The gang’s all here
The best way to experience Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands is with a sea kayak full of camping gear. Although Lake Superior is a fresh water lake, water temperatures struggle to top 55 degrees, even in the summer. On top of that, squalls frequently blow in and kick up dangerous waves. Preparation is key.
The National Park Service advises using a seaworthy craft of at least 16 feet, with a PFD, a wet or dry suit, spray skirt, bilge pump, compass, weather radio, map, extra paddle, paddle float, tow line and throw bag, and be able to perform a self- or assisted rescue.
Once you have all the safety basics, the list below will make your time on the Apostles all the more memorable.
NAVIGATION
COMPASS
Brunton 70P Dash Mount Compass
The compass you buy for your sea kayak ultimately depends on the manufacturer’s recommendation. I paddle a P&H Cetus and P&H recommends the Brunton 70P Dash Mount Compass. Mounting the compass was simple and took all of 12 minutes. The only part that made me squeamish was drilling holes in the fiberglass. Once installed, seal any remaining gaps between the screws and deck with AquaSeal. Don’t be concerned about readability if your compass recess bowl sits a fair distance from the cockpit. The numbers are definitely big enough to read. But be careful about having any metal close to the compass itself. I had a fleece jacket with a metal zipper in the dryhatch below the compass and the zipper alone was enough to cause it to point south no matter which direction I paddled. Brunton.com | $127
MAP CASE
NRS HydroLock Mapcessory Map Case
This giant zip-close baggie self-seals to the deck under deck rigging and stayed tightly in place even in ten-knot winds. The solid HydroLock zip seal kept my map and camping permits fully protected from water and strong winds. Even with the constant droplets of water that splashed onto the deck, I had a clear view of the map through the large urethane window at all times. nrs.com | $30
PFD
The modular Kokatat Poseidon PFD
The modular outfitting design allows for a wide range of customization depending on your paddling agenda and destination. But the beauty of this PFD lies in the clips and webbing straps that allow for personalized configuration options, like adding a quick-release belt ($35), Belly Pocket ($40) and a Tactic Pack ($65). The Poseidon PFD also offers two options for hydration: A sleeve in the back panel that can hold a Hydrapak Elite 1.5-liter reservoir ($42) or via the Tactic Pack, which has a main pocket large enough for a reservoir. Kokatat.com | $170
Kokatat Poseidon Expedition Kit in the cockpit
Since the optional add-ons mentioned above can add up when purchased individually ($182), the $149 price point of the Poseidon Expedition Kit is a much better value. Designed for the Kokatat Poseidon PFD, the kit includes the Tactic Pack, Belly Pocket, Hydrapak Elite 1.5 liter Reservoir, and Poseidon Quick Release Belt accessories. The hydration reservoir-compatible Tactic Pack can be attached backpack-style, or on the front and offers more cargo capacity and hydration options for long crossings or extended days in the cockpit. kokatat.com | $149
DRYBAGS
BULKHEAD TAPERED DRY BAG
SealLine Bulkhead Bag
Its unique shape fits into the tight depths of a kayak’s bow or stern hatches to make the most of the limited space. Before the SealLine Bulkhead Bag, I stashed clothes in three or four different drybags that were all over the board in terms of stiffness. With this bag however, all my clothes fit perfectly into the far reaches of my bow hatch. Keeping clothing in one bag also means better organization. Extra props that it’s made in the USA. seallinegear.com | $50
DECK BAGS
Sea to Summit Solution Access Deck Bag
Long days paddling between islands means you can’t get to land in a hurry. Pre-deck bag I had to pop and reseal the sprayskirt on the water to access items I needed in a hurry, like bug spray, snacks, sunblock, camera, and a first aid kit. Bonus that it does not impede the kayak when rolling. Seatosummitusa.com | $90
Watershed Aleutian Deck Bag from the cockpit
This deck bag sits flat and wide on the deck, giving it a very low profile. I found this particular deck bag to be the breed standard for design, craftsmanship and durability. It has a host of cool features that I found useful, like a mesh water bottle holder, clips for my bilge pump, and an integrated map case. Once this bag is sealed there is no earthly way water will penetrate its RF-welded seams. An amazing American made piece of gear that every sea kayaker should own. drybags.com | $139
OtterBox Drybox 3250
Even I have trust issues with waterproof drybags protecting electronics. But the OtterBox Drybox 3250 is as close to a 100 percent guarantee as it can get. It’s rugged, it’s waterproof, and it floats. Safely tucked inside its quarter-inch thick polycarbonate outer shell and 1/16-inch thick polyethylene foam lining were my phone, car keys and two small power chargers. Its small size meant that I could keep it stashed in my deck backs for easy access. OtterBox.com | $40
