What to Bring?

Your paddling adventure on Superior may include a wide range of weather. Nights can be quite cool and days warm, mostly it's very sunny and occasionally it rains!

Many people have come for visits in July wishing they had a pair of long underwear and hat with them, others in September have regretted not having their swim suits along. For your safety and comfort, we suggest that you come prepared for diverse conditions and follow the suggested guidelines:

Clothing

• Three sets of underwear and wool socks (leave the cotton socks at home).
• One warm sweater or fleece jacket (unless you can layer the sweater AND the jacket together, bring one or the other)
• One good quality, waterproof rain jacket and rainpants
• Two t-shirts (preferably not cotton)
• Bathing suit
• Small travel towel
• One pair of camp pants (nylon or quick dry)
• One pair shorts
• One set long underwear (capilene or polypropylene)
• Fleece gloves or mittens and warm hat/toque (it can get cold on Lake Superior even in July)
• Paddling jacket (we have some available to borrow)

 

Footwear

Please bring two pairs of shoes:

• One for water. We recdommend water shoes/aqua socks/neoprene booties or sandals that can get wet. Your feet WILL get wet. Be prepared!
• One dry pair for camp and walking around- no need for hiking boots.

Personal Items

• Your camera! Don't forget a waterproof case, extra film/memory card and batteries!
• A hat for sun protection
• Sunscreen and sunglasses (with strap) are ESSENTIAL (a chapstick with SPF is a good idea as well.)
• Personal hygiene products such as deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, biodegradable soap, and a hairbrush. Look for environmentally friendly products at your local drugstore or health store.
• Your personal medication. Labelled clearly, in waterproof containers. Twice as much as you need, in two separate containers.
• Extra prescription glasses/contact lenses.
• Field guides on local flora and fauna (optional)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Water bottle and insect repellent
• Bug jacket (optional).
• Personal journal/reading material (optional)
• Sleeping bag (small and stuff-able. NO large flannel bags please)
• Sleeping pad (we have foam-style pads for you to borrow but if you have a cushy therm-a-rest we suggest that you bring it.)

Good Layering Rules for Cold Water Paddling

• Layer one: synthetic long underwear.
• Layer two: farmer John or Jane wet suit (for on water) pants & top of fleece, wool or pile (on land)
• Layer three: rain gear, wind breaker or paddling jacket.
• Gloves and hat

AVOID COTTON CLOTHES for cold water paddling- it dries slowly and will not keep you warm when wet. Having cotton t-shirts in the mix though is fine if the weather is hot – cotton will help you keep cool if you get them wet.

Items You Don't Need to Bring

• Food (we have lots), camp cooking equipment and eatlery.
• Toilet paper
• First Aid and Repair kits
• Maps
• Your cellphone/blackberry (you're on holiday now, plus-it won't work anyway)

Because you are limited in packing space, please do not bring more than you need. If you have any questions, please give us a call and talk to us, we'll be happy to listen. Reserve one hatch for group gear and the other hatch for your personal items. 1.800.203.9092