GeaR
25)

FouR Ways To lose BoDy heaT:
Conduction, convection, radiation
Benjamin Hjor
and evaporation. it’s not a contest
to see who can do all four at once.
t
20)

BuilD The ulTimaTe
The right accomplice for those longer journeys
and steep descents will be more voluminous
RiveR RunninG KiT
23)
and curvaceous to give you a fast but forgiv-
must lear

DRess FoR ConDiTions
There are two truths that we paddlers
n. The first is to dress for the cold-
In addition to your boat, helmet, paddle, PFD,
ing ride. Finally, in case you had doubts, size
est temperature, whether it’s water or air. The
skirt if kayaking and the clothes on your back,
does matter. Consider length, diameter and
second is that it’s better to be dry. Cold drizzly
here is our list of items to take on the river.
surplus… of your legs, hips and budget.
days, long swims on icy mountain runs and
fIrSt AId KIt: How many times do we have insisting that skin to wind makes you a river
to say it? Carry one and know how to use it.
22)
hero are all equally effective ways of becom-
reSCue KIt: Throw rope (50–75 feet); tow
ing cold, miserable or worse.
line—stretchy cow tail attached to quick-re-

GeT PRoTeCTeD
FRom The sun
Avoid bargain paddling tops that are not
lease belt; pin kit (see #28); plastic pea-less
Our bodies produce and lose heat constantly.
breathable and only half as waterproof as
whistle; knife or shears; breakdown spare
If we were unable to dissipate heat, our body
your yellow grade school slicker. Shelling out
paddle and, of course, duct tape.
temperatures would rise steadily until we literal-
for a comfortable and rugged drysuit or top
ly cooked ourselves. According to wilderness
PerSonAL GeAr: Nose plugs; small dry
made of quality fabric is an investment you’ll
medical professionals at the National Outdoor
bag with extra insulating layer, headlamp and
never regret. It will extend your paddling sea-
Leadership School, radiation from a person’s
lighter in case you are stuck out longer than
son and make every day enjoyable.
skin to the environment accounts for 65 per
expected; water bottle; lunch and extra en-
cent of heat loss when the air temperature is
ergy bars.
lower than the body temperature. Under a hot
AddItIonAL IteMS for overnIGHtS: sun however, our bodies actually gain heat
24)
Sleeping bag and pad; tent, tarp or bivy sack; through radiation. Evaporation from sweating
have haPPy FeeT
Closed-toed shoes rock, open-toed
repair kit—multi-tool and Seam Grip or similar and gradual acclimatization—typically taking
sandals suck. The reason: Subungual he-
flexible, waterproof glue; water purification 10 days to two weeks—to the hot climate be-
matoma (crush injury) or toenail delamina-
and more food; cook pot, stove and fuel; bowl come our only methods of staying cool.
tion—need we say more? River shoes need to
provide protection, good traction on wet rocks
and cutlery; camp clothes, compass and
Protecting yourself from direct exposure to
and be slim and flexible enough that your feet
topo map.
the sun goes a long way in preventing dan-
fit comfortably into your kayak. Mesh and san-
gerous overheating and other sun-related
dal-style shoes are quick-drying and sporty,
21)

Choose The PeRFeCT BoaT
ailments. Go for a swim or roll often to cool
but neoprene booties offer superior insulation
your core body temperature. Canoe trippers
and are your best defense against leaches.
If your interests lie in throwing blunts
should wear a light-coloured, long-sleeved
Above all, whatever your footwear—remember
and flat spins on your river runs, then you
paddling shirt. Frequently reapply waterproof
to wear them. Renowned whitewater guide Phil
should shack up with a playful boat. Your co-
sunscreen on exposed skin. Don those cool
DeRiemer tells his clients the story of a kay-
quettish play partner will be shorter, with more
polarized shades to prevent damage to your
aker who hiked barefoot eight miles out of the
aggressive edges to maximize manoeuvrabil-
eyes. Finally, Velcro a geeky visor on your
Grand Canyon of the Stikine after a bad swim
ity. On the other hand, if luscious tumbling
helmet or splurge for a stylin’ design with a
washed his boat away with his shoes stowed
drops get your heart thumping, then you’re
built-in peak.
safely behind the seat—he says it wasn’t him.
more of a serious river running man or woman.
2 Rapid
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