I’m off to Algonquin for the first backcountry trip of the year (actually, I’ve done some winter hikes, so it’s the first canoe trip of the season). I’ve taken the canoe out for a quick spin already, but I find the first trip always to be the toughest… I spend all winter forgetting what it’s like. Invariably, I’ll have forgotten something, and I know I’ve taken too much with me again. This winter seems particularly bad, as I just spent it cocooning.
I’m going with someone new, and it’s his first time in the backcountry, so I’ve basically brought enough for three people… I’m sure I’ll pay for it in my aching back, hauling all of that stuff out.
I’m still ahead of when I first did my thing back in the day, with canvas tents and army boots and heavy, simple things, but heavy, simple things had a bit of truth to them… I think I’m taking five gadgets for every one thing I’ve replaced.
I’m going to make an effort to stop that trend, even though I’m buying a GPS soon this year.
The thing I’ll be trying out this trip is my new canoe pack. It’s an effort to get simpler and lighter. I don’t need a hiking pack on a canoe trip, and I’m going to try and stick with the simpler Duluth-style pack. I’m easing into it, however, to see if this one works well. I’ll replace the other hiking pack if I feel comfortable enough.
The other think I’m going to try and do is update this blog with a trip log. I actually haven’t had this site up long enough to have gone on a trip with this in mind, so I’m going to have to try and pay attention, and take notes when I can.
It’s been crazy at work and having something going on every night up until the day before my canoe trip hasn’t let me plan terribly well (I didn’t even realize that I didn’t have matches or a fresh lighter for the trip!), but I’m sure I’ll get by. I have my trusty striker, and my stove bag always has a few birthday candles and a lighter in it.
I hope.
I actually haven’t had time to check.
See you next Wednesday, folks.