We at Ozark River Company have a saying. "In the spirit of backpacking". Throughout our daily lives, we have a habit of finding things we just, "can’t live without". In the outdoor world of hiking and backpacking, you have to be a turtle, and carry everything on your back you intend on using for your trip. Once you backpack with what you need once, you will realize you are carrying way too much weight, and you used very little of your gear. Then the trimming process starts to take place, reducing weight and combining the use of items.  With this in mind, we have accumulated a list of items that save weight, are not expensive for the most part, and will prepare you for most any event short of a weather disaster. Keep your running list and get rid of what you do not use! Less is better!

Kayak Packing. The best place to start for kayak packing for camp is a land pack, listed below. There are minor adjustments, taking advantage of the excellent gear hauling capabilities that the kayak offers over backpacking. One can add a 12 pack soft side cooler, and substitute the backpack for two or three good dry bags. A few things should be considered, such as poly sleeping bags rather than down because of moisture resistance and extra towel and rescue rope. The typical spray skirt, paddle, and life vest is standard.  The boat pictured is a blackwater 10.5, a smaller 225# capacity boat.  The pack weighed 27# before food and water.  Paddler, 150#, combined weight was below the capacity, recommended!