Gear List for a Watertribe Challenge by "Chief"

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December, 2002
Table of Contents

Surviving When Gods Play
By Steve John Isaac
Make a Hypothermia Kit
By Steve John Isaac
Modify Your Space Blanket
By Steve John Isaac
Dozing Off
By Steve John Isaac
Fueling the Fire
By Steve John Isaac
Hydrate Or Die
By Steve John Isaac
The WaterTribe Kit
By Steve John Isaac
How To Finish a Challenge
By Steve John Isaac
Tow, Tow, Tow Your Boat
By Steve John Isaac














The WaterTribe Kit
By Steve Isaac (aka Chief)

This is the recommended WaterTribe kit. It is designed for anything from an afternoon nap to a week in the bush. You can take a comfortable nap in the bush by carrying only the extra hypothermia kit and your camping hammock. If you're planning a WaterTribe Challenge in class 1, then you'll want to consider all the non-luxury items in this list. If you're going on a camping trip or expedition some of those luxury items may be very important to your success.

This kit will handle any weather, rain or shine, down to 32 degrees at night. It is intended for SW Florida in November through May. Other climates might need more or less protection. This kit meets WaterTribe required equipment rules (and then some).

Waterproof Matches
It's good to carry a couple of boxes of normal waterproof matches stored in convenient and key places.

But be sure to also carry some so called "Life Boat Matches," "Storm Safe Matches," or equivalent in your emergency hypothermia kit.  Once these matches are lit they will not go out even in rain, wind, or from violent shaking.  Caution - you must let them burn out completely before disposing.

Many items give a company or brand name. These are my current selections and are intended to be examples. Other companies may have similar or even better products. Select what works for you to fill the line item function.

The waterproof sacks I'm using are Outdoor Research (OR) Advanced Stuff Sacks. Sometimes I use SealLine bags.

Just because an item is found listed under a specific function does not mean it can't be used for some other function.  For example, if it is very cold, I'd add the poncho liner to my wool long johns and the cocoon sleeping bag.  I'd also put the sleeping pad in the hammock.  The only exception to this "cross use" statement is the "SACROSANCT" camp clothing.  You must not ever wear that clothing while paddling.  It's OK to wear paddling clothes in camp but it's not OK to wear camp clothes while paddling.

You can use this checklist as is or customize it for your particular needs and choices.

Shelter and Sleep System
Cocoon sleeping bag/blanket, synthetic insulation,
 in #2 Waterproof sack
Modified Hennessy UltraLight Hammock in #2 Waterproof sack
Sil Tarp (optional)
6 stakes and 50' light line in ditty bag in sack with hammock
6 clothes pins (for drying your paddle clothing) in sack with hammock
Closed cell Ridge Rest ground pad stuffed in tail of kayak
SACROSANCT Camp Clothing and Sleep Wear
This is stored in a #3 Waterproof Sack.  NEVER, EVER, under any circumstances wear this clothing for paddling.

1st Layer: wool or synthetic long johns (shirt and pants)
2nd Layer: expedition pants and shirt
Teva Sandals (allow your feet to dry out) (not in sack)
Wool or Polartec watch cap
Wool or Polartec socks
Wool or Polartec gloves or mittens (optional)
Kitchen and Pantry in CCS Kitchen Bag
2 Liter pot with cover or a tea kettle
Pot holder
Measuring cup
Extra MSR fuel canister
MSR Superfly stove with fuel canister and hanging system
Waterproof matches
1 Paring or fillet knife
1 Tough plastic knife and spoon
Coffee cup with cover
Water purification tablets
Individual sheets of paper towel stored in Ziploc bag
Extra Ziploc bags
Hypothermia Kit With Your PFD
AND In Your Boat in Waterproof Sack(s)
In or With Your PFD Additional Gear In Your Boat
Orange Plastic Survival Bag
Ranger Rick Modified Mylar Space Blanket
3 PowerGels or Stingers
3 Chemical heat packs in crush proof box
Candle Lantern
Waterproof matches
Life Boat Matches
Fire Ribbon or starter
Folding eye glasses (optional)
Sil or Military Poncho
Ranger Rick Poncho Liner
Mylar sleeping bag
More heat packs
More waterproof matches
More Life Boat Matches
More Fire Ribbon or starter
Resin or paraffin impregnated kindling
Paddle Wear: Day Time, Good Weather
The Mysterioso top and bottom will work in cold or cool temps and even somewhat warm temps.  However, for hot weather substitute a lighter weight rash guard

