Canoe Gear Load Out (Part 1)

In this video I cover all of the gear I take on my canoe camping trips. Specifically my 5 day solo trip in the Okeefenokee Swamp in SE GA.
I few things to note about the gear set-up:
Certain items like my PFD stay set-up the exact same for all my paddling. I don’t remove items from my PFD so I don’t forget them on a different trip. I don’t necessarily need the knife/strap cutter for this trip but that’s where they reside.
The headlamp and the small light from treadlite collectively weight 42grams. I don’t pack those plus the goal zero light for redundancy, but more for convenience. Having a stationary light over my chuck box is much preferred than the headlamp. Leaving a light in the hammock is preferred over using my headlamp/moving the goal zero light around.
I have tried multiple different types of filters to make the water drinkable, but just have not found a solution to remove the tannins and bitterness. So I have to tote the water I need for the trip.
All my gear with the exception of the water can be packed down into the main dry bag/camera case/chuck box. So although it may look like a lot of items, it is separated out for easy access. The chuck box is only about 1/3 full to its capacity and if I find a viable option I will eventually upgrade that to a smaller box.
I am very weight conscious and this set-up is weighed out by each individual item on lighterpack.com. The vast majority of weight in most folks gear load out comes from clothing and your sleep system. I have dialed that in to keep a limited load on those items specifically.
I have essentially no portaging in the areas I go so although weight is considered it is not a driving factor for my trips. When I am backpacking that is a driving factor, but this is a different scenario entirely.
If you have any questions about the items I chose and why, feel free to ask! Thanks!

[@Lou_Zasil]

Tell me you don't portage , without telling me you don't portage. Thanks for the video

[@JimHep]

No need to in the SE! Glad you enjoyed the videos.

[@johnswanson3741]

This guy should not be allowed in the wilderness with all the nonsense he has to carry

[@JimHep]

@@johnswanson3741 please, teach me your ways.

[@bluesideup007]

Nice job. I always like to see what and how other pack, even if after 40 years I have my own system. You can always learn something new.

[@JimHep]

Hey I appreciate you checking the video out. It is always a progressive evolution. I have some footage I need to sit down and edit with the most recent changes I have made.

[@johnfuniciello]

Great video, I am just returning to paddling after not doing so since I was little. I now am the proud owner of an Old Town Discovery that my grandfather handed down to me. Can’t wait to get out in the Adirondacks with my kids and wife. Thanks for the great video! PS: Any Krakauer book is a book worth reading 👍🏻

[@JimHep]

That is awesome! Well I hope you enjoy the water and the memories to be made. I appreciate you checking out the video. I agree. He has some excellent reads. 🙌

[@Sailor376also]

I travel by canoe as well. Most trips are short, for me, 100 to 200 miles 2 weeks plus or minus. Longest to date 3 months. I carry my own water. I gave up on filters. I gave up on sleeping bags. I gave up on bunches of fancy gear. Lotsa wool, clothes, blankets, socks, yep. I did not see inside your boat,, I have about 60 D rings or attachment points. EVERYTHING is tied to, lashed down. Whatever you don't tie to the boat, you will lose. Out west, you carry your poop out with you. No cat holes You carry out every scrap. Wash your dishes? Run the wash water through a strainer to capture the tiny food scraps. I use a full cover with skirts. Contact North Water for that. Repair of the canoe means glass, resin and required tools. Gotta have two nice pillows. Oh.. one to turn you on to,, Buffalo Wool company. Get a pair of Advantage Trekker boot socks. Spoil your feet. Cashmere to sleep in,,, nothing warmer,, nothing softer.

[@JimHep]

Appreciate you throwing out some great suggestions! Stay safe out there!

[@danfromga9696]

Filters are useless unless you are backpacking! Something I being on the newer side of canoeing am just now reazling. I filtered water from the okefenokee and it looked like piss! I had to drink and use it! It was all I had! I carry potassium permanganate just in case but that's no better!!

[@Sailor376also]

@@danfromga9696 You got it. It all follows, Keep it Simple. Carry your water, You are in a canoe, take whatever you like. Water includes gatoraid and beer. water includes pasta sauce. If you have to carry water,, there is no need to do dehydrated anything.

[@robertespinoza9352]

I really enjoyed this video. Just went on my first canoeing trip this past weekend and this video really helped out a lot. Thanks for putting this up!

[@JimHep]

Glad it was helpful! Everyone has a slightly different setup, but the biggest thing is to get out there and often!

[@l214laus]

Welcome back and welcome to the front of the camera view. Wednesday afternoon here and I'll watch the video tonight. Cheers from Paul, south east Australia (has been mid 30's C for much of January).

[@JimHep]

Absolutely! Appreciate you checking the video out!

[@alderwildernessexperiences9373]

Loved the video, I always enjoy seeing how and what gear other people pack. This was one of my favourites!

[@JimHep]

Appreciate the comment! I was definitely trying out some new gear/set-ups for this trip. Part of the reason I made it was to go back and watch it while I pack in the future to remind me what I brought,what I used and what I didn’t.

