A variety of odd tips that don't fit anywhere else. As the list grows some groupings may develop.

These tips come from either my own experience or are contributed by readers. Individual tips may or may not apply to your situation, depending on other things you do or take. They are offered here for your consideration and to stimulate your own thinking about "the details."

Car Keys

• I once got back to my car for the life of me couldn't find my keys. We did eventually find them but I put quite a scare into me. So I now keep an extra key taped to the frame under my car. (Contributed by Jeff McNiff)
• I take a stout electrical wire (a loose one; one NOT attached to the car) and tape the key to it covering it entirely in electrical tape. Then I crawl under the car and attach (twist) the wire to the car (not making any electrical connections). My thinking is that if someone were to look for a key under your car, they probably aren't going to put wires out looking for it. make sure you yank on the correct wire if the key is needed! (Contributed by Ken E. Brown)
• I give a key to at least one passenger in my car BEFORE we begin the trip up there. My thought is, if I lock the keys in the car at the gas station someone else has one handy. Make sure they keep it in their pocket. (Contributed by Ken E. Brown)

Important Documents

• I don't like to carry my wallet with me when paddling. I fasten a 1 qt. zip-lock bag to the inside of the canoe with duct tape. I put my fishing license and park permits in it and I have it handy while out paddling. (Contributed by Quetico Fan)
• I put my license, ID, and permit in a zip lock bag, but put the bag in the inner zip pocket of my fanny pack. (Contributed by JBL)
• Ever since I got a good butt chewin from a lady ranger and a volunteer ranger while fishing on North Bay of Basswood with my permit at the campsite, I always keep the license and permit in a Ziploc which is inside my map case that is always velcroed to the rear thwart. The map case never comes off until we're loading the canoe on the truck at the end of the trip. (Contributed by Gerry)

Odds'n'Ends

• Trash compactor bags make sturdier stuff sack liners than common kitchen or lawn bags
• Remove all colored nail polish before your trip. If you are injured, observation of your nail beds can be an important diagnostic, which will be hampered by nail polish.
• When re-packaging safety matches, be sure to include the striker strip from the original package.

• Suppose a grommet rips out on a tarp of fly. Solution: Take a rock about half the size of your fist and wrap the ripped corner around it. Take your rope and tie it around the tarp/fly above the rock. Ta da. (Contributed by MAPESQ)

  [Ed: The best tarps don't use grommets at all. Instead they have loops of sturdy nylon webbing.]

• Nail polish is a great substance for identifying your equipment from the rest of your group. I'm specifically thinking of items like knives, forks, spoons, Sierra cups, plates, mugs, or any items that may be identical with you partners. Nail polish is robust stuff and will withstand cleanings, submergings and impacts. Paint your initials on your equipment. (Contributed by Argo)
• Nail polish can be used to bind thread coming lose on bags and such. Just paint it on the dethreading seam. (Contributed by MarkK)
• Got this one from Cliff J. If you are paddling in rain coat your glasses with RainX. The drops sheet off easily and you can SEE! (Contributed by Hoz)
• When your hands dry out and get cracks in them it helps to use super glue to close the wounds. Just cleanse the wound first with some of that no-rinse alcohol hand cleaner and then glue it shut. Works great. (Contributed by Joe)

  [Ed: Or an ounce of prevention in the form of a small plastic bottle of hand lotion, used daily!]

• We carry a few feet of florescent marking tape (the non-sticky type that builders and landscapers use -- available at Home Depot, etc.). We tie a small piece on any item that may get lost around the camp site or left on a portage -- fish stringers, axe sheaths, cooking mitts, etc. Can also be used for temporarily marking the way to the privy in the woods. (Contributed by Canoekev)
• When packing for my trip, I pack the clothes I will be paddling in with my traveling clothes. This way I don't have to find room for them in a portage pack that they will never occupy anyway, and I don't have to dig them out of the portage pack when I get to the outfitter and change from "road trip" to "canoe trek" mode.
• If you have a multi-day trip just to get to your put-in, take a completely separate small duffle of things you will need for the road trip. This pack should include clean clothes to change into when you come off the water and it's own toilet kit.
• If you like to fish after dark or just like a midnight paddle, tie one of those light sticks (the kind you bend and shake; different colors; etc)to a string and hang it by your landing spot before you go out. It can guide you to your campsite when it's too dark to make out shore features. (Contributed by Ken E. Brown)
• Alligator clips like those used by electricians and others can be used to hold things onto packs or whatever. I use mine clipped to the pack to dry socks or a small towel as I hike or canoe across a lake. (Contributed by MarkK)
• An old trick for a clothes line is to double your rope over, tie one end to a tree, and wrap the two pieces around each other to braid the rope. Then just pinch your clothes being hung into the braids. (Contributed by MarkK)

Home | Trips | Technique | Reflection | Links