Getting it Together

We're flying out tomorrow so now's the time for some frantic packing. Plenty of last minute purchases and some frantic boat padding and I'm about ready to go. My boat (a brand new yellow Medium Burn - thanks Pyranha) only arrived this week so I've been a bit rushed getting it sorted. I got it afloat last night to sort my trim out and I've crash-proofed my footrest as well - always a good idea.

Whenever I get a new creek boat I always make sure to build a sandwich footrest: two bulkheads with softer, squishier foam in the middle with plenty of air space to compress. I doubt it would save my ankles if I landed from too high onto rock, but it might mean less time on crutches.

It was seeing two of my friends total their ankles in one summer (James and Rosie) that makes me make the effort. A strongly recommended addition to any creek boat.

When you're packing for a trip, you're normally amazed at how much stuff you're taking. In this case it's the opposite - I'm looking at the pile thinking 'how can I get away with this little for three weeks?'

Part of the answer is that it's hot: I'd expect to take far more for a cold weather destination. As it is, I'm just taking a shortie cag and a pair of shorts to paddle in. There are several important bits in the mix:

1. Filter water bottle by Katadyn - really simple and really effective.
2. Split paddles - always handy.
3. Alpkit wee Airic sleeping mat. A steal at £15.
4. 1 season down sleeping bag.
5. Decent river shoes (Teva Gamma Pros) - if you're in a marble canyon it's a good idea to have some sort of traction.
6. Spectra throwline - better than a standard rope for vertical access work. Let's hope we don't need to test it.
7. 1:50 000 maps of the Eastern mountains. Handy for finding rivers.
8. Elbow pads - enough said.
9. First aid kit
10. Astral Rescue 300 buoyancy aid. I'm reviewing it for Plughole.
11. LED headtorch. Handy for walking out of rivers in the dark...

And this is it - packed! Hand luggage and a bit extra to fit in the boat. Let's hope they're not too strict about the 22kg weight limit...