Words:
John R. Dean &
Sam N. Dean

Photos:
John R. Dean &
Sam N. Dean

John R. Dean

Winter canoeing: All you need to know for that outdoor experience

Once summer goes, and the trees start to turn to their autumn colours, you might think it is time to put away the canoe, and overnight trips are at an end. But the time between the arrival of Autumn colours and the first appearance of snowdrops is a magical time to go canoeing on lakes and rivers.

For one thing, the rivers might have water in them, making it the perfect season to go canoeing, whether your preference is for a river in England, Wales or Scotland.  And, of course, those summer lake or loch locations also provide excellent winter paddling opportunities.

This article looks at some pre-expedition or day-trip thoughts you need to consider before your plans come to fruition. The first question is: are you planning a day trip or a multiple-day overnight trip? This will then reflect on how much kit you need to take, as well as perhaps what you might wear. And then, of course, where shall you go and for how long? All great things to think about and plan.

Most of us, when we think about wild camping, imagine tents, hammocks or bivvy bags, not motor transport in a motorhome, a converted ex-ambulance or a military vehicle, or possibly a roof tent. So ultimately, we need to think about how we can pack all the kit we want to take within the canoe.

Canoe: solo or tandem
One of the first decisions is the size of the canoe you have and whether you plan to canoe solo or tandem. For tandem paddling, a 16-foot canoe is ideal, but for a solo canoeist, a 14-16-foot canoe works as well. It means that even if two of you are in the canoe, you still have room for essential kit, and if solo, you have lots of room for even more kit.

One of the great benefits of canoeing in a group, whether solo or tandem, is that you not only get to share the experience, but it creates a social aspect to the journey, with an opportunity to chat or not, to share the cooking and meals, and perhaps the tent (or not).

Outside of the on-the-water activity, it provides an opportunity to share in food preparation, sorting out the campsite layout and sleeping arrangements, whether in tents, tarps with hammocks, or a bivvy. It is always good practice to bring a tarp to stay dry when on land (for example, when eating lunch as a group if the weather is not great).

One of the major issues to address when camping is how to store all the kit in the canoe. It is essential that all items are in dry bags and that the dry bags are attached to the canoe’s infrastructure (via the thwart, carrying yoke, or leeboard lacing). Whether the dry bags are attached on leashes so that they would float away while remaining attached to the canoe, or connected in such a way that if the canoe capsized, they would stay in situ.

This is an oft-debated topic that has various consequences: in the case of the former, the bags and leashes could become entrapment hazards for a swimmer, while in the latter case, the water is not displaced from an upturned canoe due to the retention of the bags, and the ability to rescue the canoe provides more of a challenge.

What to wear?
Always an interesting dilemma. For trips from autumn to spring, you have two options: a drysuit, or a cag and dry pants with suitable hardwearing, grippy shoes. The drysuit does what it says (provided it has no leaks), it covers you from head to toe, with your hands and head the only parts sticking out, in a waterproof garment. The addition of zips at strategic points allows toilet duties to be performed as and when needed. But what about a cag/trousers set-up? They provide a very valid option for most canoeists for the following reasons.

Canoeists tend to paddle on lakes/lochs in wind speeds of no more than 18 mph (up to Beaufort Force 4) and rivers of grade 1-2(3). So, for the experienced canoeist, it is doubtful that you will be in the water, and except for rainfall and the odd splash, you will not get wet. And this is where the cag/dry trousers come into their own. Instead of being encased in a drysuit, where the physical activity of canoeing will make you sweat, whatever the outside weather is like, the cag/dry pants allows you to wear more layers such as wool socks and thermal trousers as well as multiple natural or synthetic tops of different weights (e.g. Merino Wool base layers go from 150 g to 250 g) to adjust your temperature as your day on the water goes.

As for footwear, based on the garments mentioned above, your feet are unlikely to get wet (provided the dry pants/drysuit do not leak), but they will get cold. If your footwear size allows, wear some wool socks and keep your feet active. Regular foot movements and/or getting out of your canoe for a quick walk will usually do the trick to keep the blood flowing and provide some warmth.

When the day is finished and canoeing has ceased, it is essential to consider what to wear. If you are simply on a day paddle, slipping on a dryrobe (or similar) and hopping into a warm car or van is easy.

But what about the overnight camp? Changing into dry clothes and footwear after your paddling is an excellent idea. The use of a tarp or group shelter, at this stage, can also provide a handy changing area. Again, for body warmth, you can think about wearing different base layers, a synthetic or natural fibre down jacket (it needs to be waterproof) or similar. For footwear, thermal Wellington boots or walking boots will keep your feet warm around the campsite.

Venue: where shall you go?
In winter, you have many more river choices than in summer, which is a good starting thought. Our natural climate provides rainfall from September onwards, though sometimes a bit too much, often enough to make for an enjoyable day or multiday river trip. To name a few of our favourite canoe locations is the simplest way to address this question. So, what about the following:

Rivers in England:
Eden (various stretches), Tees (various stretches), Tyne (north and south), or further south, the Wye.