[@maxcavenphotography]

Sweet video. Fun to see the similarities and differences of canoe camping in the North vs the South!

[@JimHep]

Absolutely! I appreciate you checking it out!

[@Zakrivers]

Great kit! Paddle on! 🛶

[@KEYTOWN071ADVENTURES]

Nice spot !! Great video

[@JimHep]

It is a wonderful location! One of the only places I can link up so many days of actual solitude. Thanks for watching!

[@jcavenagh]

I agree that light weight merino wool is very comfortable across a wide temperature range. And it is easy to wash and does not retain body odor the way many synthetics do.

[@JimHep]

I have been hooked on it since I bought a second hand merino wool shirt several years ago.

[@BakerVidz]

Greetings from Southwest GA.

[@josephpettigrew2415]

Good Flick, Thank You. Cheers Joseph Venice Fl, Stay Virt

[@JimHep]

Hey thank you sir! Stay safe out there!

[@thebenman8657]

Wow! Never thought about everything that went into all of this. 😅

[@JimHep]

Years of dialing in gear. It’s all part of it and never ends! Appreciate you checking the video out!

[@jeffreyerwin3665]

I moved the seat on my Mad River Slipper to the stern and put the camping gear in the bow to counter-balance. Any canoe is easier to steer from a stern seat position. from the stern, you do not need the annoying double paddle.

[@mikeratkowski3506]

Totally agree with head phone comment❤️

[@Bamaoutdoors]

Great video man! I just watched your 5 day trip and was wondering about the gear you had lol! I'm wanting to do at least a 3 day trip in the swamp. I was wondering what the distance was between the platforms for a kayak trip?

[@JimHep]

Hey sorry for the delayed response! I’m glad you had a chance to check out the last trip. I was probably a big lighter in that trip last year, but life has been a bit chaotic and so I didn’t critique this load out as much as I normally do. You can check out the recommended trips here: www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Trip_Itineraries_Oke_01_17_22.pdf I just posted the trip video from this gear load out. A 3+ day trip is well worth it! The paddling itself is pretty easy, but you do paddle every inch. No current to really speak of. Wind can be a bit of an issue in the open prairies. If you do go check out the maps on Avenza! I like to track myself on the paper map, but the geo-referenced maps are jam up.

[@Bamaoutdoors]

@@JimHep thanks for the info!!

[@rmf9567]

Great, set up, but myself being from the far north of New England I couldn’t imagine going out on my canoe without an axe 🪓.. keep up the good work

[@JimHep]

I find the ax to be somewhat overkill for MOST of my trips. Not all. When going solo though I prefer to keep the fire small and use a folding saw. The ax comes with some risk. If I know there is rain in the forecast I will bring it so that I can split rounds and get to dry wood.

[@danfromga9696]

I would be interested to know what all you bring food wise, I have a hard time bringing anything other than mountain house lol..

[@JimHep]

I tend to go with fresh fruit/veggies to supplement the processed foods. The eggs unwashed/unrefrigerated will get you through a whole week. I will vacuum seal and freeze as much as I can and typically by morning 3 everything is thawed out and I am into processed food. First couple of days I am eating steak, sausages, etc. I keep my cooler inside the other case and toss a wool blanket over the top of the case to keep the sun from beating down on it.

[@semperfi3082]

The chicken eggs can’t be washed in order to stay good on counter. If you wash them you wash the protective coating off them. Even if you just use water and light finger scrubbing.

[@JimHep]

That is correct. I don’t wash them until I am ready to cook.

[@johnkassimatis6719]

Who makes the wax bags? Johnny Hiker

[@JimHep]

Badger claw outfitters 👍

[@michaelcowart6100]

Are you filming only with a go pro?

[@JimHep]

Yes. Go Pro hero 6.

[@kyleshilman8541]

Can you provide a link to the hat?

[@JimHep]

Which one specifically?

[@kyleshilman8541]

@@JimHep oops my bad! I was referring to the beanie.

[@JimHep]

@@kyleshilman8541 no worries. The beanie is made on my families Alpaca Ranch in Southern Illinois. Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch. rollingoakalpacaranch.com/

[@thebenman8657]

21:45 I had no clue. 🤔🥚🍳

[@JimHep]

Yup! You want them unrefrigerated and I prefer mine unwashed until I go to use them. Just remember they don’t get checked like commercial eggs so you COULD end up with a slightly more developed egg, but out of the dozens of dozens I have personally never had one.

[@l214laus]

I used to go cross country skiing to a shared hut. Each week group got a locker allocation for the non-perishable food. We would visit the hut during Easter for a July ski adventure, our winter is sort of June to end of August. For the eggs, we’d cover the shells with a smear of petroleum jelly. This ensured the air stayed out and the eggs worked perfectly. I can’t remember any black eggs. It did seem unusual, but it worked.

[@thebenman8657]

@@l214laus Woh! That’s very interesting. Such a cool idea. Thanks!

[@johnswanson3741]

Today's snowflake, got all the latest gear, most of which is never needed

[@JimHep]

Thanks so much John. Appreciate your comments! They help the algorithm! Stop by anytime! 👍