Solo Winter Camping | Kayak Camping Alone and Cold

Winter is well on its way where I live, but I wasn't ready to hang up the paddling gear. With a snow storm incoming, I headed into Algonquin Park on a solo winter kayak camping adventure.
Gear I have tested and recommend:
Paddles:
Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon 2-piece (rec/touring) bit.ly/43KLWQb
Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid 2-piece (Rec/Touring bit.ly/41VdlND
Aqua Bound Shred (whitewater) bit.ly/3L9h04E
PFDs:
NRS Chinook PFD (fishing) bit.ly/3AaGAzS
NRS Zen PFD (whitewater) bit.ly/3odrMxK
NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec) bit.ly/41yCpK0
Dry Gear / Layers:
NRS Flux Dry Top bit.ly/41EvCyC
NRS Riptide Splash Jacket bit.ly/3L9awmd
NRS Axiom Dry Suit bit.ly/3A6RdUj
Shirts:
NRS Silkweight Long-Sleeve Shirt - Mens bit.ly/3KOMegb
NRS Guide Short Sleeve Shirt bit.ly/41jskkf
Pants:
NRS Benny Board Shorts bit.ly/41fyAtm
Footwear:
NRS Boundary Boot: bit.ly/3Lb8Clo
NRS Kicker Wetshoe: bit.ly/3H6Sjna
NRS Paddle Wetshoe: bit.ly/3V3cYhx
Astral PFD Sandal bit.ly/41EiFVc
Sunglasses: Wiley X Outdoor Sun Glasses bit.ly/3NtJQKR
Other Paddling Gear:
NRS WRSI Current Helmet bit.ly/3L90rpz
NRS Drylander Shock Cord Sprayskirt bit.ly/41g8C9l
Surf Ears Ear Plugs bit.ly/3AbMl1y
GoPro Hero 11 Black amzn.to/3ZWVXHN
Rapid Pure Purifier amzn.to/3iuIo1C
Zoleo Satellite Communicator amzn.to/3kv0hOt
NOTE: These are affiliate links in which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you, but it is a great way to show your support.
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[@draw1951]

Having grown up sailing and canoeing, I bought my first kayak two weeks ago and plan to use it throughout the winter (as much as possible) living on an island near Seattle. The plan is to stay within the bays (many to explore) and enjoy the serenity and mood the colder darker season brings. Thanks for making adventures accessible and worthwhile. At 72, life remains worth exploring.

[@PaddleTV]

My pleasure! Keep exploring!

[@iviewthetube]

Everytime I see Ken do something crazy like this, I find myself doing the same dang thing a few months later.

[@lysan1445]

It was good to see you on an adventure like this. I also cherish Wintertime. It has a special atmosphere. Thanks for taking us with you!

[@PaddleTV]

You bet!

[@bemeotran1951]

Happy thanks giving thankyyou for sharing this adventure with us while we sit eating turkey on our couch

[@PaddleTV]

Ha!

[@dannyroberts5056]

This one made me chuckle Ken. I tend to be a cluts at times myself. This also brings back many memories of camping out of my kayak here in MO. during the winter. A big grin came across my face when you fired up the wisper lite . I bought mine back in 1987 and it still going strong along with my Sierra Design Clip Flashlight. As I get older a tent with a bit more room does look nice though. Beautiful trip and thanks as always for sharing.

[@SouthernPaddler]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these kayak camping videos!! Man, that's some cold weather (relative to Alabama)!! Great video Ken and I DEFINITELY vote for more of these!!!

[@neilpage1153]

Brilliant video Ken. Winter camping is the best, no people and if you can catch a weather window, the stillness is magical! 👍

[@PaddleTV]

Cheers!

[@ajf5823]

Wow! You are one determined man when it comes to having a fire!

[@PaddleTV]

Ha!

[@tommyrq180]

Coffee with Irish cream on a kayak overnight? You, sir, are my spirit human! 😊😊

[@PaddleTV]

:)

[@bluesideup007]

Beautiful seasons end!