Rivers in Scotland:
Dee, Findhorn, Spey or Tay.

Rivers in Wales:
Dee or Wye.

Lakes in England:
Kielder Water, Lake District

Lochs in Scotland:
Awe, Ken, Lochy, Lomond, Ness, Rannoch Moor, Shiel, Tay, and Tummel.

Lake in Wales:
Llyn Tegid

We are sure that you have your favourites as well in these and other parts of the UK, or you can consult some of the fantastic guidebooks available.

For multiday winter canoeing river and lake expeditions, it is essential to stay within your comfort zone in terms of your skill level. It is not uncommon on grade 1-2(3) rivers to find a rapid is followed by a flatter section of river with an opportunity to chill out and relax.

This provides a chance to take a calmer, more relaxed river trip (to lower your arousal level), enjoy the scenery, and reflect on your journey. The same approach applies to lakes and lochs: the wind may create waves depending on how far it travels over the water, but there is always a lull in the wind or a sheltered bay to sit back and enjoy the day.

Autumn provides an excellent opportunity to view foliage colour, winter snow, the crisp chill of magical scenery and heavy rainfall (well, you can decide).  And the chance to view the wildlife (be it on the ground or in the air) as you gently canoe.

Campsite: wild camping
On a multiday canoe expedition, it is important to think about where you might wild camp. Scotland has a specific law that makes wild camping accessible—the Right of Responsible Access to Land and Inland Water, under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. But do remember that the philosophy and practice of ‘leave no trace’ is a fantastic model on which to base your canoeing/camping wherever you are.

When locating a suitable site, make sure you are ‘out of sight’ of housing and other dwellings, and look for firm ground and land unlikely to flood overnight or turn into a stream if it rains (it does happen). For toilet activities in the wild, consider carrying a separate waterproof bag with essentials such as toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitiser, and a trowel, along with dog poo bags. We are sure you can figure out what to do with each of them. And do carry out the activity at least 30 m from a watercourse (river or lakeside). And please do not leave toilet paper on river/lake banks. There is nothing worse than a camping site littered with used toilet paper.

For some good advice, check out this website from Mountaineering Scotland (https://www.mountaineering.scot/safety-and-skills/health-and-hygiene/outdoor-toileting) for tips on burial methods, bag-and-bin it, why you should care, and emergency poos. While this site is for mountaineers, the activity is still the same and is most likely taking place on land!

At the wild campsite, you have several accommodation options that you have made decisions about before setting off on your journey. These will include a tent (one to three person), a hammock and tarp set-up or a hammock and bivvy set-up. In each case, all camping kit must stay dry by being placed in dry bags in case of rain or a canoe capsize.
A 4-season sleeping bag (synthetic or down) is ideal. Sleeping bags have temperature ratings that allow you to choose a temperature at which you are comfortable sleeping. The temperature ratings are often expressed as a comfort range (a lower and upper limit) and as extreme ratings based on the outside temperature.

It is wise to purchase a sleeping bag with a comfort rating you would like to experience for winter camping, perhaps as low as -4 °C. For a tent or bivvy, it is advantageous to include an inflatable mat that provides not only a cushion but a thermal insulation layer between you and your sleeping bag and the ground. For a hammock, as well as the sleeping bag, a thermal under blanket is essential to retain warmth, and the tarp is necessary to not only cover the hammock but also to keep all your other kit dry and to provide a place to cook and eat if the weather is inclement.

In all these cases, the ability to pack them away as small as possible in a dry bag (or two) aids their stowage in your canoe.

Cooking and heating
Keeping food and water intake up is a good thing while winter canoeing. It provides the necessary calorie intake for the weather and sufficient fluids to prevent dehydration (in a drysuit or cag). For cooking, you have a few fuel options in the form of gas, liquid or (solid) wood. The variety of types of cooking gas and burners provides options that are both light, portable, simple to use and rely on (perhaps) cooking one-pot-wonders.

The range of gas canister types makes all-weather camping possible by selecting from propane, butane, or an isobutane-propane mix. Liquid fuel can come in two forms: propane, which uses a manual pump to pressurise a separate fuel container, or liquid bioethanol/methylated spirits, which are often associated with the use of a Trangia-type stove. Solid fuels include fuel blocks (made from bioethanol) or wood. For the last option, they can be used in two forms: an open fire or contained within a portable stove. As this is winter camping, the risk of fire spreading from an open fire should be minimal, but care is always needed when leaving it unattended and ensuring it is thoroughly doused with water in the morning.

One obvious disadvantage of using wood is the need for dry wood. One possibility is to take the wood with you and store it in a dry bag, along with a lighter or matches and some dry kindling to get it going. A significant advantage of having a fire (open or stove) is that it not only allows cooking and boiling water for drinks, but also provides a focal point for sitting, relaxing, and chatting with friends in the evening.

