- Main Items
- Overview
- Layout
Main Items
| Items | From | Price | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta 15.5 Kayak
notes: My faithful companion! Named “Reverie”. I opted for this brand of kayak because it was the only one Kanoe People carried new in stock, haha. Scott described it as “the minivan” of its lineup as the hatches are generously big despite its more compact 15 ft frame. I did not choose a longer kayak (16ft-18ft) because they are less stable, and I travel lightly enough to not need the extra storage space. This size was the perfect in between. The day hatch is convenient, the foam seat is incredibly comfortable and adjustable, and the rudder is a must-have. Repeatedly dragging it onto rocky shores never compromised the hull. Though the grab handle on the bow snapped from excessive use in the last leg of the journey (it lived a fair life considering I would use it to drag my entire 110+ lb rig across the ground often.)
specs:
|
Kanoe People | $2850 CAD
|
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| NRS Ninja Life Jacket
notes: At the time of my arrival, Up North Adventures stocked three primary NRS models-the Ambient, which was sleek but didn’t have nearly enough storage space; the Chinook, which had abundant storage space but was excessively bulky; and the Ninja, which I felt was a good compromise between the two. It must be lifted UP over your head and has a clamshell pocket design. I managed to fit my phone, Garmin inReach Mini 2, emergency mylar blanket, lighter, matches, and band-Aids inside. I wish it were slightly roomier but otherwise had no complaints.
specs:
|
New — Up North Adventures | $200 CAD |  |
| Aqua Bound Sting Ray Fiberglass Paddle
notes: This was the cheapest 2-piece paddle that Kanoe People had in stock. Aqua Bound is a reputable brand so I felt comfortable with the choice. For $100 more, I could have purchased their carbon fiber model, but felt the price wasn’t worth the minuscule weight difference. My blades performed perfectly well while paddling and never broke, even though I routinely used them to push off the bank. However, I have one major complaint: the ferrule-snap button to adjust each blade’s position is incredibly stiff. It made it impossible for me to readily, safely switch between feathering and not on the fly. I ALWAYS carried a spare paddle; you should too.
specs:
|
Kanoe People | $190 CAD/each
$380 CAD |
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| NRS Paddle Float
notes: Thankfully, I never had to use my paddle float so I can’t speak to how well it performs! I went with this model because NRS is a reputable brand and it was one of two options of comparable price at Up North Adventures
specs:
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New — Up North Adventures | $68 CAD |  |
| Level Six Paddle Leash
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notes: I bought this paddle leash from Up North Adventures and then never used it! I thought I had lost it upon departure. (Later, it would appear in a pocket of my backpack, where it would remain indefinitely.) Scott from Kanoe People felt badly enough for me that he gave me a replacement for free. I can’t recall the make or model. It functioned just as well and was an invaluable addition. I would not set off down the river without a paddle leash!
specs:
|
New — Up North Adventures | $27 CAD |  |
| Level Six Bilge Pump
notes: Up North Adventures had two bilge pumps in stock of a comparable price– this, and a larger model by NRS. I was persuaded into purchasing this one for its smaller size. Turns out, size doesn’t matter when your bilge pump rests on your open deck! This bilge pump was OK. It worked reasonably enough, but I wish I had opted for the name brand NRS instead as I fear its flow wasn’t the best.
specs:
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New — Up North Adventures | $30 CAD |  |
| North Water Micro Throw Line
notes: $38 for a rope? It horrified me to pay this much! I highly suggest purchasing your rope in advance of arrival in White Horse, or maybe check the Walmart in town. Price aside, this works great. I kept it attached to the bow of my boat for whenever I need to tow my kayak on foot (simply grabbing the bow handle sucks when in the water!) or tie my kayak on shore.
specs:
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New — Kanoe People | $55 CAD |  |
| Fox 40 Sonik Blast Whistle
notes: I chose this whistle because it was the most highly rated one I could find on the market. I love to scour gear review sites and forums before making my choice. Luckily, the consensus online was clear enough to make this an easy yes!
