Below is a catalog of some of the gear that you should consider taking on the Allagash and some related advice. It’s not a complete list. I do make some recommendations on particular products that I really like and have found to work well, but none of this is promotional and I am not getting paid for any recommendations. If you have particular gear recommendations, head over to the forum page and let’s chat!
my kayak
I can’t rave enough about the Old Town Loon 138. It tracks well, is incredibily stable, is quite comfortable, is bomb proof, handles white-water well and holds tons of my gear. Wouldn’t leave home without it!
tall insulated boots
An absolutely essential piece of gear. My boots are rated to -40F and are waterproof. My feet stay warm and dry getting in and out of the boat and around camp. I pull my paddle pants over the top and fasten the gasket snug for a nice watertight fit. Lots of companies make boots like these – try on a bunch and get the ones that feel comfy.
water filter
The Platypus gravity works 4 or 6 liter water filter system works like a charm. Fill up your bucket of water, pour it into the dirty bag and hang it from a tree branch or a nail. In a few minutes you have clean filtered water with no pumping. Make sure to backwash the filter regularly to avoid clogs, and keep it warm if it might freeze overnight. Before each adventure be sure to clean with a couple of drops of bleach, and do the integrity test. Know that after a lot of use the filter will get very slow and you will want to get a new cartridge.
fire starter
Bring along some fire starter – cotton balls covered in petroleum jelly. These will burn for four or five minutes and are waterproof. As explained here, the jelly is not actually flammable — once the petroleum jelly melts, the cotton ball starts wicking it like a candle wicks melted wax. To use, pull the cotton ball open to expose the dry fibers inside, then light the cotton fibers.
Many people use birch bark as a fire starter and it does work great but please don’t strip birch from around a campsite where trees are already stressed. Taking small amounts of naturally peeling, papery bark is generally safe, but cutting deeply or peeling all the way around the trunk (girdling) will eventually kill the tree.
hatchet and saw
A good hatchet makes it easier to start a nice fire. Also a saw. I have had this Sawvivor saw for many years. It packs up small and cuts well.
stove
I have had my MSR whisperlite for many, many years and it has never failed. Every now and then the fuel line needs to be cleaned, and I had to replace one o-ring in the fuel pipe. What I like about it is that you can refill the fuel bottle from a gallon container of Coleman fuel, instead of accumulating lots of little spent fuel canisters like with the newer stove designs.
FIRST AID KIT
Help is not close by on the Allagash so bring a good first aid kit. Things that we bring are: tylenol, ibuprofen, benadryl, gas-x, imodium, burn gel, hydrocortisone, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic spray, bandaids, tape, gauze pads, alcohol wipes, wound seal, an ace bandage, tweezers, a scissor and a nipper. Also bring sunscreen!
MUSIC
A singing voice, harmonica or home-made flute made from Japanese knotweed are always nice things to bring on the Allagash.
camp chairs
These are pretty popular camp chairs. They are comfortable, sturdy, pack small and are easy to setup.
cooking gear
Bring along, at least, a cooking grate, a griddle, a nice size pot or two, some bowls, utensils, a spatula, a can opener and a cutting board.
Clean up
Paper towels, wipes and biodegradeable soap help keep things clean around camp. Please don’t get soap in the water! Biodegradeable soap requires soil to breakdown and will cause harm to the water. Getting soap in a water source is not acceptable or recommended by Leave No Trace guidelines. Carry all wash water at least 100 to 200 feet away from any water source.
binoculars
Binoculars are very useful for locating campsites, spying wildlilfe or scanning the lakes for dangerous conditions.
a good tarp
I found 14×16 to be a good size — 14 feet along the ridgepole, with 8 foot sides. Don’t skimp on quality. Get a heavy duty tarp so the grommets don’t fail.
To make it quick and easy to setup, pre-tie some cord to each corner of the tarp with a loop on the ends. Then tie cord to each stake. Tie the tarp and stake cords together with slip knots. Then, you can place the stakes once and adjust the tautness and placement of the tarp by adjusting the slip knots.
gloves
After a few very raw days on the water where my hands got quite cold, I decided to get some gloves. These Showa Temres waterproof, breathable and fleece-lined insulated work gloves are excellent. They didn’t seem that durable at first, but they have held up. They are warm, comfortable and have excellent grip.
a bailer
Make a bailer out of any sturdy plastic container. A milk jug or laundry container should work. Tie to your boat.
dry bags
I really like these dry bags from KastKing. They are sturdy and you can see what’s inside through the window. Other lighter weight dry bags that we have used have torn – even the supposedly “more durable” versions. Get a variety of sizes. I find a large 30 liter to be good for clothes, a 20 liter works for a sleeping bag. A small 5 liter bag is good to keep near you when paddling for snacks, your phone, a bug net, etc…
hand drill
You don’t actually need to bring along a hand drill, and you probably don’t actually need to know how to make one or use one. But gathering the materials to make one from the forest and then starting a fire with it is pretty cool!
life jackets
Life jackets must be worn when doing any lake crossing or running the rapids. If I am paddling on a clear calm day I sometimes just keep one within reach.
BUG NEt
Black flies start to hatch once the water temperature reaches 40 degrees. So, by mid to late May there will be bugs. Bring along a good bug net.
sleeping PAD
I really value a good night’s sleep after a long day of paddling, so I indulge a bit and lug along the Nemo roamer XL wide. It mostly self inflates but a little more air gets a super firm, flat and comfortable surface even on uneven ground. It happens to fit really well in this Seattle Sports 43L extra-long dry bag.
Paddles
Don’t skimp on your paddle. A good lightweight carbon fiber paddle will be a lot less strain on your forearms and shoulders after days on the water. And definitely learn how to feather — the paddle will feel so much lighter if feathered when paddling into a headwind. I also bring along an extra paddle in case one breaks.
tent and Sleeping baG
There are lots of great tents and sleeping bags on the market. What I really like about this Kelty tent is that without the fly almost the entire tent is a screen. Its wonderful to look out in the morning with such an expansive view. On nice nights I usually attach “half” the fly on the back of the tent, and if it does begin to rain it takes just a few moments to secure the front.
light
In addition to good headlamps, this solar light from lumin AID has been proven its worth. The LED hardly takes any electricity so it lasts forever and is easily recharged when exposed to some sun. It packs up very small when not in use.
rope
Bring lots of rope. Rope can help setup the tarp in awkward locations, tie down the boats, serve as a clothes line and help with kayak portage! 3/8 seems like a good thickness. I like the reflective rope so you can see it at night.
food storage
If you have a canoe, bring a cooler. it will – of course – keep things cold and fresh, but also serve to keep food safe at night (by securing it with rope or tie-down straps) and prevent damage to veggies and other more fragile items. For kayak trips, we use a critter bag from Ursack for our food. Bears don’t seem prevalent, but squirrels and raccoons will make a mess of unsecure food. We freeze every thing we can before our adventures. The canoe that most outfitters provide is the Discovery 169 and it will fit a 35″ wide cooler.
sunglasses
It can get really bright on the water. Bring sunglasses. Make sure they have a strap.
paddling hat
A good hat will provide shade, warmth and, when dipped in the water, will keep you cool. I love this paddling hat from Tilley. And, it floats.