What about what you eat while out canoe camping in winter? It is essential, from a personal perspective, that you enjoy what you are going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as the option of snacks in between, with a selection of hot and cold drinks. The marketplace has lots of ready-made freeze-dried meals or ration packs that just need hot water and cover all meals throughout the day. Our preference, though, is to buy fresh produce from the supermarket and place it in zip-lock bags as a ‘prepared’ meal. So, for example, for breakfast, pancakes are great.

The zip-lock bag would have been prepared pre-expedition with plain flour, dried milk powder, and sugar. When ready, add the egg and water, then whisk. And no need to buy a plastic egg camping holder, as eggs come in a degradable cardboard holder that aids transportation, direct from the supermarket. Just remember: when packing food, don’t store the eggs in their box at the bottom of a barrel.

Cook in a lightly greased frying pan with a bit of oil. Add some fruit or just eat warm with tea or coffee. Lunches might be a combination of fruit, cheese and biscuits. If a hot drink is required, or you just want one, having the ability to make one easily is great (Trangia, gas stove, or Jetboil-type for water heating). For dinner, a ziplock bag might contain enough pasta for the meal, an onion, tomatoes or passata (in a box, not glass), some type of seasonal vegetable to add to the tomato sauce, and cheese to add at the end. It becomes a two-pot affair, but it is easy to prepare even with one heat source. Having a supply of fresh water is essential to avoid illness. In addition, basic food hygiene is an integral part of camp craft and one to be embraced. For a short trip (a few days), it is feasible to take enough bottled water for the duration.

Alternatively, water filtration and sterilisation are possible. It is a good idea to pack the food, particularly if you are using fresh ingredients, into a barrel. The barrel protects the food from being crushed, and, with the addition of barrel bags, allows packing into compartments for ease of use and finding.

A few additional thoughts
It is good practice, and provides comfort to other family members and friends, that if you plan to spend time either alone or with a small group of friends canoeing on lakes and rivers, you always let someone else know your plans, and let them see each day where you are, and that you are safely off the water. But be aware that your mobile phone network provider likely does not have coverage across all parts of the UK.

It is possible to go out of reach of a mobile phone signal. In these cases, consider a device like a SPOT (www.findmespot.com) or Garmin inReach (www.garmin.com) that provides satellite communication. While these subscription service devices add to your costs, they do give a reassurance to those back home that you are safe and well. Hopefully, in those unlikely situations where things have got out of hand and you cannot self-rescue yourself and your group, they do have an in-built SOS system.

Exciting and uplifting
And finally, just being outside and enjoying the winter months, be they cool, wet, or an unexpected bright, clear day, with early morning mist on the lake or river, is both exciting and certainly uplifting. While daylight hours will be shorter, some people whose working day follows an early morning arrival and late home departure might not experience much outdoor time, except maybe a brisk walk at lunchtime.

It is often said that spending time in nature is beneficial to our mental health and physical well-being. So, come on, get the map out and plan a journey in your canoe. And who knows, you might even spot the Aurora Borealis on your winter canoeing expedition. Or to put it another way, if you are planning a Scotland trip, the west coast rivers and lochs are good news as it’s not midge season! And finally, do remember to take a torch with you.

A checklist:
Get planning your winter canoeing experience, location: river or lake

• Discuss options with friends and who is driving.
• Establish timeframe (dates) and access and egress points (shuttle or not).
• Check that all your camping gear is ready and packed in dry bags.
• Sleeping bag (4-season ideally)
• Sleeping mat
• Tent, bivvy, or hammock
• Tarp (3m x 3m or better if space allows 4m x 4m)
• Check that the canoe is correctly outfitted with end airbags/buoyancy and that the thwarts/yoke are in good condition.
• Sort paddles (always take a spare, just in case).
• A canoe pole (might be useful with a Tarp or for its intended use).
• Check your paddling gear: outer layers, inner layers, and footwear.
• Gloves, mitts or pogies (to keep your hands warm).
• A helmet for moving water or a warm woolly hat for lakes.
• Pack your buoyancy aid (it also helps retain warmth in cold weather).
• Buy and pack food and water (zip-lock bags help separate foods/meals).
• Gas stove and fuel (check you have enough fuel).
• Wood (stove or fire box). Check that the wood is dry, and keep it that way.
• Cooking pots and utensils.
• Check your off-the-water gear: outer and inner layers and footwear (plus waterproofs).
• Take a first aid kit (you never know).
• Take a toilet bag (in a dry bag)
• Water or water filter/purification tablets.
• Map, compass, and GPS (SPOT or inReach with spare batteries).
• Mobile phone (fully charged) and spare batteries/power pack.
• Whistle (to help raise the alarm if all else fails).
• Headtorch and spare batteries.
• Canoe repair kit (multitool, gaffer tape, cable ties).