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Tom's TopKayaker Shop Purchases Support TopKayaker.Net   TopKayaker.Net's GUIDE TO KAYAK TOURING & CAMPING   Backpackers see the immediate advantage to kayak touring: more stuff! Canoeist think "How am I gonna get everything in!" But if you've never camped with your kayak, you are missing the greatest bliss of the sport. We'll help you get a handle on all aspects of kayak touring, from packing your kayak to planning your expedition. CAMPING 101000PACKING YOUR KAYAK000SIGNAL DEVICES 000TRIP PLANNING & NAVIGATION CAMPING 101 - YOUR WILDERNESS KITCHEN & WILD LIVING How To Purify Wilderness Water & Stow Water on a Kayak In this article we'll explore some hydration systems and purification methods to make sure your fluid intake solutions are just a sip away. "How To Eat In The Wild And Leave No Trace" An Overview of everything you need to be aware of about setting up camp in the wilderness. Links to valuable resources. "Tom's Kayak Hobo Camp Cooking" and other food tips." I thought I would share some of my old recipes and strategies for camping cuisine. TRASHY TIPS FOR CAMPERS by Tom Holtey How to pack supplies and trash for low impact wilderness use. We learn trash disposal at a young age, and as adults do not give it much thought. A few tricks of the trade can help campers carry lighter loads, reduce litter, and make "carry in - carry out" a pleasant task. Packing Your Sit-on-top Kayak Tom's TopKayaker Shop - For drybags, navigation supplies & more. Purchases Support TopKayaker.Net Packing Your Sit-on-top For Camping & Touring by Tom Holtey By properly storing your supplies and gear and placing them appropriately into your kayak, you can be ensured of good paddling performance. MAINTENANCE OF LARGE CARGO HATCHES Large size cargo hatches on touring kayaks are a blessing for campers and scuba divers. They can however be problematic in maintaining a waterproof seal at times. BASICS OF STRAP EYES, RIVETS AND WELL NUTS For Customization & Repair of Your Sit-on-top Kayak by Tom Holtey. Signal Devices Kayak Lights & Kayak Lighting Techniques For Dawn, Dusk & Night Paddling This is exactly what you need to know about how to light your kayak properly. Stories illustrate night surfing and dusk paddling precautions. We Steer By The Stars & Toward The Fire By Jo Hu Join a two mile paddle in the dark for an evening of good food, friends, and night fishing on Kapapa Island of Oahu's windward coastline. Signal Devices By Athena Holtey Proper use of appropriate signal devices are an essential part of every kayaker's safety protocol. They let others know that you need help. There are Signal devices used primarily for emergency; and there are signaling methods used to simply assist paddlers in communicating to each other. VHF Marine Radios & Communication Devices For the Kayaker by Tom Holtey Sit-on-top Kayak Trip Planning & Navigation Crossing Currents & Calculating Ferry Angles by Tom Holtey One cannot simply point their kayak at a target on the far shore and cross a strong tidal (or river) current in a straight line to it. A paddler must angle into the current. Tom teaches methods for calculating how. Group Kayak Expeditions: Formations & Communications Kayakers can enhance their paddling skills and increase safety when they apply some basic group management to their trips. Whether you paddle with a club, guided tours, kayak casually with buddies or teach kayaking, these principles will help Group Kayak Expeditions: Planning & Procedures by Tom Holtey Putting together a group paddle? Do it right. In this article Holtey outlines the details of organizing a group paddle, from choosing Lead and Sweep Paddlers to coordinating a "Float Plan." Keeping A "Ship's Log" For Kayakers - Documenting Your Kayak Adventures To Re-Live & Learn. As kayakers engaged in a sport requiring safety and skill an accurate accounting of your trip is important. This article will deal with both the sentimental and the practical reasons for keeping a kayaker's "ship log" and how to do it Planning Your Route and Finding Your Way with Kayak Navigation by Tom Holtey Using a chart and compass will allow you to find your way through unfamiliar territory and complicated waterways with lots of islands, coves and peninsulas. Such areas possess extraordinary kayaking views and adventures to the paddler familiar with navigation basics. Fall Paddling Fun & Precautions This article is a practical guide for the unique preparations required for kayakers to get the most out of the season. Includes links to important Fall and Hunting date information. TopKayaker.Net's State by State Directory of Fish & Game Departments Information on Fishing & Hunting rules & licensing for Kayak Fishermen & Seasonal Kayak Touring plans. BEAUFORT WIND SCALE FOR KAYAKERS Beaufort Windscale for Kayakers: Adapted by Tom Holtey for Tourers and Kayak Sailors alike. A table to help you estimate windspeed by observing the water conditions; or estimate water conditions by listening to windspeeds in a weather report. Small Craft Navigation Tool by Tom Holtey. You can make your own handy navigation tool using a protractor and piece if fine string. Tom shows you how. Topo Maps, GPS and UTM Grid Readers Electronic devices can and do fail. For this reason if you do depend on using a GPS consider also carrying a topo map, compass and a UTM Grid Reader. Instruction here on how to use the UTM Grid Reader. "Road Maps Take You To The Put-In; U.S.G.S. Topo Maps Reveal The Adventure" This service centers a map on your favorite paddling place, stores it for later purchase in a water-proof format at a reasonable cost, and allows you to share it with others. All you need is an email address and user ID to get started. No obligation to buy. Buy through our links and it supports our efforts here at SOTK.COM For Better Enjoyment in the Wild See Also: The Rules of The Wild by Tom Holtey Tom explores those close encounters with wildlife that tempt and engage the kayaker. Guidance and suggestions with links to booka as well as free publications. Wildlife Viewing & Photography Tips by Andrew Thompson Photographer / Kayaker Andrew Thompson of Wild Light Images shares tips on how to properly approach and observe wildlife for the best experience and photographs.