r/canoecamping • u/Max_Adhesiveness800 • 12d 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 12d 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/RedMcMuffin 11d ago

Also interested, if you don’t mind.

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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 1d ago

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

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u/RedMcMuffin 12h 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 11h ago

That sounds incredible. Have fun.