| A multi-day rafting adventure in the Pacific Northwest | | | | bulky gear such as sleeping bags, consider using stuff |
| can make your summer, and preparing for it can be an | | | | bags with cinch straps to force the air out and make |
| adventure in itself. Packing all the camping equipment | | | | them as small as possible. If you're going to be doing |
| and other gear you'll need for a multi-day rafting trip | | | | any cooking, preserve space with an exchange blade |
| while keeping your baggage as minimal as possible | | | | cutlery kit. |
| sometimes requires a bit of ingenuity. | | | | Other useful items. Here are some additional tips to |
| Consolidation is the key to efficient packing, and rafting | | | | help you condense your camping equipment and save |
| requires you to choose compact, multi-purpose gear | | | | space in your dry bag: |
| with plenty of versatility. Here are a few rafting | | | | -- Sweat-wicking clothes: As much as possible, choose |
| essentials that offer lots of utility without hogging | | | | fabrics that are thin, quick-drying and offer protection |
| space in your dry bag. | | | | from the sun as well as insulation at night. |
| LED headlamp. A personal flashlight is a no-brainer in | | | | -- Microfiber towel: Look for a thin, quick-dry towel that |
| any camping situation, and they don't come any more | | | | efficiently absorbs water but has only a fraction of the |
| compact or universally useful than an LED headlamp. | | | | bulk of a regular towel. |
| Between its sleek design and powerful beam, an LED | | | | -- Plastic zipper bags: These are universally handy on |
| headlamp offers all the light you'll need without taking | | | | any rafting trip for waterproof storage. Use them to |
| up precious dry bag real estate. Plus it's hands-free in | | | | hold small items such as lighters and matches. You can |
| case you need illumination while your hands are busy. | | | | also save cooler space by removing food from its |
| Multi-tool. A durable knife is another survival must-have, | | | | original packaging and storing it in plastic bags. |
| and a multi-tool not only offers a knife blade but allows | | | | -- Toilet paper: Make toilet paper more compact by |
| you to combine several other camping essentials into | | | | removing it from the roll and stuffing it into a plastic |
| one compact tool. Look for a multi-tool that includes | | | | zipper bag. |
| pliers, scissors, a miniature saw, a file and other helpful | | | | -- Thermal safety blanket: Its reflective material |
| camping equipment, such as a compass, fork or LED | | | | doubles as a signaling tool if you require emergency |
| light. The more items you can combine into your | | | | help. |
| multi-tool, the fewer you'll have to stuff into your dry | | | | -- Hefty garbage bags: Bring sturdy garbage bags for |
| bag. | | | | packing out your trash. In a pinch, these can also |
| Camping equipment. The majority of available space in | | | | double as makeshift ponchos or dry bags. |
| your dry bag will be taken up by your basic camping | | | | When preparing for a Northwest rafting trip, keep in |
| equipment, so it's important to make these items as | | | | mind your dry-bag space is limited. Pack lightly, and |
| compact as possible. Make sure your tent folds up | | | | stash your camping gear in soft bags. |
| small enough to fit in the kayak, canoe or raft. For | | | | |