my kayak, and what to do...

**HangingKayaker** · 04-27-2011, 13:37

With it?
I'm planning on a 3 day kayak trip to the far end (22km) of Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park this summer. This is very much bear country along with other critters as well. There is an 8 spot campground there and I want to spend 2 nights there so I can do a bit of hiking as well.
My question is what to do with my kayak when I'm not around or sleeping? I've never done an overnighter with it and am not so much concerned about people as I am with wildlife.
My thinking is to pull it far enough on shore that I can secure it to a tree. Obviously I won't leave anything in it that would attract a bear (I'll use bear caches) but is this all I really need to do?
Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

**Randy** · 04-27-2011, 13:44

When camp out on our Texas beaches we either lock them up with a chain and lock or keep them next to where we sleep.
I would not think of leavimg my ride unattended......the animals wont eat the plastic but peoples sure will want to re-appropoate it.......

**ganon414** · 04-27-2011, 13:45

good question! i will be intrigued at the others' responses. my kayaking overnighters are usually on rivers in northern wisconsin, and the boats are left unattended only during the night. though we do have plenty of black bears, i hadn't really considered one of them might fool around with my boat!

like you mentioned, i would think fastening to a tree and removing any attractants would do you quite well.

**olzeke** · 04-27-2011, 14:09

One precaution I would take is to take your paddle with you, or at least hide it in a completely different area. While it is possible to steal a kayak without a paddle, why make it any easier on the 2 legged animals?

If it was truly only the critters you were worried about, I have have been known to anchor my kayak out in the lake a bit to discourage critters. I have also submerged my food in a sealed bucket to keep it from critters. Everything we do to keep wild animals wild, is a good thing.

I have no particular knowledge of the Jasper area, but would think 4 legged critters would be your main concern.

**Randy** · 04-27-2011, 14:10

I cant speak on bears.. but gators and hogs normally wont eat on your stuff....it will be interesting to hear what the bears do....

**mbiraman** · 04-27-2011, 14:20

I don't think you have to worry about animals any time, anywhere, as long as no food is in it , raccoons being real pests at some places.
PEOPLE,,,well that's another thing. At the back end of Maligne Lake your probably ok for a day hike, , but i wouldn't leave your boat on the roof rack around town unattended for very long. Kayaks generally go missing where there's a road near by for the get-a-way,,,,and it doesn't matter if its locked. People get kayak's stolen right off their vehicles in public places. Just yesterday a woman i know told me of her Carbon Tempest being stolen off her vehicle while she was at a beach a few hundred yrds away. It doesn't happen allot but hurts when it does. A nice looking boat like yours,!4' Delta, is an eye catcher. You don't have to be paranoid about it but be careful. At camp sleeping , don't worry. Just pull it up away from shore . If you go to the west coast you have to be aware of tides. Maligne,,a beautiful spot,,haven't been there for a long time,,canoed part of it in the early seventies.

**TZBrown** · 04-27-2011, 14:22

Originally Posted by olzeke

One precaution I would take is to take your paddle with you, or at least hide it in a completely different area.

+1 on protect your paddle.

In Michigan we have rodents and other animals that love salt, and the handle or grips on paddles are sought after.

On Isle Royale, we have moose, and it is recomended to not leave your canoe or kayak lying flat. Stand them up in a tree so they cannot be stepped in and holed by moose.

TZ