specs:
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New — Amazon | $10.99 |  |
| Dry bags
notes: Oh boy! I left the lower-48 with three Walmart brand dry bags, only to feel inadequate upon arrival in White Horse, Canada, at which point I bought two more at a premium price. Still, I had two 2-gallon ziplock bags full of gear that remained exposed until I decided, once again, to bite the bullet and order another set of dry bags, shipped to the post office at Fort Yukon, Alaska. In hindsight, I wish I would have saved myself the headache and bought 7-8 dry bags from the get go. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind going with the cheapest available options, as I like to keep all my most precious gear in zip lock bags as a backup, and the hatches on a kayak are meant to be waterproof too, but I can’t say I recommend you take the risk I’m willing to to save money, haha.
specs:
|
New — Walmart, Kanoe People, etc. | $100 |  |
| Seals Tropical Tour Spray Skirt
notes: I wore my spray skirt whenever paddling as one should! Of course you look ridiculous on land, especially if you’ve stepped away from your boat with it still around your waist, haha. This model dries incredibly fast and is sooooo much easier to secure around the rim of your kayak than your standard neoprene models. (Granted, there’s always a trade-off. Bungee-style skirts such as this are more user-friendly but don’t allow for as tight of a seal/implode off the rim easier.) Scott had both types on hand, and when I went to try the other, I couldn’t even attach it, the material (rand rims) is so stiff and resistant! The suspenders are comfortable, you forget that you’re wearing them, and the skirt showed no signs of wear throughout my trip. I can’t say it kept water out 100% as that’s a tall order, but it performed perfectly well for river travel. ( You’d probably want something a bit tougher, neoprene, out on the ocean with really rough surf.)
specs:
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New — Kanoe People | $197 CAD |  |
| NRS Boundary Boots
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notes: My booooots! I am in love with these things. After my kayak, Reverie, they’re my favorite gear item. They are completely waterproof, stylish, and comfortable. You can’t even feel the cold through them when placing your feet into frigid waters. I continue to wear them as my primary footwear in the months after my trip. I only wish they were knee high, and that they had a more aggressive tread, then they’d be perfect! They also cannot be worn without socks due to their neoprene insoles.
specs:
|
New — Amazon | $120 |  |
| NRS HydroSkin Gloves
notes: These are miraculous-so long as you can keep them from getting holes! I marveled in wonder at them for the first two weeks of my journey, and then they got pricked on something and the magic burst. Well, not entirely, haha. They were still great to wear everyday but couldn’t be fully submerged any longer without taking on water. If I had the cash, I would have bought a spare pair.
specs:
|
New — Up North Adventure | $50 CAD |  |
| Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket
notes: This jacket was the worst! Ironically, I wore it the majority of the time, but in any sustained rains (as in storms lasting a few hours or all day) it failed epic-ly and I got wet. Nearly crushed my morale and had me give up paddling at Galena, Alaska. The zipper snags often too. Perhaps I received a defective model, I’m not sure. I specifically chose this rain jacket because it ranks at the top of nearly every backpacking gear list, from Outdoor Gear Lab to Switchback Travel.
specs:
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Used — Patagonia Worn Wear | $80 |  |
| Columbia Rebel Roamer Rain Pants
notes: These rain pants performed much better than my rain jacket, ironically, and impressively. They’re the definition of “good for the price.” A budget option indeed!
specs:
|
New — Amazon | $45 |  |
| SealSkinz
notes: I wore these only 2 or 3 times on the entire trip. They otherwise took up unnecessary space in my dry bag. I considered shipping them home once, but hesitated, fearing, “what if I need them in an emergency, and all my other socks are well?” so I kept them on board. The ample space provided in a kayak or canoe allows for these extra comforts, stowaways, that would otherwise have to be scarified while backpacking, bicycle touring, or long riding.
specs:
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New — Amazon | $31.50 |  |
| KEEN Newport Water Sandal
notes: Oh boy, is this embarrassing. I bought these butt-ugly keens (if you’re questioning my choice in color, they were the cheapest!) in case I didn’t like my boots enough, only to fall so madly in love with my boots that I never wore these sandals. They sat neglected in my kayak, only put on once, maybe, out of pity more than necessity. Foot wear is such a personal choice. Some people swear by sandals and wouldn’t give boots a second glance. Evidently, they’re not my type!