CAMPING GEAR
TENT
A Sierra Designs Divine Lite 2 FL contemplates Lake Superior
This super-lightweight tent packs down to a miniscule size that fits perfectly into a sea kayak’s dry hatches. Set-up is intuitive and fast and when I was tent-bound due to a series of thunderstorms, it provided a non-claustrophobic experience thanks to a ceiling that is wider than the floor. I love the versatility of this non-dome tent. A large vestibule in the front for gear storage also transitions into an enjoyable front port — complete with awning — when propped up with a set of sea kayak paddles. You can also roll the entire awning back for optimal views of the lake, sea, stars, or (in our case) the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. sierradesigns.com | $390
FIRESTARTER
UCO Sweetfire Strikeable Fire Starter
Made from Bagasse, a byproduct of sugarcane (hence the name “sweetfire”), each eco-friendly Sweetfire Strikeable Fire Starter will burn for up to seven minutes, giving ample time to get a fire started. For wet or windy days, switch to the Titan Stormproof Match Kit. This kit includes 12 matches and three replaceable strikers in a handy, compact waterproof case that floats. industrialrev.com | $6
COOLER
Mountainsmith Sixer Soft Cooler
I personally chose this size so its soft sides would squish together enough to fit into a sea kayak dryhatch. Inside its Poyethylene foam-insulated shell, my pre-trip meat-n-vegetable mixture stayed frozen for eight hours with the assistance of a Yeti icepack, a pack of frozen brats, and bag of frozen peas. It also kept hardboiled eggs at room temperature when I tethered it to a log and set it in three inches of cold Lake Superior water for a few hours each day. mountainsmith.com | $25
STOVE
Primus PrimeTech Stove cooking lunch on dock at Otter Island
The greatest expeditions in history included a Primus stove. Charles and Anne Lindbergh used one on their historic 1933 flight across the North and South Atlantic. Another Primus stove climbed Mt. Everest in 1953 with Tenzing Norgay and Ed Hilary. More recently, a PrimeTech 1.3L Stove Set completed an expedition of Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands. With two pots and under two pounds, it is small enough to fit into a sea kayak’s dry hatch but large enough to adequately feed two sea kayakers. Having two pots was great because I could cook noodles in one while prepping food or heating up meat and vegetables or sauce in the other. primus.us | $140
HYDRATION
GSI Outdoors Stainless Steel 64oz Growler & Stainless Steel Nesting Wine Glass
This trip was a test of how well a growler full of Besieged Red Blend would go over in the dry hatch of a sea kayak. The findings from the experiment were conclusive: No paddling trip is complete without a GSI Outdoors Stainless Steel 64 ounce Growler filled with wine. It fit into my sea kayak’s dry hatches and kept the wine at room temperature for five days thanks to its vacuum insulation. If wine isn’t your thing, it works equally well for craft beer, water, or hot beverages. But if drinking wine, may I suggest pairing it with a GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel nesting wine glass? gsioutdoors.com | $55
COFFEE
Stoked Roaster Stoked Stix
No need to pack a French press for that perfect cup of coffee in the morning. The taste and flavor of Stoked Stix is outstanding. The packets are lightweight, convenient and instant. The empty packets can even be burned in the campfire. Though Stoked Roasters is a brick-and-mortar coffee shop in Hood River, OR, they do have a convenient subscription program to deliver fresh beans to your front door as often as you want. stokedroasters.com | $9
FOOTWEAR
Chaco z/Cloud X2
When sea kayaking, it’s a given that your feet will get wet. I love these sandals because they fit in the tight confines of a sea kayak while also providing plenty of padding between my heels and the floor to mitigate heel rub. When I climb out of the boat and sluff through water, the three-millimeter lugs and aggressive tread provide optimal traction and the double-strapped polyester jacquard webbing dried fast. I also love the Chaco Aurora Cloud flips for wearing around camp and airing my feet after a day in the cockpit. Their diminutive size took up minimal space in the dry hatches. chacos.com | $110
RAINGEAR
Royal Robbins Oakham rain jacket
Though the average touring sea kayak is 17-18 feet long, space is still limited. This rain jacket works great for sea kayaking because it is lightweight, fully waterproof, and the hood is adjustable and deep enough to provide outstanding coverage even when paddling into driving rain. The piece de resistance is that it packs down into its side pocket to easily fit in my deck bag. The jacket’s stretchy fabric allowed for good range of motion in my arms and shoulders and didn’t impede paddling in any way. royalrobbins.com | $109
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