Planning Your Trip

Food Planning 

This depends on what kind of trip you are doing. For an outpost trip you will have access to a fridge, freezer, stove, oven and BBQ, so you can bring fresh food in coolers to last for the whole trip.

Just remember that you are limited to 100 LBS of baggage each on the plane, which includes your food. Most people have quite a few meals of fish while they are there which reduces some of the food they need to bring in with them.

For a canoe trip most bring their own food. Many of them have done paddling trips before and know how to pack. Generally you can take fresh food for the first day or two, then whatever freeze dried or packaged foods you want after that. There is no can or bottle ban in Wabakimi as there is in many other parks, but remember you must pack out what you pack in. Many people bring along a variety of snacks such as granola bars, GORP, cheese and crackers or dried fruit.

Gear Planning 

For an outpost trip you need to provide all your own personal gear and food.

Personal gear includes clothing, bedding, towels, rain gear, fishing tackle, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, etc. There is a hot shower so you can bring soap and shampoo. The cabin comes equipped with pots and pans, utensils, BBQ, stove, oven, fridge, fuel (propane and gasoline), boats, motors, canoes, kayaks, PFD's, paddles, and safety equipment.

For a self outfitted canoe trip you will need to bring everything you need to live for the duration of your trip. 

Minimum gear should include a tent, sleeping bag and mat for each person, paddle and PFD for each person (extra paddle recommended), and food. In addition to this it is strongly recommended that you bring insect repellent, sunscreen, a tarp, an extra change of clothes, warm clothes, folding saw, camp stove and fuel, first aid kit, compass and maps for your entire route, any medication you need, water filter or purifier, sunglasses, hat, swim suit, an extra set of footwear (one to get wet and one to keep dry), satellite phone. Your important items (food, sleeping bag, warm clothes) at the very minimum should be in a
watertight pack.

All boats in Canada, including canoes, require the following to be legal:

• paddle for each person on board
 
• PFD for each person
 
• a whistle
 
• bailing device
 
• 50 feet of rope
 
• a light if you will be traveling at night.

We have gear available for rent if you require some or all items to outfit their trip.

Clothing 

For an outpost trip you'll want a swim suit, one or two changes of clothes, rain gear, pair of sneakers or hiking boots, hat. Remember that two smaller layers are warmer and more comfortable than one big bulky layer.

Canoeists should bring one extra change of clothes. Clothing should preferably be made from quick drying fabrics (i.e. fleece or polypro). Cotton garments like T-Shirts and jeans get heavy and take a very long time to dry when wet and therefore are not good in the bush. Try to bring a couple of smaller layers rather than one big layer. You will also need rain gear or windproof jacket. It can get cold at night in Wabakimi even in the summer, so make sure you have enough clothing to keep you warm for the coldest time you will be out of your sleeping bag. A PFD is not only mandatory on the water but it also helps keep you warm.

Weight Limits

Plane: (canoe or outpost trip): 100 lbs per person

Train:  outpost - almost unlimited, but remember you have to move it down a steep embankment to the water, then up to the cabin.

Canoe: whatever you are willing to portage! This is the limiting factor as there is plenty of room on the train.