Moutcha Gear List

ok,
while T started the thread on hitchin and arrangin rides north, i took his advice and looked for a must have gear listing thread among all our older discussions, and didnt see one. Mods, help me out if you know we already have this someplace and i missed it.

sooooo;

1. Tent/ Tarp/ Shelter
2. Sleeping gear:
3. Camp stove? how many grills and other cooking appliances are already there, but might be over taxed?
4. Cooking gear & utensils
5. Water storage [ sounds funny but you might want to pick up a 5 gal. collapsible ]
6. Marine Radio [ btw, are there any special regs for vhf marine radios in canada?]
7. Rain Gear
8. FF batt charger
9. Camp Lantern

all, this is a start. feel free to add to it.  i'm almost positive those of you who've been there before can either add or subtract, and i know rookies like myself would appreciate it. for example, would it be advisable to bring extension cords? and where would we plug them in?
Rich

in addition to what i've posted above, there is also a Kayak Don't Forget list on our site wiki; www.northwestkayakanglers.com/wiki should get you to it.

 

W.R.,

I'll start by telling you the parts that I'm real sure WILL be on hand and therefore you won't need to take them with you:  There will be a good amount of flat dirt to set tents on or park on.  Porta-potties have been arranged.  There will be a freshwater stream from which to draw water.  I'd recommend filtering it or boiling it for drinking or cooking.  There might be some primitive showers set up, but I wouldn't count on it.  I'm pretty sure that there has been a community pile of fire wood arranged for.  That pretty much covers it.  Probably not "primitive as can be", but fairly primitive.

Tahsis is approximately 20 or 25 more miles away from Gold River beyond Moutcha Bay resort or our camp, which will not be at the resort.  It is about 40 miles back east to Gold River.  Both towns will require driving pretty rough loggers roads.  Both towns will have ice and some amount of groceries.  I don't know about Tahsis cause I've never been there, but G.R. has two motels (start at about $100 a night), a tavern, and 2 or 2.5 eateries.  Campbell River is easily 4 hours to the east and has a good number of all kinds of things, especially a really good and complete fishing gear shop at which I reccommend you stop on the way over.  That fishing shop is full of helpful info., the exact kind of gear that will work in the area, and yep... they WILL sell you your permit or licence with the salmon tag, but you have to hand them Can. or U.S. CASH, no credit for fish licenses.

As for what you DO need to take... well, that could go on an on.  It depends on exactly how you camp and what you want to do, what you plan to eat, etc.  I'll wait and see how this thread plays out and if you still are uncertain then I'll be sure to load you up with some more ideas.

There WILL be things that you can NOT take into Canadia.  Check here:  http://canadaonline.about.com/od/customs/Canada_Customs_and_Border_Services.htm  or heres another one:  http://www.gonorthwest.com/Visitor/planning/border/border.htm  You can't take guns or bear spray.  You have to buy the bear spray over there if you think you will need it.  Yes, there are a LOT of bears in that area.  Check last years Moutcha thread for more on this subject.

Fishin-T

I'm still working on item #1, free pass from the wife.  After that I can worry about the details of camping and fishing gear.

Brian

T,
just the two links alone made your reply worth posting this.

looks like the safe bet to cross the border is to make a list of everything you have on board, in en dupe', and make sure the border guard/customs guys get a copy. hadnt thot of bear being a problem, but then, now you mention it, there is that pic of polepole with the largish black in the background.

Here's how I deal with the border crossings:

No guns or explosives or bear spray.  The bear spray one surprized me when I first saw it.

Don't take fresh fruits or vegetables, mostly meaning the ones that grow in our part of the world and therefore their part of the world.  That means oranges or avacadoes or bananas would be fine.  Processed stuff is usually fine too.  Uncooked potatoes are gonna be right OUT.

DO take positive I.D.  A certified copy of your birth certificate is still okay so far, but they almost always want a second I.D. with that one.  A passport is better.  Look here: http://www.bctravel.com/travel2.html

We like to laugh over here, they like to laugh over there.  But you'll find in a big hurry that nobody patrolling either side of the border has ANY sense of humor about things that might partain to the border.