[@astrocatcity]

Spectacular views, wonderful and inspiring video - thank you! Ohhh, and when in Algonquin, one makes a portaaaaaaajj 😀

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! Very true. I'll keep bouncing back and forth with my pronunciation so that folks on both sides of the border understand. :)

[@EckieOutdoor]

I enjoyed this video on my big television very much, Ken! It felt like I was there too. Are there bears and wolves where you paddled? I would be crapping my pants all night long 🤣, but hey, I'm Dutch and we're not used to predators. The worst predators we have is the government! The wolf has made his comeback in the Netherlands after 150 years of absence and now the whole country gets paranoid over it. Respect for all the work and effort you put in. 👌👌

[@PaddleTV]

Awesome to hear! Yes, there are bears and wolves here, but as long as you're smart with how you deal with food, it's not a big issue. It's definitely something that you stay aware of though!

[@ringperm]

I loved this one, and have been searching through youtube for something similar, but found very little. Granted, there are alot of videos using canoes, but very few sea kayak camping videos of this quality. Most of these are just of people talking while paddling along, and unless you are charismatic enough too keep this interesting for 10 minutes, I often find myself bored. This video had it all, a charismatic host, varied scenery from multiple angles, a nice camping spot and was just an all around entertaining video. It was probably a lot of work, but really appreciated and something I would really like to see more of.

[@PaddleTV]

Thank you! I hope you enjoy the new kayak camping adventure I just released :). It was a blast to do/film.

[@Confoil]

Not that I don't enjoy your instructional videos, your gear reviews, or your other trip videos, but I really enjoyed the more freeform, trip-journal style of this video. I hope you do more of these in the future. Also, it was nice to see a multi-lake portage trip in a kayak that most people seem to only do in canoes. 👍👍 What did you do for water? Did you use a filter? If so, what did you do to keep it from freezing on you?

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks! I definitely plan on doing more of these! I had a blast. I used a dromedary bag for water. To avoid it freezing, I drained the system before going to sleep, and brought the reservoir bag (filled with clean water) into by tent. I threw it under some gear to keep it from freezing over night. I didn't actually test the filter in the morning to see if it worked (or froze) because I had enough water in the bag to take me through the day. Boiling lake water was my backup plan.

[@ihan_perus]

Nice! I hope to do one more overnight trip on my kayak this year. We just got some snow here in southern Finland, but it hasn't been too cold yet. I hope the lake at my cabin stays open for a couple more weeks! Or else I have to haul a kayak home and take it out to the Baltic sea..

[@PaddleTV]

Nice! I visited Finland this summer for the first time. I was paddling up in Lapland, in the Ivalo area to start, and then Kuusamo. What a trip!!! Beautiful country. Stay tuned for some videos from there!

[@glyn829]

Great film epic adventure there 👌

[@cojomo123]

Absolutely and thoroughly enjoyed your trip, nice one, greeting’s and the best to you from🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, 🥃.

[@PaddleTV]

Thank you!

[@slighwentwalking2024]

Well done mate 👏 Even as South as far South as Florida, It gets dark early after the time change. Having the right gear makes a world of difference. I'm glad to see that you are well prepared, my friend.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks! I love my gear shed. :)

[@KKBG]

One of your best videos. Its like meditation and Baileys in coffee :)

[@iowaadventures4701]

I live in North west Iowa and just like you this season kayak trips are coming to an end. I have been watching your videos for a long time, and with without doubt, I think this one beat them all. Thank you for sharing your trip with us.!

[@PaddleTV]

Thank you! I'm looking forward to doing lots more of these.

[@jayspot4]

Awesome trip Ken - and you’re using that beautiful boat 😱 thank you for sharing and getting those shore shots!

[@PaddleTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@robertfrost6522]

Just got back from my trip (NH), no ice or snow yet so you just inspired me for one more trip! thank you.

[@PaddleTV]

Glad to hear it! Be safe!

[@user-pn1ye3ip8x]

I started bringing an Ikea bag for each hatch. Makes bringing gear to and from the boat as well as portages a bit easier.

[@aubreyweber6547]

Best paddling advice I’ve ever gotten!

[@PaddleTV]

Interesting idea for sure!

[@iviewthetube]

I learned while paddling the Broken Group Islands in B.C. that it is really hard to paddle a kayak loaded with wood on top. No wonder it tipped when you went to shore.

[@PaddleTV]

:) Lessons learned the hard way are the best lessons.

[@danareed1656]

oh ya coffee with baileys yum

[@petertamasboda511]

Nice. I like it.

