Improving Packing for Expeditions
Andy Singh
Self sufficiency remains the foundational capability to a successful expedition. Each boat and each paddler is capable of completing the challenge. Each paddler contributes to the collective capability through compassion, generosity and leadership. The following article is updated through lessons and experience from the 2020 Murrumbidgee and 2021 Darling river expeditions.
Secondary safety equipment (not carried on deck) can be stored in each boat, in the same spot, in the accessible area under the front hatch. This allows individual equipment to be collectively available when required.
Using water filters and purification tablets can significantly reduce weight in the boat across the trip. One water filter across three paddlers provided 4 litres of clean water to each paddler each day.
Using 2 x 2 person carry straps was the most effective way of moving heavily packed kayaks up and down steep muddy banks. Wheel trolleys were far less versatile. When off duty, the straps were used as tree guards for those camping in hammocks.
Assume every part of the kayak will fall apart, especially footrests, rudders and cables - carry spares for everything.
Our fast and light (5m+) provide significantly more storage room than plastic kayaks - resist the temptation to fill up the extra space with junk.
A paperback novel is never junk, but an essential item when misfortune strikes.
Generous innovation should be encouraged - the mini-soda stream and rising river level alarm all contributed to better group experience.
SPOT trackers located on shoulders are more capable of connecting to satellites and give regular (10 min) signals, than when they are stored with other safety equipment or in your PFD pocket
The Art of Expeditionary Packing
Andy Singh
15 December 2019
In 2019 the day after returning from the Murray, I took the opportunity to review what I took and how I packed. Each item was weighed before being cleaned and packed away.
In total, I took 117 different items, plus the addition of multiples of the same items.
Most useful item – small pair of scissors – promoted on Day 3 to front deck bag in recognition of frequent service
Most important item – throw rope – legendary Day 1 performance – the gift against grief
Unused item – hand saw – what was I thinking?
Most poorly performing item – my spork broke on Day 1
Crew member of the month – stepping into the void created by the demise of my spork, I recovered a plastic spoon from my coffee supplies. The little white plastic spoon provided great service for the next four and a half days before succumbing to a careless unload on Day 5 – RIP little spoon.
I anticipate about 108 items who joined me in 2019 will be invited along in 2020.
All together I carried 45 kg of gear, plus my 84 kg of body mass and 23 kg of kayak weight, creating a 150 kg missile shooting down the river.
Of the 45 kg load, my camping gear weighed 13.3 kg, my water and wine weighed
16 kg, my food 5 kg and my kayaking gear including paddles, PFD, clothes and
safety gear weighed 10.9 kg.
Water and wine constituted 35% of my total load weight. For the future,
reducing weight may involve
a) giving up drinking wine
b) being able to filter water
c) planning the trip with water resupplies.
I brought twice as much food as I needed – ultimately I had a good breakfast –
I nibbled throughout the day and had a good dinner. Most of my lunches
and desserts came home.
There is not much scope for reducing the weight of kayaking gear, most of it
was essential.
So in training for the 2020 Murray Descent, loading my boat with 15 kg in the front and 15 kg in the back, would mirror expeditionary kayaking conditions.
This year, 65% of the load weight sat in the rear hatch and 35% in the forward hatch. An additional 13% sat in front of my feet behind the foot plate. Without an understanding of physics, the over weighted rear assisted in keeping the kayak manoeuvrable. On the wider and more predictable waters of the Murray below Hume, I can shift weight forward to create a more balanced boat.
My 4.8m Q-Kayak Shearwater has a rear hatch capacity of 91 litres and a front capacity of 52 litres. This was more than enough to store all my gear. Ultimately packing within the kayak is a practiced reductionist skill, and one highly valued by those who need a bit of OCD in their lives. Certainly I would have no reservations taking my Shearwater on another week-long trip again. But in 2020 I am in my Mirage 530, enjoying an extra 22 litres of capacity.