimsy. Other plastic bags will do if tied shut, but check that they're waterproof (air-tight) before you pack. Sleeping bags should be packed in a separate kitchen sized trash-bag. Clothing should be tightly rolled to minimize bulk, and the bags should have all the air squeezed out of them before sealing. Each trekker should bring a half-dozen extra zip-lock bags, plus one or two kitchen-size trash bags, as replacements. All items AND ZIP-LOCK BAGS should have your name or initials on them.

Additional Comments on Clothing - No 100% Cotton Clothing should be brought. That includes everything, including underwear and socks. Cotton is a negative insulator, meaning you're better off wearing nothing than 100 % cotton. Not a big deal when it's 97 in the shade in Arlington, but a different story altogether if it's an all-day rainy and windy 45 degrees in Killarney (not likely, but certainly possible.) Cotton clothes also weigh a ton. Use synthetics instead, and cotton/synthetic blends if you don't have pure synthetics. Keep the "layer concept" in mind while packing. We can expect to wash clothing (at least rinse them) every sunny day; this enables us to dramatically cut the amount of clothes we need to bring. The Troop does Philmont with each trekker having only 3 sets of short clothes and 1 set of longs, and that's twice as long as Killarney and in a much drier and dirtier (or at least sweatier) environment. You don't need a lot of clothes.

And to repeat, mark your name on EVERYTHING, and do NOT bring items you do not see listed here! Remember also that you will be wearing clothes from your carry-on gear when you step into the canoe (T-Shirt, Shorts, Floppy Hat, Sunglasses, Underwear, Socks, Sneakers.)

_____ A backpack or duffel bag, as specified at the Prep Meeting, cleaned as specified above

_____ 4 - 6 extra 1-galllon zip-lock bags

_____ 2 extra kitchen sized trash bags

_____ Sleeping Bag, lightweight (rated no lower than 30 degrees), sealed in a plastic bag, and that inside a stuff sack

_____ Ridge Rest type foam pad, or an UltraLite, *full-length* Therm-a-Rest; the latter is highly recommended for the Adults, especially if they'd like to actually be able to get some sleep

_____ A backpacker's pillow (NOT a regular pillow!!!)

_____ An eating kit in a zip-lock bag, including: A) A plastic bowl; B) A Wide Mouth deep-dish type plastic cup; C) A large Lexan spoon; and D) (ADULTS/OPTIONAL) A double-wall cup for hot drinks (available at Casual Adventure or REI)

_____ Two Canteens or 1 liter/wide mouth soda bottles, with names!

_____ 2 socially acceptable T-Shirts (MUST NOT BE 100% COTTON!)

_____ 2 pair of shorts with liners (swimtrunk or backpacking type; MUST NOT BE 100% COTTON!)

_____ 1 pair of lightweight, synthetic, long pants, preferably with cargo pockets (MUST NOT BE 100% COTTON!)

_____ 1 belt - OPTIONAL - only if your shorts and long pants do not have an internal belt

_____ 1 polar-fleece or synthetic equivalent long shirt; a long shirt with pockets is more versatile

_____ 2 pair of underwear, synthetic or cotton/synthetic blend

_____ 3 pairs of white athletic socks, synthetic - NOT COTTON!

_____ 1 hat, preferably a floppy, preferably waterproof (if you're not wearing one already from your carry-on)

_____ 1 extra pair of heavy-duty sneakers or lightweight hiking boots (for use around camp and during portages) This is in addition to what you'll be wearing when you step into the canoe.

NOTE! - AQUA-SOCKS ARE *NOT* ACCEPTABLE FOR USE ON THIS TREK!

_____ 1 light, rain- and wind-resistant jacket

_____ A (breathable) rain-suit or large poncho, suit preferred

_____ 1 camp-towel (backpacker's towel, large size)

_____ 2 Bandannas

_____ 1 pair of sunglasses (if you're not already wearing a pair; should be worn while canoeing)

_____ Croakies or equivalent (Mandatory for anyone wearing glasses or sunglasses!)

_____ Comb

_____ Toothbrush

_____ 15 - 20 feet of parachute cord (for a clothesline)

_____ 6 - 8 mini-Binder's Clips (clothes-pins)

_____ OPTIONAL - Razor

_____ OPTIONAL - Mosquito Netting 3 x 3 feet square, if intend to sleep out any night

_____ OPTIONAL - Mosquito Netting Hat (Probably Not Needed!)

_____ OPTIONAL - Reading Materials (Not the telephone pages, please!)

_____ OPTIONAL - Lightweight Bicycle Gloves (helps avoid blisters while paddling)

_____ OPTIONAL - Waterproof pack-cover (if we use external frame backpacks)

_____ OPTIONAL - Waterproof Day-Pack or equivalent (for personal gear inside each canoe; only one per canoe needed)

_____ OPTIONAL (but highly encouraged) - Fishing Gear

A) A medium length fishing pole which MUST be able to be broken down into two pieces. A telescoping pole would be even better.

B) Tackle Box - SMALL!!! Should contain only 6 - 8 select lures and a small assortment of flies, hooks, floats, and weights. A hook disgorger and a stringer are also appropriate. Your tackle box should easily fit inside a pocket of your backpack. Put your name on it!

- Bob

Home.
25 July 1999