Need advice for solo overnighting in a kayak

[Flysmallie]

1 minute ago, Coosa said:

I can't give up my jalapeño chili cheese dogs though!! 

I better put a little antacid or Imodium AD in the cobbler if we are having that for dinner. But it does sound very tasty. 

[joeD]

Why is effiency the apex of kayak camping?  

Denial of pleasure as a goal to be achieved, then applauded.

Good grief, it would be nice to hear from some sybarite who packed everything to get the most out of a trip. Tired of the "less is more" sermons, bordering on moral disapproval of those who choose to "overpack."

One cannot overstate the deliciousness of a comfortable chair in front of a gravel bar fire, after a long day on the water.

 

[Plastic_worm]

I do this kind of trip all the time and pack a bunch of fishing gear.  You can certainly pack a bunch of gear in a kayak.  The trade off is kayak performance.  More weight will impact the kayaks performance.  Which might not be a big deal on slow water.  Another consideration is unloading and loading all that gear everyday or portaging.  Going solo means doing all the work alone!!  That's why I pack light.  I do bring a chair to sit in.  It's nice to have after sitting in a kayak seat all day.  A cot or hammock to sleep in.  A tarp/rope for rain protection.  I usually bring a small pot to cook or boil water in for coffee or water purification if needed.  Small burner and propane.  1 headlamp and a small backpacker lantern.  Something to make fire.  Water. Clothing depends on the weather.  I usually bring day and night changes and a new set of close to the body wear for daily change.  I can get everything in 2 dry bags.  1 goes in the hull of my kayak.  The 2nd on the back.  Food/water/propane/burner and everything else go inside the hull of my kayak.  If I feel like "living it up" I'll pack a small soft side cooler.  When the ice/food are gone it folds up and goes in the hull.  No extra weight but a few cold beverages for a day or 2!!

Food:  dehydrated meals, small cans of spam, beans/corn/veggies (they make them in plastic now), trail mix, granola bars etc.  Anything that doesn't need a can opener and can be crushed to save space.  The good thing is everyday the weight gets less b/c you're eating all your food.

 

Video of a recent 2 night solo kayaking trip.  You can get an idea of my gear and how I pack it.  

 

Just got back from a 14 day roadtrip where I lived from my truck and kayak the entire time...some from my kayak on islands or gravel bars.  All but 1 night were solo.  Video is under general forum "Roadtrip!"

[Coosa]

14 hours ago, joeD said:

Why is effiency the apex of kayak camping?  

Denial of pleasure as a goal to be achieved, then applauded.

Good grief, it would be nice to hear from some sybarite who packed everything to get the most out of a trip. Tired of the "less is more" sermons, bordering on moral disapproval of those who choose to "overpack."

One cannot overstate the deliciousness of a comfortable chair in front of a gravel bar fire, after a long day on the water.

 

A folding bag chair is one thing I didn't mention In my list of stuff I bring but I do bring one.

I sure don't feel like I'm being denied any type of pleasure on my trips. I feel that I have plenty to eat, I sleep good on an air matress. I don't really feel that there is anything else I need to be comfortable. With each trip I learn more of what to bring and what to leave.

[budman]

Had to look up the meaning of what a sybarite was to make sure you weren't dissing me, you weren't. We pack lots, cold beer, good bourbon, chairs, cots to sleep on, good eats and way more stuff than I would ever try to carry on a backpacking trip. About 1/3 of the things we bring never get used but we usually pack them on the next trip. As you can see we don't carry as big of a tent or the extra large cots, a rick of fire wood, or eat steaks over a pound a couple nights but it is a good trip with lots of comforts. Maybe not a trip self indulgent to the point of sensuous luxury but it is a good trip.  We also only see a few other people and get to fish waters that others don't fish or float. Try it you will enjoy it.