[@PaddleTV]

Cheers!

[@iviewthetube]

@21:30 Like Ken says, good gear is important, especially in weather like this. That is why I would ditch the utensil with a spoon at one end and the fork on the other.

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! Good point. I hate to admit it though... but I kind of like it. :)

[@iviewthetube]

@@PaddleTV Yuck, I get spaghetti on my fingers when I need to use the spoon side. That is why I prefer the Snow Peak Titanium Spork.

[@johncheung4005]

it is not easy , but feel good

[@CheekyMonkey888]

nice! these composite kayaks are sweet to paddle empty, loaded up you might as well stick with a tougher plastic kayak I m thinking

[@lizard2425]

Beautifully done! Thanks!

[@PaddleTV]

Many thanks!

[@dirkzwitser9287]

Your most enjoyable video this year. Did my last camping trip late October. No snow, but lots of moist and cold. Your video lets any viewer join a lonesome winter adventure. Overwhelming beauty, solitude, overcoming little challenges. Loved it.

[@PaddleTV]

Thank you!

[@user-cq7eh4sy9u]

That portage looked slippery along the icy boardwalk! I'm guessing that KW would have taken a pack boat if he knew that he would have to portage boat & gear.

[@PaddleTV]

:). Exactly what I wish I had!

[@quinboyle8436]

Thanks.Hope you manage a few a day trips this winter

[@PaddleTV]

I hope so too!

[@NovaScotiakayaker]

Awesome kayak

[@PaddleTV]

It sure is!

[@bluewaterdonkey]

This video was awesome! I would love to see more content like this. It was just pure and real. Thank you for the great video.

[@PaddleTV]

Thank you! You can definitely expect to see more of this next season. Cheers!

[@perymcgregor8424]

i really enjoyed how you put this trip video together nicely done!

[@PaddleTV]

Thank you very much!

[@ianhopcraft9894]

I didn't realize composite hulls were so easily damaged, its a good tip, I'll stick with plastic.

[@PaddleTV]

You definitely do have to be much more careful with them. The trade off is that they're lighter and stiffer than plastic.

[@CareyCarolinaCamper]

Ken, ya know… that @riverkingskayak guy says to carry a bag of sorts like a duffel to make your portages easier. Just a thought 😂 Joking aside, your videos alongside Pete’s have been a hugely influential and valuable part of my Kayaking journey. So thank you Ken! Can’t wait to see what you bring us next!

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! I'll remember that next time. I appreciate the kind words! See you on the water.

[@learntechwithruth2147]

I never heard of a portage before but that seems rough! Your trip looked great. I really would like to go kayak camping some time. Looks like a lot of work though.

[@PaddleTV]

:) It can be a lot of work... but so worth it!

[@markokeeffe8361]

Do you see much wildlife at that time of year? I'm from UK and remember fondly regular swim-bys of beavers and being serenaded by loons on a wonderful summer trip in BC.

[@PaddleTV]

No. Not much wildlife at this time of year, although you still will see some activity.

[@chrismcduffie4888]

Awesome video, Ken! Wishing I was out there with you. I don't have a dry suit so my kayaking has been done for a few weeks. I look forward to warmer weather again, but first, let's deal with this upcoming winter snowy season!

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! Yup... winter is great too. Different type of adventures ahead for a few months. :)

[@chrismcduffie4888]

@@PaddleTV I'll live vicariously through you then, Ken! 😊

[@pappasally2958]