specs:
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New — Amazon | $75 |  |
| Mossberg Maverick 88 Shotgun W/ Folding Stock
notes: My first gun, nicknamed “Maverick,” which then became “OTP Maverick” with the OTP standing for “One Trick Pony” as he had a tendency to jam after shooting. I kept him loaded with one buckshot followed by five slugs, with a few extras carried in a ziplock bag. He slept by my side every night and, thankfully, I never had to shoot any men or bears along the way. Only one pesky seagull! A long gun with its slender frame readily fits into the bow or stern hatch of a kayak. The folding stock is invaluable to save space.
specs:
|
New — Pawn Shop | $340* |  |
| UDAP Bear spray
notes: I kept my bear spray in the day hatch of my kayak while paddling, in a belt holster while on land, and next to me in my tent.
specs:
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New — Kanoe People | $55 CAD |  |
| Garmin inReach Mini 2
notes: Incredible!! This year, I upgraded from a SPOT Gen 3 to a Garmin inReach Mini 2, and I’m so happy I made the switch. It routinely ranks #1 on lists for the best PLB/satellite messenger. Being able to send unlimited messages to family no matter my location, as well as receive daily weather reports, was priceless! I kept it clipped in the clamshell pocket of my life jacket while paddling.
specs:
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New — Amazon | $325 + monthly sub. |  |
| BigBlue Solar Panel
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notes: I attempted to use a solar panel on my walk across America and thought it useless, forging one ever since. Until my friend, Sea, offered to let me borrow hers for my Yukon paddle. I reluctantly agreed and, boy, am I so glad I did! This thing was epic, it kept my battery pack completely charged for nearly the entire trip so I never had to worry about my phone or Garmin inReach dying! It was invaluable.
specs:
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Used — Loan from friend | $— |  |
| Anker Power Bank 26,800 mAh
notes: My tried and true battery pack. It’s heavy as a brick, but can take a serious beating and still remain operable. I brought two along, but almost never had to use the spare. I only wish it could charge via a USB-C port, so I wouldn’t have to carry so many different types of cords. Refurbished models can often be found on eBay in the $30 range.
specs:
|
Used — Amazon | $32.78 |  |
| Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent
notes: I was so excited to find this tent practically brand new on Facebook Marketplace for $175! It performed beautifully. 2/3rds of the way I ripped the rainfly, but that was because it caught on a zipper and I tugged impatiently. I sent it in for repairs, and Big Agnes sent me a new replacement for free! I always carry a splint on me in case a tent pole snaps unexpectedly in the field.
specs:
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Used — Facebook Marketplace | $175 |  |
| Hyke & Byke Eolus Down Sleeping Bag
notes: This sleeping bag has been with me on every adventure, ever faithful. Its zipper broke long ago, yet I’ve continued to use it with success. This, finally, has been its last voyage. It has been well loved and will remain a cherished keepsake of mine. There is no better budget option for a lightweight 0 degree bag.
specs:
|
Used — Previously Owned | $— |  |
| Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad
notes: I swear mine has a minuscule hole in it, so when I wake up at random in the night I notice its deflated a bit and reinflate it fully to sleep easy for another few hours. This was a luxury that travelling in a kayak granted me. Normally while travelling, I forgo a sleeping pad to save space/weight. Being young, I can sleep on the ground without one, no problem.
specs:
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Used — Previously Owned | $— |  |
| Sawyer Mini Water Filter
notes: I had read online that the Yukon is notorious for clogging water filters, rendering them useless, but I did NOT share that experience! I used my Sawyer throughout the entire river, even at its siltiest on the Run To The Delta, and never had a problem. However, I made sure to backwash it after EVERY liter of water to ensure it continued to flow, otherwise it would slow to a trickle. Thankfully, there are an abundance of clear water mountain springs that meet with the Yukon to lessen the need for a filter, or the chance of having one break, anyway.
specs:
|
New/Used — Amazon, Previously Owned | $25 |  |
| Etekcity Portable Stove
notes: These stoves are cheap as dirt, yet reliable and lightweight. My ignition switched stopped working roughly halfway and I had to use a lighter to get it lit. I carried a spare on me at all times.
specs:
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Used — Previously Owned | $— |  |
Overview
List
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Layout
FRONT HATCHstrapped on top closest to cockpit-heaviest center furthest from cockpit-lightest |
DAY HATCHquick access items LIFE JACKET• Garmin/GPS beacon
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__ __BACK HATCH__ __strapped on top closest to cockpit-heaviest center furthest from cockpit-lightest |