1st Layer Cool Weather and/or Cold Water:
Mysterioso M-Tech, Polartec, Power Stretch tights and long sleeve top
1st Layer Hot Weather and Warm Water:
RailRiders Tough Tights and a light weight rash guard shirt with long sleeves
Nylon or Supplex shorts (quick drying), worn over the tights
Tilley or Ultimate Sun/Rain Hat
Boat Shoes, should give protection to your ankles – (socks optional)
Sunglasses with retention strap, look for full UV protection and don't spend more than $20.
Paddle Wear: Night Time, Good weather
Outer Layer: Kokatat Gore-Tex Paclite Anorak
or GoLite Newt Jacket (9 oz.)
Outer Layer: Kokatat Gore-Tex Paclite Pants
or GoLite Reed Pants (5 oz.)
Fuzzy Rubber skull cap or Polartec skull cap or ear band
Paddle Wear: Foul or Cold Weather
Middle Layer: 100 weight Polartec vest and/or shirt
Middle Layer: 100 weight Polartec pants
Chotas and/or Smart Wool socks (optional)
Paddle Poggies
Cascade Designs Large Pack Towel (for wringing out paddling clothing at night)
It doesn't hurt to carry another Pack Towel for your own use
Boat Gear
Main paddle with leash
Spare paddle
Paddle float with lanyard roughly 3 feet long
Main electric or foot operated bilge pump
Backup bilge pump
Sponge
Inflatable seat pad
Thermos
Comprehensive repair, patch, and tool kit with duct tape
Sail Rig (optional) --
          Class 1: Balogh TWIN, or Spirit Sails
          Class 3: Balogh BOSS
Sprayskirt containing on-the-water boat patch kit
Cockpit cover
Spare hatch covers
Deck bag holding pharmacy, night paddling gear, Leatherman, food, batteries, duct tape, VHF, blister 1st aid kit
Well Found PFD
EPIRB
Strobe/Flashlight combo (replace batteries regularly)
Knife
3 Flares
1 to 3 Smoke canisters
Signal mirror
Whistle
Hypothermia kit (see details above)
Small fish eye compass
Randall Mini Survival Kit
Navigation
Charts in special waterproof chart bag with 2 caribiners
Waterproofed waypoint list with notes
Waterproofed flip cards for each "chunk"
Mini Red LED flashlight tied to chart bag
Navigation Quad tool
Compass
Watch
GPS and lanyard with deck bracket
Backup GPS (optional)
Binoculars 7 or 8 by 35 to 50 depending on physical size you want (optional)
Waterproof log book with pencil
Night Paddling
Hands Free Headlamp – Petzl Duo or multi LED type
Powerful, waterproof hand flashlight (at least 4 AAs)
1 White chemical light stick per night plus 1 spare
1 LazerBrite Red/Green LED light (optional)
Passive reflector tape permanently installed on the boat and/or reflective deck lines
Communication
Waterproof and submersible VHF
AA battery adapter for VHF (as a backup)
Cell phone in special waterproof bag
Cell phone 12 volt charger (optional)
Roll of quarters for pay phones and/or calling card in Get Away Bag
Hydration, Fuel, and Food – 8 Days
Each morning move the day's supply of food and fuel from the rear hatch to the deck bag, day hatch, PFD or where ever it will be handy. You can also do this at each chunk during your rest break. Obviously you need to make your own list. This is more or less what I carry for 8 days.