Ken, watch the Ireland videos. Your daughter is right, you are getting old. Aside from the camera gear, can't believe how much kit you bring for an overnight trip. I don't carry that much gear for 3-day ski mountaineering trip at -22C. But I am from Alaska, taught mountaineering in Denali Park for 8 years, lived/worked in half-a-dozen countries, from mountains to coastal areas, jungles to deserts, so brain does not work properly. Noticed you brought both an air mattress and a foam pad. You can go lighter sleeping bag if you put the foam pad on top of the air mattress, since the air mattress allows air to circulate inside, sucking heat from body and exchanging it with the cold air along the perimeter of the mattress.Yes there is greater risk of puncturing the air mattress. So ditch the air mattress, and go with 2 foam pads. My winter kit for glacier travel is 1 & 1/2 foam pads. Place the extra 1/2 pad under my torso, the empty backpack under my legs, and the full length pad over both. For dealing with how much gear to bring, whether multi-day kayaking, ski-mountaineering or 4x4 overlanding is to use a 50-60 L dry bag backpack, and only take as much as I can fit in the backpack. When I go to load the yak, lay the backpack down first in the rear compartment, then load the rest. Nothing on the deck but bilge pump, spare paddle and a camel back water bladder. Currently stationed in Okinawa Japan, where it never gets colder than +10C so I don't have to worry about puffy jacket and such. But we do sometimes have to portage through the jungle or local village to get to launch/recovery points. Using 50 L dry bag backpack trick, I have never filled bow and stern compartments, even when taking dive and underwater camera gear. I can hump the backpack and kayak in one go. And no I am not superman. I am a 62 year old, out of shape cancer survivor who enjoys the suck of no creature comforts, too little gear and too long of distances on epic journeys. Too improve your winter camping skills and gear packing, take a glacier travel or a snow camping class and a long-range backpacking course. Really teaches economy of gear selection. And with less stuff to manage or deal with, you will find trip more enjoyable. And seriously, forget the campfire. PS Really do like the video trips. Going to have to plan a trip to Ireland and do the coastal sea kayaking. That is as soon as I complete my planned solo 4x4 overlanding trip across the Australian Outback. Wait, have you ever done sea kayaking along New Zealand? Maybe that goes after the Outback.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks for all the great ideas. One thing I know I'm not, is a minimalist. I'm typically ok doing 2 trips on a portage so that I can bring along some camp comforts. :) Yes... like you said... I'm getting old. Ha!! I'll definitely consider some of your suggestions though! As for New Zealand... I've never sea kayaked there, but I've done a LOT of whitewater kayaking in NZ. Magical place....

[@jayburne6825]

Great video wish I was with you .....

[@quinboyle8436]

Lovely video.What footwear were you using?

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks! I was using NRS Boundary boots bit.ly/3Lb8Clo They've been my go-to footwear for cold paddling trips for 20 years! Highly recommend them.

[@cieljek]

Do you have a video on how to plan a distant kayak trip? Not like, far paddling, but as someone who's never traveled further than an hour or two from home to do it, whats the best way to prepare for a trip a state away or something to a place you've never been to. Also, it would crazy cool if you had a camera set up to do 360 footage to do VR KZbin vids so a person with VR goggles could watch and be "in" the kayak with you!

[@PaddleTV]

Not yet! I'll put that video on the list. Good idea on the 360 camera too. One of these days I'll need to try one. Cheers!

[@SaulShiffman]

Great video; nice to join you on this last-of-the-season paddle Two questions 1. Why didn't you put your kayak upside-down to keep from getting water in overnight? 2. I noticed you had your rudder up. How come?

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks! Truth be told... it got dark and I forget to roll it over. But it was wet already because of the dump with the firewood, and so I wasn't worried about it. As for the rudder... this kayak (Melker Ulvon) comes with a rudder and a keg. I was using the keg, as I almost always do. I typically don't use rudders. Not that I don't think they're good options, but I just prefer skegs.

[@nunyabidness3075]

Great way to start is camping on shore at a drive up site. We found a couple sites in upstate NY. We had lots of extra stuff in the car if we needed it. Pro tip, ignore the pro Canadian expert and don’t wear any cotton even if you do have a fancy dry suit. Especially if you aren’t Canadian or Icelandic or similar. 🤣😂🤣

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! Both are great tips! :) No cotton for me!

[@kunalbhattacharya5404]

Please review Point 65 kayaks

[@jacqueline7118]

Wonderful adventure! Love the solitude of winter camping. You are right about having the proper gear for the time of year. What was in your breakfast bowl? Looked like chickpeas with pancake batter or bannock poured over them. Please pass on the recipe! :) Coffee and Bailey's, nothing better! :) Thanks for sharing. :) :)

[@PaddleTV]

:). The breakfast bowl was dehydrated apples (with sugar, spice and cornstarch to thicken) with pancake batter over top.

[@jacqueline7118]

@@PaddleTV Sounds delicious, thanks! :)

[@brianne9]

Algonquin is only 3 hours north of me... I can't believe there's snow on the ground already there. Yikes.

