RAMBLING ANGLER OUTDOORS©

Camping by the river can be relaxing and with a few kayaks to carry all the equipment you might even get that non-camper in your bunch to come along. Kayaks will hold an amazing amount of gear which can make your campsite very pleasant and after a few trips you will add or subtract accordingly until you have just the right gear for a great campsite and a smooth paddle downstream. Even for those who love to paddle the camping is often the highlight of the trip where stories are told and memories are made so get the best equipment you can afford and it will last many years of kayak camping fun.

Kayaking looks fairly simple until you try to maneuver a rapid or even a ripple. If you have never paddled a kayak before please be sure to take a lesson before heading to the river. This article is about kayak camping but I want to be clear about the importance of learning how to paddle a kayak and all the dangers that you might encounter during your trip. Let's keep the trip safe and fun for all and only build great memories of our trips.

Deciding what to take on your kayak camping trip can be daunting when you realize how much those little hatches will carry. However, it is important to pack your kayak so that it remains stable while paddling downstream. It is important to place heavier items like extra water close to the cockpit working your way out with lighter gear. This will ensure balance and stability that is important in a kayak. The room inside those hatches scream for more gear but keep your gear as lightweight as possible and your kayak experience will be more enjoyable. Too often people just pack their home skillet and big tents and sleeping bags but keeping it light goes with kayak camping as much as it goes with backpack camping.

Water is important when paddling and cooking. Never drink or cook with river water. The kayak has enough storage to pack enough water for a few days. When dishes are washed with river water place each dish on the hot coals and burn away any water that remains. You don't want to get sick while on your trip. One must have item for kayak camping is a water filter system. There are many makes and models so shop around and choose the one you feel is right for you. This filter system should only be for emergencies only when on a trip of three nights or less. The filter system will allow for a longer camping trip as you would not have to pack the weight or take up the valuable space needed for food with so many gallons of water.

Those waterproof hatches are not waterproof and you should pack accordingly. If you don't want something wet you should pack it in a waterproof bag. Waterproof bags are heavy so anything that dries easily like rain suits and sleeping mats are best packed without waterproof bags to reduce weight. These items can be dried in the sun or with a towel once camp is set up. Sleeping bags should always be put inside a trash bag before being placed inside the waterproof bag. Nothing worse than a wet sleeping bag.

When choosing your camp cookware you can go a little larger than you would with backpacking but lightweight aluminum is still the best choice. There are many aluminum camp cookware on the market that stack inside itself. The ability to stack everything inside itself will allow you to easily pack the set inside the hatch. These sets supply ample pots and pans for a campfire gourmet. A small camp stove will come in handy if it rains and the wood won't burn.

Food is very important when kayak camping and another reason for keeping the weight down and saving space in the hatches so you can pack the goodies. The sky is the limit on food you can pack away in a kayak and nothing makes a better campfire than a chicken on a spit for dinner or a hot pot of cowboy coffee in the morning, sipped while the dew burns away with the morning sun. Most kayak camping trips are one or two nights and with proper preparation, like wrapping frozen steaks in newspaper, you can have fresh meat and vegetables for your trip. The frozen meat will still be cool at the end of the day and if wrapped tightly a Cornish hen will still be partly frozen and will last until the next night. We never skimp on food on our kayak camping trips Pack a trail mix and keep it inside the cockpit along with a bottle of water to replenish the calories and fluids expended from paddling your campsite down the river.

Kayak camping is a great way to enjoy the river and spend time with your fellow kayakers. It is a great way to enjoy the fall foliage along the shore as you paddle your way to a gravel bar and a warm fire on a crisp autumn night. I can hear the juices dripping from the hen on the spit into the red hot coals sizzling with a hissssss.