Gatorade or favorite sports drink in 1 to 4 liter bladder with drinking tube, in cockpit, day hatch, PFD, or on back deck.  Replenish at each "chunk." It's important that the volume of your hydration bladder is enough to finish the next chunk or open water crossing.
3 caffeinated PowerGel or Stinger packs per day
3 non-caffeinated PowerGel or Stinger packs per day
Jerky enough for about ½ to 1 pound per day in deck bag. Repackage in 1/2 pound vacuum bags.
Gorp or snacks for each day
1 Orange, 1 apple, 1 banana per day for meals or snacks
3 Cheerios Milk and Cereal Breakfast Bars per day for meals or  snacks
1 MetRx or Ensure can per night, consume before sleep
Pita bread 2 pieces per day in re packaged vacuum bags
Peanut Butter for the pita bread
Jelly or stinger packs for the pita bread
Freeze dried coffee
Hot chocolate mix 1 per day
1 Freeze dried meal for every two days
Water filter if traveling in fresh water regions (optional)
Water purification tablets (always)
1 Gallon jug of water – replenish at each checkpoint
Another gallon jug of water or equivalent Gatorade – replenish at each checkpoint. But I start with as much liquid Gatorade as I have room for in the boat. It's a lot of weight at first but is reduced at a steady rate. Re supply can be problematic in some areas. You can carry powdered Gatorade instead of liquid but it's more of a hassle. I carry one tub of powder just as a backup anyway.
Body Maintenance in a SealLine See 5 bag
Toilet Paper & matches
Purell (to disinfect your hands)
Trowel (in its own Ziploc)
Pee bottle in the cockpit while paddling and in the hammock while sleeping
Pharmacy
Prescription drugs as necessary
Purell ( to help dry your hands or feet and wash your hands)
Aspirin
Imodium AD
Chewable Pepto Bismal
Chewable Dramamine
Benadryl tablets and spray
Neosporin Plus (some people are allergic to Neosporin)
Desitin
Medicated drying powder
Sunscreen
Sunburn ointment
Chapstick
Vaseline
Body Glide
Insect Repellant
Dental chewing gum
Other items as necessary, substitute brands as desired, check for compatibility and allergic reactions before placing in kit
Possibles
First aid kit with Sawyer Extractor and resuscitation mask
Spare batteries
Eye glasses with a spare
Magnifying glass for reading charts
Camera and/or camcorder
Medical ID for identifying allergies or other medical conditions
Dog tags or waterproof ID card for identification in case you die
Get Away Bag
You will need this when you run to the nearest 7-11 to get some supplies. Clip into the rear hatch area for easy but safe access.

Small waterproof belt pack carrying ==>
Wallet with ID, cash, and credit cards
Roll of quarters
Keys
Glasses
Other Items as YOU Deem Necessary for Safe and Efficient Open Water Paddling.
That's the end of the basic WaterTribe Kit. But if you are doing a challenge or an expedition you may want to add the following items.

After Trip Bag in #2 Waterproof Sack or a SealLine bag
Shower kit: bar of soap, shaving kit, tooth brush & paste, floss, towel, other items as necessary
Under shorts
Pants with belt or suspenders
WaterTribe t-shirt
Socks
Running shoes
Although the basic kit is surprisingly comfortable, you may want to add certain items when you are "cruising" on a planned camping trip. But even luxury items should be considered carefully for weight and bulk.

Luxury Items
Therm-a-rest pad at well over 3 lb.
Additional tent or tarp
Additional pots, pans, and other kitchen items
Coffee pot
Bigger stove, more fuel
Fishing and/or diving gear
Campfire materials: starter, kindling, hatchet, etc.
Campfire grate
Baking oven
Harmonica or other torture device
Book
Chess or checkers set
Playing cards
Lafuma sling chair at 4.5 lb. is a big load but provides sinful comfort in camp.  But you won't have room unless you are paddling a Kruger Dreamcatcher.
Additional clothing
Additional body maintenance items
That one luxury item you can't do without
Key Points
Start out with a basic kit that provides for all your critical needs
Keep it fast and light so you can take it all the time.
Packed bulk is as important as weight
Consider components that work together as a system
Pare it down to a minimum that still provides comfort and protection
Add trip specific items as needed
Add luxury items sparingly
Finally
Believe it or not, this is a light weight kit.  The list seems endless but many of the items are very small.  You can't really save much weight for Boat Gear, Navigation, Paddle Clothing, etc. The weight saving must come from the camping equipment.  The "camping" portion of the list is only about 10 pounds -- that's light.

Food and water weighs what it weighs.  You can save weight by carefully calculating your real needs.  Challengers usually carry way too much food.  It's not unusual to have 10, 20 even 30 pounds left over after your first challenge.

Paddlers in class 2 (racing kayaks and canoes) will get nightmares from this list.  They will pare it back to almost nothing.  In my opinion they are rolling the dice with each race.  Their almost super human capabilities will usually get them through, but it's not worth the risk to me.  I'll carry this kit and be comfortable and safe when I have to sit out bad weather.

© 2003 Steve Isaac. All Rights Reserved





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