Kayaking Trip Information

During an average day trip or multi day trip it is common to paddle for 2-3 hours before lunch and 2-3 hours after lunch. For a short day trip such as the Saltery Bay trip a minimum of 2 hours is spent in our kayaks.

Mostly yes. Please reach out with any questions before booking if you are wanting clarification. We will avoid bringing foods on trip that may cause higher risk allergic reactions. Please be specific with allergies vs preferences. Upon booking there is an extra change for certain food requirements. Please also share more specific information on the trip and medical form that will be included in your booking.

This will vary. Often our meeting location will have washrooms or pit toilets. Other times we may need to find privacy on or near a beach. Toilet paper and sanitizer is supplied. Guides will designate an area with privacy on arrival to a new beach for use. We use the area below the high tide whenever possible. This is both the most sanitary and respectful to the area and animals. Please inquire further at any time.

Gratuities are warmly welcomed post-trip as a meaningful way to show your appreciation and recognize the guide’s unique efforts in shaping the trip’s experience. If you had a fulfilling experience, we recommend a range of 5–15 percent of the trip cost as a thoughtful acknowledgment of their dedication to providing expertise, joy, safety, and comfort to you.

Wild Root Journeys provides tents for all participants. To ensure added comfort, we offer 2-person tents for solo travelers and 3-person tents for those sharing with a companion. We will ask for your preference regarding whether you’d like to share a tent with someone you’re traveling with or have a tent to yourself. In certain areas, such as National Parks, there may be a maximum tent capacity per group. For those traveling together, we may ask that you share a tent but typically find the numbers to work out and that this is not necessary. The benefit of sharing a tent is less gear to fit into the kayaks and extra hands to quickly assemble and tear down camp. If you would prefer to bring your own tent, please let us know via emaill and include the model and size!

Parking for your vehicles will be close to where we start our paddling trip from. Most locations offer either street parking or pay parking. Often the hotel you stay with the night before will also offer free parking and can hang onto some of your valuables for you. We will let you know during our pre-trip talk the evening before your trip where will work best!

We encourage refraining from using technology and kindly ask that cell phones not be visible to other participants, except when taking photos. This is because we deeply value this rare opportunity to feel fully disconnected. If you are experiencing a family or personal emergency, please notify the guide. Many areas we travel through may have no reception, but the guide will always carry a phone, marine radio, and satellite communication device to relay messages when necessary. These devices are primarily used for monitoring incoming weather and addressing emergencies.

These trips are often filled with a mix of single participants and those who travel in pairs or more. There is a bond created in our first evening of introductions and it can quickly feel like everyone is traveling as a single group rather than separate ones. So yes, singles are welcome!! There will be ample time at camp and while kayaking to flow between being social with others or choosing to have solo time.

Clothing options include:

• Non cotton/jean paddling clothes, layering is best. A thin shirt, long sleeve and light sweater is ideal for your top. Tights, light weight pants or thermal underwear and shorts are all great options for your bottoms.
• A change of clothing for post kayaking on colder days is nice, as clothing may be slightly damp thereafter.
• 1 pair of water shoes – will get wet. Most importantlly that they have grip and have ankle straps. I recommend runners, water shoes, Keen or Croc sandals. Closed toed shoes help against stubbing toes on rocks.
• Buff – for neck warmth and sun protection.
• Warm hat/beanie/toque – whatever you know it as! Wool or fleece ideally.
• Sun hat

Check out MEC for some good options

Other Items may Include:

• Sun glasses
• Sunscreen/insect repellent – please spray away from others, not on materials like tents, life jackets and paddle jackets as it leaves stains and ruins the material over time.
• Lip balm – ideally with 15 SPF or more.
• Wide mouthed water bottle – plastic 1L Nalgene is ideal. They float and do not scratch kayaks. It’s nice to have a carabiner clip attached.
• Electrolyte tablets – these have added vitamins and minerals which can be nice while exercising in the sun especially.
• Camera – small waterproof cameras are great. If you have a larger camera a hard case is a great way to keep it protected. Alternatively, a camera can be wrapped in a sweater and kept in a dry bag for protection.
• Small pair of binoculars
• Snacks

Your Multi Day Includes:

• Your guide and trip
• All kayaking gear and safety equipment including: kayak, paddle, spare paddle, pump, sponge, tow line, spray skirt
• Water Taxi if included
• Lifejacket
• Paddling jacket
• Camp chair
• Three dry bags for your personal belongings
• Tent
• All kitchen and fire gear
• All meals and snacks

Please ask about any extra rentals if needed 

Clothing should include:

• 1 pair of water shoes – can get wet and most importantly have grip. They need to have ankle straps. I recommend runners, water shoes, Keen or Croc sandals. Closed toed shoes help against stubbing toes on rocks.
• A pair of rubber boots are optional. Perks include your feet staying dry entering and exiting the kayaks. Downside they can flood if a wave fills them. They can also be bulky to wear in a kayak or to store.
• 1 pair of land shoes – runners or another light weight shoe is great.
• 2-4 warm socks
• 2 shorts
• 1-2 pants
• Underwear
• 1 thermal underwear – like the underlays you might wear skiing.
• 3-4 shirts – a mix of short and long sleeve
• 1 sweater – a light/medium weight sweater while on water
• Evening sweater or puffy coat
• Rain jacket
• Rain pants – not necessary but nice to have
• Paddling gloves and on land mitts for those with generally cold hands.
• Buff – for neck warmth and sun protection
• Warm hat/beanie/toque – whatever you know it as! Wool or fleece ideally.
• Sun hat
• Swimsuit – optional

Check out MEC for some good options

No cotton or jeans. These materials can cause rapid transfer of heat away from the body, and do not dry easily.
Wool, or synthetics such as fleece or polyester are better options.

Other Items may Include:

• Sun glasses
• Glasses/Contacts and Solution – consider a back-up if one becomes lost or broken
• Small towel
• Toiletries and menstrual products– biodegradable soaps please
• Baby wipes – for personal cleaning
• A few Band-Aids
• Sunscreen/insect repellent – please spray away from others, not on materials like tents, life jackets and paddle jackets as it leaves stains and ruins the material over time.
• Lip balm – ideally with 15 SPF or more.
• Personal medications – bring extra doses of medication if is critical to you. Separate and duplicate, keeping one set with a partner or guide. A trip can be cut short if there is not enough medication to keep a client safe.
• Wide mouthed water bottle – plastic 1L Nalgene is ideal. They float and do not scratch kayaks. It’s nice to have a carabiner clip attached.
• Electrolyte tablets – these have added vitamins and minerals which can be nice while exercising in the sun especially.
• Book – keep in a Ziplock bag
• Spirits – alcohol may be consumed after the days kayaking only. No glass bottles please.
• Camera – small waterproof cameras are great. If you have a larger camera a hard case is a great way to keep it protected. Alternatively, a camera can be wrapped in a sweater and kept in a dry bag for protection.
• Battery pack/cables
• Ziplock bags
• Headlamp/extra batteries
• Ear plugs – if others are sleeping deeply nearby.
• Camp pillow
• Small pair of binoculars
• Sleeping bag and a 15L max compression stuff sack – Rental option available upon booking. Includes a -10º sleeping bag and liner for 5$ a day.
• Sleeping pad – Rental option available upon booking. Includes a comfortable sleeping mat for 5$ a day.