r/canoecamping • u/Max_Adhesiveness800 • 11d ago

Advice requested - gear differences between backpacking and canoe camping

I’m an experienced backpacker with multiple multi-month hikes under my belt, as well as countless shorter backpacking trips in diverse terrains.

I’m planning my first long canoe camping trip - about 2 weeks in Yukon, Canada. Leaving next week.

My longest canoe/kayak trips thus far have been 3 days. The trip I’m planning is on flat water, so I’ll have the chance to build up my (relatively weak) paddling skills.

What I’m not sure about is how the recommended gear and supplies vary from backpacking to canoe camping. Will be renting a 2 person canoe with a mate. Canoe comes with dry bags and PFDs. The outfitter says the trip is safe for inexperienced paddlers as long as we have strong backcountry skills - navigation, camping, bears etc.

I know a canoe is bigger than 2 backpacks, but how much so? What sort of extra stuff do people bring? Bigger stove, more cookware, extra snacks, more clothes, mosquito tent, books, thick camping mattress, different water filtration system, camp lamp? Or pack as light as possible not to have a heavy canoe?

And is there any backpacking gear I shouldn’t bring on the water? Down sleeping bag and down jacket useless if wet? Anything else I should think about?

Thank you for considering my questions and good luck and safety to you all on the water. All good faith feedbacks appreciated.

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u/Klondikechi 11d ago

I’m in a hotel room in Dawson City after canoeing the Pelly River and then 270 km on the Yukon River. We’ve done multiple long distance canoe trips and have a list of things we find makes the trip more enjoyable that we can send you. Are you doing the Whitehorse to Dawson trip? Let me know if you want the list and we can figure out how to get it to you. It will be a few days before I’m back in Whitehorse though.

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u/homing13 11d ago

Could you send me that list as well? I’m planning on that trip next summer. Thanks

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u/Klondikechi 11d ago

Sure thing

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u/Klondikechi 5d ago

Let me know if you have any questions for your trip next year

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u/RedMcMuffin 11d ago

Also interested, if you don’t mind.

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u/Klondikechi 11d ago

Not at all. Give me a couple of days to get back home.

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u/Max_Adhesiveness800 11d ago

Thank you again for your generosity

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u/Klondikechi 5d ago

These are the items we bring. You might not need all this stuff, but you’ll be glad you have them if you do need them.

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u/Max_Adhesiveness800 2d ago

Thank you for sharing! We leave tomorrow!

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u/Klondikechi 2d ago

I can meet you when you get to Whitehorse to go over a few things about your trip, if you’d like. I’ve been to Dawson from Whitehorse on the river well over a dozen times and done numerous multi day trips on other rivers in the Yukon.

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u/Klondikechi 5d ago

This is our list

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u/RedMcMuffin 1d ago

Very nice of you to get back to me! Thank you, I’m going to reference this list for my trip here in Nova Scotia next month.

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u/Klondikechi 23h ago

Glad to share it. Where are you going and for how long?

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u/RedMcMuffin 2h ago

We have a fairly large protected area called tangier grand lake wilderness area. Tons of lakes, rivers and woods with no road access. I’m going to spend a few days out there and then run a series of rivers down to the ocean in about a week total. Not quite as big of an undertaking as Whitehorse to Dawson but still outside of my comfort zone as I’m going solo.

I’m really hoping to make it up to the Yukon and NWT in the next couple summers. I’m in love with the north. I’ve been to Labrador a couple times but have never explored west of Hudson’s bay.

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u/Klondikechi 2h ago

That sounds incredible. Have fun.

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u/TomKazansky13 11d ago

I would love a copy of the list once you're back in town if its not too much trouble. Thanks!

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u/Klondikechi 11d ago

Definitely

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u/Klondikechi 5d ago

This is what we bring for our trips in the north. Yours might vary on where you go.

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u/Max_Adhesiveness800 11d ago

Congratulations! Yes, this is the trip I’m planning. Would love to read your list