Early-season canoe camping

PADDLING
BY REBECCA BARTON-DAVIS

Once the snow starts to melt, and the trees start to green, it is a perfect time to get some early season canoe camping in. Each spring, the first 45 degree and sunny day, has many a leisurely kayaker and canoer out on the river, usually woefully unprepared for the cold water, and less than ideal nighttime conditions. These trippers may be fine, but there are a few steps you can take before setting off to guarantee a fun weekend on the river.

Pick the right craft

If you have different boats available, pick a stable one. The craft that is perfect for a light-on-gear summer trip may not be as seaworthy or maneuverable when packed with heavier cold-weather gear. Hopefully, you won’t run into any ice problems, but if the temperatures have been brisk, there is a chance you may be dodging some floating ice, and a heavier boat will be pushed around less than a lighter, lower-sided vessel. You may want to bring spray covers, which not only keep water out of the boat but will also keep you warmer, especially if you are out on a rainy day.

Check water conditions

Spring usually means melt and heavy rains, so waterways may be high or flooded. High water with the right equipment can make for a fun and fast adventure, but flooding can quickly turn a trip into something dangerous. If you know the river that you are planning to take a trip on, think about any debris or bridges that might cause a problem if the water is high. If the river is new to you, check local websites and DNR offices to see if the river is regularly cleaned out for boat traffic, or if you can expect to do some portaging due to blockages. Know your ability and keep the trip fun. Challenging your skills as a paddler might be something better to save for a day trip or a warmer weather adventure. Make sure that somebody knows your itinerary just in case you run into problems, and don’t be afraid to modify or cancel your trip if the conditions are not what you expect.

If you aren’t sure about a certain area, plan an out-and-back trip where you paddle up to camp, and then down the next day. Any dangers will then be approached more slowly since you will be fighting the current to get to them, instead of being driven towards obstacles. If you are having a hard time paddling up, or are simply uncomfortable with the conditions, turn around and cover the now-known stretch of river that will take you back to the car.

Have a fire starter

Winter, spring and fall canoe camping can be some of the best for the entire year, with low crowds, nice water levels and the pick of perfect campsites. However, unlike warm summer days, the ability to start a fire in any condition can really influence the overall enjoyment of the trip. Practice your fire-building skills at home, using materials that you will actually take on the trip, such as homemade lint fire starters, fatwood or whatever is your tool of choice.  Especially in the spring, there is a good chance any wood that you find will be wet, so prepare for that. Do not bring firewood from home! Transporting untreated wood leads to the spread of different insects and diseases that kill our trees. Plan to take a small stove in order to cook your meals, so at least you won’t be cold and hungry.

While not a campfire hack, but still a great tip for keeping warm, bring a Nalgene or similar high-quality water bottle on the trip and fill it with hot water before going to bed. Take the bottle (after making sure it is sealed and has no leaks!) and toss it in the bottom of your sleeping bag to keep your feet toasty warm.

Pack the extra shoes

Ultralight campers may baulk at the suggestion to pack a sturdy pair of camp shoes, but dry feet are a must on cold-weather canoe camp trip. High water can mean that a great summer dock is now underwater, causing a “booter” … where the water rises above the top of your boots and fills them up. Avoiding a booter is a top priority, but a badly placed foot on a portage, a slip or misjudged water depth can cause even the most experienced canoe camper to have wet feet. Usually paddling leaves me warmer than sitting around camp, so my paddling shoes may not be insulated enough during leisure time, while my heavier shoes may be too warm and leave me with sweaty (then cold) feet during the paddle. That extra pair of warm, dry pair of shoes at camp makes a world of difference.

Have an exit plan

As alluded to earlier, make sure you have an “emergency plan.” Someone should know where you are going, how long you expect to be out there and where you plan to camp. If you are going with a group, it may be wise to stage a car near where you plan to camp in case you need to evacuate. Sometimes evacuation may be due to cold, other times its water conditions or it may be because the fire situation didn’t work out as planned. Knowing that you have a plan to remove yourself from a tough situation makes the challenge of cold-weather canoe camping fun, instead of frightening.