Re: "Backwoods" camping
I have been on several weeklong plus paddle and portage trips. I try to go once a year and will be in the Quetico Wilderness in September this year for ten days. <br /><br />DaleT, you will need the basics for survival: Food, Water, Shelter, and Clothing.<br /><br />On Clothing: Lightweight, layerable clothing is a must as is light packable raingear made of goretex or nylon. A trashbag will work as a rain parka in a pinch but pretty much sucks. The cheap PVC coats and pants work too but you will be all wet inside from sweating like a pig. Fleece is great lightweight insulation. Bring plenty of fresh undercloths and socks but you can wear your outer cloths several times and in layers for different conditions and can get by without a change of pants for each day you're out there etc. The more you bring the more you have to carry!<br /><br />On shelter: If you're sleeping alone a nylon one or two man tent is enough. Don't bring in some big heavy thing, you'll have a hard time humping it around and finding a big enough level spot to pitch it. You must have a good rainfly with the tent as well as a ground cloth. Bring some parachute cord for guying the tent and fly out in case you have to weather a storm. You've camped before so I assume you have a nice sleeping bag and ground mat.<br /><br />On food: I like to bring foods that cook quickly to save fuel. Parboiled rice and beans, freezedried veggies, oatmeal, dried milk, oil, your favorite seasonings, lemon juice (for fish and to improve the tast of your water. Condensed foods like tomato paste or boxed marinara sauce can be stretched with water and seasonings for good sauces. Bisquick can be made into all kinds of complementary foods. Lots of snacks, cookies, the essential trailmix, sausage and cheese lasts a few days unless it gets too warm. Eliminate as much packaging as possible and put the foods in ziplock bags with the part of the box that has cooking instructions. Try to make a menu for the week in order to decide if you've got enough food. You don't need to follow the menu once you're in the woods, it just helps with planning. Bring enough food for a couple of extra days survival in case you have trouble. Consider how much water is in the food you want to bring, you might be able to save a lot of pack weight by finding a dehydrated alternative.<br /><br />On water: If you don't have a freshwater supply available on your trip you will need to carry a lot of water with you. If you have clean river or lake water you should have a water purifier along. Mine is a MSR brand and it fits onto Nalgene bottles and can make the water from a ditch in Mexico City safe to drink. Boiling water for ten minutes will make it safe also but consumes a LOT of fuel. Lemon juice in the water masks any residual flavors.<br /><br />Safety: Bring a GOOD first aid kit, Hydrogen Peroxide, a whistle for each camper, some candles for firestarting in the wet. Consider leaving the axe at home and use saws for firewood, a chopped foot or leg can put a whole group in a lot of danger when you are nowhere near a hospital. Bring one spare paddle (at least) for each canoe, strap it under your thwarts so it can't be lost in a capsize. Comfortable PFDs a must. Duct tape can be used to repair gashes in canoes and men. Some light wire might come in handy as well. Bring a trowel and toilet paper (in a water proof bag). Bug repellent with a high percentage of DEET will be invaluable. DO NOT keep food, soap, or anything perfumed in your tent. Hang food packs out of the reach of critters, bears in particular, at night. If you find evidence of bears in your campsite find a new one.<br /><br />Line your packs with heavy duty trash bags before packing to keep the contents dry. Bring extra bags to use as raincovers on the outside for rainstorms and nighttime dewfall. Portage packs by Granite Gear and Cooks Custom Sewing are the newer version of the Duluth pack. With their modern suspensions they are very comfortable and can carry tons of stuff. They lay nice and flat in the canoe as well.<br /><br />This got long! Most importantly, bring your patience and rember to leave the worries of the world behind!! You will be rewarded every day you are out there (even when it rains)!<br /><br />If you have any specific questions, ask! I'd be glad to help anyone get out into the wilderness and enjoy the world the way it was meant to be. Good luck and take a lot of pictures!!
it was an overall enjoyable experience. 