For me, it's never been any more complicated than what I've listed here.  I didn't mention alcohol because it depends on just what alcohol:  http://www.britishcolumbia.com/information/details.asp?id=4  I don't totally recommend it, but that link says that you can take as much as 24 twelve ounce bottles of beer "for your own personal consumption".  Myself, I usually like THEIR beer better than ours anyway.

Fishin-T

Myself, I usually like THEIR beer better than ours anyway.

Blasphemer!

I don't think I'd trade an Oregon craft beer for a Molson.  I would however take a Molson over a Budwiser and I'm sure BC craft beers are pretty good.  That said, I'd probably just sample the local beers as well.  No need to import when there are plenty of good craft brews to sample.  Oh, and Canada does have the best beer movie of all time "Strange Brew".

Brian

Good thread so far. Some good info on food and getting across the border. Good idea to get food in Campbell River rather than taking it across yourself. The border crossing can be a PITA so making it as simple as possible will make for a better trip.

Moutcha has quite a few bears. I had about a bear run off the road when driving up there last year and they frequented the site most nights although not very invasive. They are mostly black bears and as such pretty shy. No doubt it is pretty wild camping so taking steps to keep bears out of our site are a very good idea.

The 10 Commandments of Camping in Black Bear Country
To fully enjoy your camping or outdoor experience in Bear Country, the following "10 Commandments of Camping" must be observed to avoid problems with bears.

• Keep a clean camp. Food and all items that come in contact with food carry odors that bears find attractive.
• Thoroughly clean all utensils immediately after use. Never deposit food residues such as cooking grease in campfires.
• Place garbage where bears cannot smell or gain access to it, either in bear-proof containers or dumpsters. DON'T burn or bury garbage. Bears will dig it up.
• Do not eat or cook in your tent. Avoid storing food or attractants in tents, sleeping bags or backpacks. Suspend such items from trees when backpacking.
• Treat nonfood items such as gum, soap, toothpaste or deodorant as food. They are attractive to a bear's acute sense of smell.
• Immediately store food articles (including pet food, livestock feed and garbage) in airtight containers after every use. Coolers are not airtight, and bears often associate them with food. Secure coolers in a locked trunk or truck cab concealed from view
• Plan your meals. Generate as little food garbage as possible.
  
• Never attempt to feed a bear or any other wild animal.
• Never approach wildlife, especially black bears. They are dangerous.
• Keep your dog on a leash and clean up leftover food and scraps after your dog has finished eating.

Some more good tips on Black Bears here: http://mdc.mo.gov/landown/wild/nuisance/bear/

Z

Moutcha has quite a few bears. They are mostly black bears and as such pretty shy. No doubt it is pretty wild camping so taking steps to keep bears out of our site are a very good idea.

Z

I've been told many times that there are ONLY black bears on Vancouver island.  Over at Jim's resort, they seem to feel the need to come in to investigate the fish cleaning station.  We'll probably need to construct some rules about fish cleaning for our camp.  I'll bring it up on the "Moutcha planning" thread on the Canadian forum.

Myself, I'm feeling highly confident that if we deal properly with our fish and everybody deals properly with their food in camp, then we won't have any overly memorable encounters with our bear buddies.

Fishin-T

which points bring up the idea of "bear barrels"..barrels inteded to store food and things the critters love to raid for.. would they be available to rent or sign for on loan from a parks canada resource locally?

I find the back of T's car works well as a bear barrel ...   

That is unless they are habituated to cars having food in them.  Checking on that.

-Allen

I find the back of T's car works well as a bear barrel ...   

That is unless they are habituated to cars having food in them.  Checking on that.

-Allen

Just remember to hide your bacon under your pillow.    Stupid bears never think to look there.

Fishin-T

If you haven't signed up for Moutcha and are definitely planning on coming, can you please sign up.  This will help us with the planning and preparation.  Or at the very least, drop me a PM and let me know your intentions.  Thanks.

-Allen

Baring the miracle pronouncement from my wife.. "Hey let's go camping on Vancouver Island over Labor day,  and you should bring your kayak".. followed by me responding "hey, I know just the place".. I doubt I'll be able to make this this year.  Hopefully next year.

Brian

 Or at the very least, drop me a PM and let me know your intentions.  Thanks.

-Allen

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I have all fingers and toes crossed about this one- but as of yet can give no definitive answer.  I hope to be there.


Rob.