When a day of sloshing through thigh deep mud on portages ends miserably in a soggy sleeping bag we try to tell ourselves that a little bit of suffering builds character. Forget that. These expert-approved tricks will keep you happy even during days of nonstop rain.
5 tips to stay dry on your next canoe trip
1 Embrace the experience
Don’t stay home because the forecast calls for torrential downpours. Some of the most memorable trips take place in wet, stormy and crazy (read: unforgettable) conditions. Here’s the truth: If you camp in the rain, there are times you will be wet. Accept it. You are entirely capable of dealing with a bit of dampness.
2 Suit up
Don’t be a sourpuss and confine yourself to the shelter of a dreary tent. Get out there. A good rain jacket, rain pants and waterproofed hat with a brim will slow the rain’s clammy creep. Some trippers swear by ponchos—they’re less optimal in windy conditions—while others have favour Gore-Tex or no name rain gear. Whatever your choice, test it before it counts.
3 The golden rule
Always keep one dry, warm set of clothes for sleeping in. Life is pretty grand if you can look forward to curling up into your dry and warm gear at night. It usually means getting back into wet, muddy gear the next morning. Admittedly, this is not fun. But follow this golden rule, and you can be warm, safe, dry and happy every night on your route.
4 Engineering
Clever engineering in camp can mean the difference between a dreamy tarp Taj Mahal and a soggy trench warfare re-enactment. Practice your tarpology skills until you can set up taut tarps in all conditions with ingenuity and speed using trees, paddles, canoes, carefully applied trucker’s hitches and sleek taut-line hitches.
5 Home sweet home
Take the time to peg out your tent carefully and tighten tarp guy lines—water will run smoothly off a well-constructed shelter. Don’t dig a trench around your tent like some Hardy Boys scout; rather choose your tent site wisely. That nice soft mossy patch might look more tempting than an elevated granite slab, but where will the rain pool during a downpour? Not under your tent if you plan ahead.
This article was first published in the Spring 2015 issue of Canoeroots Magazine. Don’t despair! Some of the most memorable trips take place in wet and stormy conditions. | Feature photo: Peter Mather
