Whitewater Kayaking: The Self-Support Adventure

Self-support whitewater kayaking trips are fun, but somewhat daunting to prepare for. The basic one or two night trips are the most common but whether you're planning for one night or a whole week the gear you'll need is basically the same.

If you're planning a trip on a difficult river, the main concern is the type of kayak you'll be using. Obviously the bigger the boat the more capacity to carry gear, however today's boats are smaller than they've ever been. For difficult rivers it's recommended that you use a creek boat. These boats are made to stay on top of the water with their buoyancy and shape. They're extra volume makes them much easier to pack with gear.

If you load up your typical low volume play boat with even 15 pounds of extra gear, you'll be very unstable. The added weight will sink the edges of the boat. Every current will drag on those edges, and you'll be fighting to stay upright the whole way. Typically you're not doing a self-support kayak trip on a play river anyway. It's more likely you're doing it because it's inaccessible any other way, which usually means it's a harder river. Leave the play boat for play rivers, use the creek boat for the hard stuff.

The essential gear:

1. Bring a super light sleeping bag that crunches up very small. If the weather's warm enough just bring a sheet or light blanket and leave the sleeping bag. If it's colder the combination of a light sleeping bag and a light blanket is usually enough especially in the spring and summer.

2. Bring a thin, light sleeping pad. The tiny therma-rest pads are perfect because they scrunch up very small. Throwing in a bivy sack in case it rains is also a good idea, and won't add much weight.

3. Bring one layer of after boating clothes. Even if it's summer, bring a light pair of long pants and a light long sleeved shirt. If nothing else the coverage will help with mosquitos.

4. Proper boating shoes are essential for self-support kayak trips. You don't want to have to hike out of some steep canyon with flimsy neoprene booties. Buying a cheap pair of regular shoes then hacking off most of the sole to make them fit in the boat is a cheap option. If you want to spend some money you can find water shoes specifically designed for extreme kayaking. These shoes are light enough to fit comfortably in most creek boats but heavy enough to withstand some serious hiking.

5. Eating light but smart is key to keeping the boat weight down. Breakfast is usually instant coffee and packages of instant oatmeal. Lunch is usually a power bar, a peanut butter sandwich and maybe an apple. Dinner is pasta with butter and Parmesan. Don't get fancy; you're not here to eat like royalty. When you're buying the food for the trip ask yourself if the food in your cart is worth the added weight in your boat.

6. Each boater should bring a small plastic bowl with a tight fitting lid. Inside the bowl pack a new lighter, a spoon, and some iodine tablets. One person will carry a stove and one person will carry a small metal pot. Everyone carries a water bottle, and small first aid kit. Water is the heaviest thing you'll carry, so having iodine tablets or even a small water filter can save a lot of weight.

7. A breakdown spare paddle is essential. They're not needed most of the time but not having one is like driving around the mountains without a spare tire. Never leave home without some duct tape. Wrapping some strips of duct tape around the shaft of the spare paddle is a great way to bring the tape along without having to bring the whole roll. Split the paddle parts up between two boaters to disperse some weight.

8. The last thing you'll need is trash compactor bags and tubular nylon stuff sacks. Trash compactor bags are tough and will stand up to the pressures of the trip very well. Put the bags into the tubular nylon stuff sacks and load them with your gear. It's a good idea to separate food from cooking gear from clothing. When you pack the gear in your boat try to keep each side of the boat equal in weight. You don't want to be heavy on one side. Also keep the heaviest stuff close to the middle of the boat so you don't end up doing a tail stand as you make your way down the river.

Self-support whitewater kayak trips can take you into some very remote river canyons. These canyons may only see a handful of people all year. To make the trip as enjoyable as possible follow the packing guide above. In addition to the items listed, kayakers should also carry a river rescue knife, a rescue rope throwbag and a webbing harness anchor. Of course a solid lifejacket and helmet are also requirements.