Canoe Journey Journal

A massive amount of preparation goes into the canoe journey, as I wrote in the Herald last week. Launching the journey takes months of practice, fundraising and organization.

On a personal level, each participant is responsible for providing a kit of gear in a plastic tote, which will be packed from campsite to campsite by the ground crew. For illustrative purposes, I have posted a photo of the kit I packed this afternoon (not procrastinating, merely maximizing time efficiency).

Each tote, in theory, includes a tent, sleeping bag, extra clothes, rain gear, extra shoes, towels, a flashlight and hygiene items. Pullers also bring a life jacket (thank you Doug), sunscreen, sunglasses and a brimmed hat, along with a paddle (more to come on that).

If this doesn’t seem like a lot of gear, multiply it 120. That’s how many Port Gamble S’Klallam members are participating in the Journey this year, though most will not be pulling. My estimate in the Herald story was woefully low.

As a reporter, I’ll be bringing my own baggage to the Journey (only some of it emotional). I’ll have a camera, lenses, batteries, a netbook for blogging and filing stories with, and all the associated cords.