[@PaddleTV]

'Tis the season! :)

[@6yjjk]

Thanks, Ken, for doing this so I don't have to. :) I love this kind of content.

[@PaddleTV]

Ha! My pleasure. I'll keep doing my part in making this type of content. :)

[@jwiereng]

odd that they allowed you to book a campsite while the access is gated. When you discovered this, and camped elsewhere, did you have to call in a new site reservation?

[@Alexandre.Savine]

IK may be better for firewood transportation. But slow, sure. Tradeoffs, tradeoffs, tradeoffs.

[@PaddleTV]

Yeah, an inflatable kayak wouldn't be a better option. A canoe would have been the best boat for this trip, for sure!

[@phyllisdinsmore6704]

I'm curious because I keep seeing different information. What are you wearing to stay warm and dry that, should an accident happen, you won't sink like a tire? Recommend a solo camp stove for cooking Lightweight and you can use brush and twigs for fuel

[@PaddleTV]

I'm wearing a drysuit. It has rubber gaskets at the neck and wrists (and socks built in). It's completely waterproof, so that I can swim and stay dry inside. It actually provides additional floatation because of the air that's trapped inside. It's the ultimate defence against the cold... but you pay for it! When paddling in cold conditions/water, it's probably the most valuable piece of safety gear to have.

[@phyllisdinsmore6704]

@@PaddleTV thank you, very valuable information!

[@nodescriptionavailable3842]

You gotta have a certain ruggedness in you to do this, getting all the shots for the video must really be a burden at times, we definitely appreciate it, beautiful job, great video.

[@laszlogotthard3983]

Talking about gear, what type of shoes did you wear over the dry pants ?

[@PaddleTV]

Those are NRS Boundary Boots. They've been my go-to footwear for cold weather trips for 20 years. I highly recommend them.

[@vaelayne9067]

Was this Rock Lake to Pen Lake by any chance?

[@PaddleTV]

It certainly was!

[@kebolton]

You gave up *all* of your buoyancy at the 10:59 mark and are lucky it was not fatal. I will be using this in my instruction of what not to do.

[@PaddleTV]

I'm lucky it wasn't fatal? While I agree it wasn't ideal to open the hatches to carry firewood, I think you're being over dramatic. It was a small lake, super calm conditions, I'm wearing a drysuit, and I have 35 years of paddling experience.

[@jwiereng]

skeg and a rudder on this craft? 8:49

[@markscott4059]

What type of sea kayak is that?

[@PaddleTV]

Melker Ulvon kzbin.info/www/bejne/boiUlalqbtuFkKcsi=qnUfbKeNm4Eti8iA

[@Pietjo5]

Why is a canoe easier to portage?

[@PaddleTV]

Two main reasons. A canoe yoke spreads the weight of the canoe over both shoulders. All the weight of a kayak is on one shoulder. Secondly, you can have all your gear in one (or two) big backpacks within a canoe. You can throw the backpack on your back, the canoe on your shoulders and off you go. Much faster and more efficient because you don't have to unpack and then repack the boat.

[@mountainhobbit1971]

I wonder if the park can start supplying firewood at the campsites since the popular sites seem so picked clean.

[@Shoebutie]

why would a canoe have been so much easier?

[@PaddleTV]

Portage would have been much easier for a few reasons. For one, the canoe yoke spreads the weight of the canoe across both shoulders. All the weight of the kayak sits on a single edge on a single shoulder. Secondly, to pack a kayak, you need to have everything in lots of little dry bags. This means you need to unpack all the bags and repack them at the other end (too heavy to carry leaving them in). You also have to carry handful of little dry bags, instead of a big canoe pack/backpack. Canoeing, you can often fit everything in one canoe pack, thrown it on your back, and then put the canoe on your shoulders, and do the portage in one go. Dealing with firewood would have also been a ton easier, becauses you can just load the canoe with wood that you find along the shoreline as you go. The kayak had no extra space. Hope that clarifies.

[@Shoebutie]

makes sense. Thanks.

[@nicholasespinosa9569]

When hiking on the AT I try to grab firewood as I approach camp because it's also super picked over for firewood.

[@PaddleTV]

Exactly. That's what I would typically do with a canoe. The problem with a sea kayak is that there's no where to carry it. :)