Carrying systems on a budget

The level six kayak paper here at CPIT has as part of its practical intensive papers, an introduction or for some of us, induction into what it is to kayak on the West Coast of the South Island. For some of us, words that come to mind when thinking about West Coast rivers are steep, tight, and technical (and whatever connotations these words conjure up when used in this context). However, other words that aren't common when boating in other areas of the country, such as walk ins, and issues, come in to their own in this region. Most rivers in the area are only accessible by foot or helicopter and as the title of this post suggests, money is of the essence so for the most part, walking in to a river with your boat on your back, is the way forward.

The level six paper involves one of these walk ins and as is commonly the case, it is a first time event for most of the class. Apart from the hard man of our class we all tried to use some sort of carrying system with varying results. (see above where butters finds out that some times when you've fallen, you can't get up) This post will share a tried and true method, along with some advice for virgin walk in boaters.

The first point i want to put forward is, walk ins are something to be treasured. With the right system, there is no reason why a walk in needs to be much harder than your average tramp, yet you get to paddle out at the end of the day, on what would have been your pack.

The advantage of cost effective carrying systems is that obviously less is more. Just as the environmental care code says, take only photos and leave only footprints. The same goes with kayaking and obviously the less you take in, the less you have to paddle out with. For this reason, with the systems shown here, we have tried to use what we would already be taking on the river. Slings, prussics, and carabiners will provide the backbone of the system, add to this your everyday foam noodle, and you've got that extra bit of comfort that can make the difference between an enjoyable adventure and a harrowing trudge.

The example on the left is one of the easiest and cheapest designs that we've inherited and adapted to achieve a hassle free walk in. With a short length of foam for your neck threaded on the sling, each end of the sling goes around a side seat pillar, then gets tied off on the sling on either side of the neck foam. From here the two shoulder strap noodles are threaded on to each end of the sling, and the sling ends are tied off together. This then gets attached by carabiner to the grab loop at the bottom of the boat (extra length can be achieved with prussic). The green sling on the ground is used to take some weight off the shoulders by clipping into the carriers B A's shoulder straps.

This system will work for most boats although Jefe's, Nomad's and other boats have broaching pins behind the cockpit which can make it easier, and even give you a point to run a waist strap from, if that's how you roll. Other boats (Riot Magnums) don't have adequate seat pillars so other methods will need to be used.

There are harness systems on the market that are comfortable, light and effective (Hydraulics), but why not use what you are going to have to take anyway? Noodles act as good water displacement in your boat, and weigh nothing. Alternatively, if you've got an old bag lying around it is easy enough to cut off the excess material and fashion a mint harness. Reduce and reuse! Seatbelts are also fantastic to make a permanent harness out of which can include waist straps (see Jared cause his system's mint). The Super Shed as always is generally able to provide second hand stuff.

When it comes down to it if you don't want to spend lots of time and energy catching up to your tutors on that first walk in, get a boat and rig up your harness at home. Go for a walk around the block to test it out, you won't be the first to get funny looks from townies.