Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Gear List

I get a kick out of reading what other people pack for their trip, figured was time to post an updated list of my gear.  For the most part it hasn’t changed much from last year but I did add a bunch of new gear.  Here is my Gear List as it stands today, will most likely not change now and only 1-2 items I might add.  

Still find it amazing that it all fits into a kayak, difference from last year is that I had no idea if it would or not and was only going on what I read, this year I know that it will, doesn’t stop me from shaking my head.

Have indicated whether the item has been ADDED from what I brought last year or whether I REPLACED an item for one reason or another. There are numerous posts on my blog from last year on the equipment I have, including post trip reviews.  If interested in more info, check the posts from last year.  Link on side menu.

Kayak Equipment

  • PFD (Kokatat MsFit) – ADDED
  • Sealine Baja Deck Bag – ADDED
  • Paddle Leash
  • Sponge
  • Bow/Stern Ropes
  • Bumpers (x2)
  • Bailing Can

Might still add the following Items:

  • Cockpit Seal
  • Kayak Repair Kit
  • Kayak Wheels

Not sure yet if I’m going to buy a Kayak or rent again.  If I purchase, will need to add the following items, they come with Rental.

  • Spray Skirt
  • Throw Bag
  • Main Paddle
  • Spare Paddle
  • Paddle Float
  • Bilge Pump

Navigation Equipment

  • Garmin Dakota 20 Handheld Waterproof GPS – ADDED
  • Garmin BlueChart & G2 Vision Marine Charts - ADDED
  • Paper Marine Charts - ADDED
  • Sunto Orca Deck Compass – ADDED
  • Brunton ACD Summit Pocket Weather Station - ADDED
  • Binoculars

Safety Equipment

  • Handheld VHF – Standard Horizon HX270S
  • First Aid Kit – Safety First Full Kit
  • Flares + Bear Bangers
  • Signal Mirror
  • Strobe Light
  • Fox40 Whistle (plus spare)
  • Ditch Bag
  • Waterproof Matches/Box
  • Fire Starter (Swedish Fire Steel)
  • Cotton/Vaseline Tinder
  • Headlamp
  • Leatherman Multi-Tool Knife
  • Emergency Blanket – ADDED
  • Titanium Dive Knife (PFD Attached) Wenoka – ADDED

Might still add the following:

  • Emergency Locator Beacon (either FastFind or ACR)
  • Bear Spray

Electronic Equipment

  • Waterproof Box for Blackberry
  • Waterproof Lock Bag for Cables/Wallet
  • Portable BB/IPod chargers (battery operated)
  • Blackberry
  • IPod
  • Spare Batteries
  • Wall Chargers (BB/IPod/Camera) - ADDED
  • IPod Waterproof Case (i1015) – ADDED
  • IPod Waterproof Headphones (H20 Audio) – ADDED
  • Digital Camera – Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 - ADDED
  • Digital Video Camera – GoPro Mini Cam – ADDED

Personal Items

  • Dry Bags to pack all equipment
  • Towel
  • Sunglasses/Sunglass Strap (plus spare set)
  • Log Book
  • Pencil/Pencil Sharpener
  • Paperback books (2)
  • Playing Cards
  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Floss/Toothpicks/Q-Tips
  • Deodorant / Biodegradable Soap / Biodegradable Toilet Paper
  • Razor
  • Tylenol / Tums / Lip Balm
  • Afterbite / Bug Repellant / Mosquito Coils
  • Sunscreen / Solarcaine
  • Polysporin – ADDED
  • Cortizone Cream - ADDED
  • Anti-Chafe Cream – ADDED
  • A5-35 – ADDED

Camp Equipment

  • Tent (Marmot Limelite 2P)
  • Tent Repair Kit
  • Thermarest Pillow
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Silk Liner Insert
  • Thermarest Sleeping Pad – REPLACED
  • Thermarest Trail Chair – ADDED
  • Thermarest Repair Kit – ADDED
  • Portable Hammock – ADDED
  • Nalgene Water Bottles 1000lm (x2)
  • Water Transport  - 2.5 Gallon
  • Water Filter System – MSR MiniWorks
  • Water Bucket – Collapsible – REPLACED
  • Compact Stove – MSR Whisperlight International
  • MSR Fuel Canister & White Gas Fuel (2x 20oz)
  • Emergency Stove / Fuel Tablets
  • Cookware – MSR Blacklite
  • Plate/Bowl/Mug
  • Utensils – Titanium - REPLACED
  • Mini-Folding Chair – ADDED
  • Waterproof Flashlight
  • Spare Rope
  • Duct Tape
  • Garbage Bags
  • Trowel / Mini Broom & Dustpan
  • Mini – Umbrella – REPLACED
  • Retractable Clothes Line – ADDED
  • Lantern – ADDED

Clothing / Paddle Gear

  • Paddle Jacket – Level Six
  • Paddle Pants – Level Six – ADDED
  • Paddle Shoes – Solomon Amphibian 2 - REPLACED
  • Paddle Socks - ADDED
  • Paddle Gloves (heavy)
  • Paddle Gloves (light) – ADDED
  • Paddle Shirts – Long Sleeve (x2)
  • Paddle Shirts – Short Sleeve (x2)
  • Paddle Shorts (x3)
  • Paddle Hat (Tilley)  - REPLACED
  • Camp Clothes (casual & warm)
  • Sandals
  • Hiking Shoes – ADDED

Other than food, that’s it, other than the items where I mentioned I might still add, by gear list is complete.  Have a spare room completely cleared out, tent set-up and all gear organized and ready to go.  Yes, I am a freak when it comes to planning ahead.

New Camera

The one thing I really missed during the trip last year was my camera,  I didn’t bring mine as I was afraid it would get destroyed by water, add to that the fact that it requires base charger, I didn’t want to drag it around.  I ended up using the camera on my blackberry, didn’t  take as many pictures as I would have liked and the quality sucked.    Not going to make that mistake again so picked up a new one.

Went with the Olympus Stylus Tough 6020,  this thing rocks, waterproof up to 16 feet which means I can take underwater pictures if I really want to, shockproof, dust proof, 14 megapixel and HD Video and a whack of other features I didn’t know how to work on the last camera either.  Added 8GB card and picked up spare battery. 

Only thing I don’t like is that Olympus is using a non-standard USB cable connection (ARRRGGHHH) could have used my portable charger but now will have to find a wall outlet to charge along the way, shouldn’t be a problem, I do have a spare battery.   Good news is that it is USB so all I have to bring is the mini USB wall jack and use it for Camera, Phone and Ipod when I can find an outlet.   Really wish they would develop high quality cameras that use regular AA batteries, all my problems would be solved.