| Sea kayakers have to be on top of their skills when | | | | fly lines so that the fly follows the contour of the tent, |
| heading out on west coast paddle expeditions, | | | | you can minimize this problem. Staking can be a |
| especially anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. The | | | | problem in the sand. Tying lines to the staking tabs on |
| incredible scenery available while kayaking on the | | | | your tent then wrapping the ties around sticks or rocks |
| coast of British Columbia is paid for with a price of | | | | that are buried in the sand can get you over the loose |
| cool and damp, if not outright wet. Even the sea mists | | | | stakes in the sand problems. |
| in August can pretty much soak everything. Managing | | | | 6. Set up your tarp/tent before you change into your |
| the wetness is an essential part of campcraft when | | | | dry clothes. Once you have the shelter set up, you |
| sea kayaking to west coast destinations like the | | | | can change into the dry stuff in a dry space. This is |
| Broken Group Islands, Nootka Sound, Clayoquot Sound, | | | | part of protecting the dry clothing to make sure it is |
| or Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands). | | | | effectively warm for you. |
| A good tent and tarp setup is the primary structure for | | | | 7. Keep all your dry clothes in a separate dry bag. |
| shelter. Camping in the forest, off the beach can help | | | | Keep any wet clothes in a different bag. Kayaking is a |
| provide some shelter, but you lose the magnificent | | | | wet activity, so you are probably wearing some kind |
| beach scenery with it. The first step is using good | | | | of special clothes on the west coast, just in case of |
| judgment to set up your shelter to manage the wet. | | | | immersion. You should have a dry set for |
| Marine forecasts can help you look ahead to what is | | | | emergencies and a dry set for camp. Diligence with |
| coming so that you can decide whether to beach it or | | | | keeping a warm, dry set of clothes helps make the trip |
| head to the forest. Either way, using a good tent and | | | | comfortable in the campsite and on the beach. |
| tarp is the way to go. Kayakers do not have to | | | | 8. After you have set up the tent, move the tarp or |
| worry so much about weight as hikers, so a larger | | | | tent to have a decent sized sheltered area to enter |
| tarp, or combination of tarps is more possible. | | | | and exit the tent. In other words, at least one |
| Separate areas for cooking and sleeping are | | | | doorway is well covered by the tarp. If there are |
| absolutely appropriate and easy to manage from a | | | | two or more of you with a tent that has two doors on |
| kayak. That means you can have a dry place to | | | | opposite sides, use the unsheltered side and its |
| sleep, a dry place to eat, and a dry place to hang out. | | | | vestibule to stow your gear and the sheltered side for |
| Managing your clothing is important for staying warm | | | | entry/exit. With a good sized sheltered entry, you |
| on the coast. For that, the tent and its shelter is | | | | can shake off any water, or remove rain gear before |
| absolutely critical. Let's look at what you can do to | | | | entering the tent, helping to keep the inside dry. |
| keep yourself dry and warm by looking at some | | | | 9. Wait until just before getting into your sleeping bag |
| simple ways to keep a dry shelter. | | | | to pull it out of its protective bag. The sea air is very |
| 1. Pack your tent and its parts into plastic bags to | | | | wet and sleeping bags can pull moisture out of the air |
| keep everything else dry. | | | | if left out in the tent. To prevent moisture absorption, |
| 2. Carry good tarps with enough size to give good | | | | leave the sleeping bag protected in its bag inside the |
| shelter. These are available for between about $35 | | | | dry tent until ready for use. |
| and $350. Set the tarp up before the tent, over the | | | | 10. Open some vent areas in the fly to help reduce |
| tent pad. If it is raining, or threatening, you have a | | | | condensation inside the fly. We breathe out a large |
| sheltered place to set up your tent, keeping it dry. | | | | amount of moisture in the night which can condense |
| Your paddles can be used as posts for your tarp on a | | | | and collect on the inside of the fly. By increasing the |
| beach, and some tarps even have an attached center | | | | ventilation, you can minimize this moisture build up. |
| sock/stuff sack combination that ties onto your paddle | | | | 11. Take your tent down under the shelter just like |
| for a center post. | | | | you put it up. You are still trying to keep everything |
| 3. Use your groundsheet properly under the tent to | | | | as dry as possible. You may have to move the tent |
| keep moisture away from the tent surface. | | | | or tarp again to cover the whole tent for this, but it is |
| 4. Set up on a spot that is slightly above the | | | | worth it to keep the tent dry. |
| surrounding ground. If there is not water pooled in the | | | | 12. Change back into wet clothing and gear under the |
| low spots already, then there can likely be pools later | | | | shelter the next day, before leaving. Your tarp is last |
| on. Make sure you are setting up in a drainable | | | | to go. It provides shelter for entering/exiting the tent. |
| position. Sandy beaches are usually not a problem | | | | 13. And the last tip is to pack in small bits. Small |
| for drainage unless you set up below the high tide | | | | bags, either dry bags or small stuff sacks lined with |
| line. Know where the high tide comes up before you | | | | plastic bags, are best for managing dryness and for |
| set up your tent and tarp. Move into the forest if it is | | | | efficient packing. Larger bags make packing difficult |
| unclear. | | | | and increase the possibility of getting wet things mixed |
| 5. Make sure your tent is set up properly. The fly | | | | with dry things, making them wet in return. |
| needs to be tight and not touching the actual tent. | | | | Campcraft is a big part of sea kayaking on multi-day |
| Proper staking helps make sure the fly is tight, | | | | trips. You want to be warm and dry in camp after |
| increasing its effectiveness against rain and wind. | | | | your incredible paddle to get there. Properly using |
| The fly also needs to follow the lines of the tent and | | | | your tent for dry, warm shelter and as a staging area |
| poles. One problem with some tents is splash. In | | | | for changing clothes is a good set of skills to |
| heavier rains, water hitting the wet ground or tent | | | | develop. Not only does it help with your comfort, it |
| platforms can splash up under the edge of the fly and | | | | provides a place to keep things organized, do planning, |
| right into the tent through the mesh fabric. By staking | | | | and to rest. |