The Shakedown: Essential River Trekking Kit
In The Shakedown, we take a look at the essential kit used by the adventurers in the BASE community. In Tyne Traveller, from issue 07, Fenwick Ridley told the tales of his up-river trekking adventures on the South and North Tyne, now he shares with us his essential river trekking kit list.
The North and South Tyne are very different rivers which required different equipment setups. So I soon learned to adapt my setup daily as the river conditions changed and to make transitioning from walking to swimming and back again easier.
On the North Tyne I just had my gear in a drybag on top of the raft. When I had to walk, I basically just put it on my shoulders until I was swimming again but it was fairly tough going. When I started the South Tyne, I knew there would be more walking and falling, so I opted for a really tough waterproof rucksack that could attach to the ruckraft. The transition between swimming and walking was much easier, I could just drop the bag off my back into the water.
I started off wearing neoprene dive boots with thick soles. They worked great for small amounts of river trekking but I went through three pairs in two rivers. By this point, I was pretty invested into the concept and so opted to drill small drainage holes into an expensive pair of boots. Since then though, I’ve found these amazing wading boots from Taimen. They’re super strong, light but thick with drainage holes. I wear those with 4mm neoprene socks.
© Fenwick Ridley
But that’s only reason any one should ever swim with a knife. That is, except Crocodile Dundee of course
A really important part of my equipment is my knife, especially when towing a raft. I actually hang around my neck so it’s super accessible. With the raft, there’s always the possibility of it getting snagged and it could trap me. But that’s only reason any one should ever swim with a knife. That is, except Crocodile Dundee of course.
Drinking directly out of the river through a filter straw became the norm after going through my carry water the first day and realising I was just carrying too much. That little straw is a lifesaver.
Eventually though, I realised that one of my biggest tools was the power of oats. I started making these, oat balls and they had all sorts in them, loads of different seeds, nuts, dates peanut butter, the whole shebang. That was definitely one of my biggest power tools for river trekking.
It is important to say, we do need to prepare and we do need to do our homework and research the river properly. If you know a river quite well, maybe you’ve paddled it, or you’ve spent a lot of time down there having picnics, that’s golden. Maybe next time, get yourself, some wetsuit boots or even some trainers. Why not do what I did and drill a few holes in the sides. Normal socks tend to hold a lot of water, so get some neoprene socks and get yourself in the water. Have a little walk, and make sure you have a walking stick or something to help you if you start falling over.
© Fenwick Ridley
1. HOMEMADE HAZEL WOOD WALKING STICK
My dad knocked that up for us and put a little hole in it. That little strap is for clipping onto my belt. So it’s easy access from walking to swimming.
2. TAIMEN ONON WADING BOOTS
Those are amazing boots. Super strong, light and thick. They’ve got the drainage holes. There I’ve got my neoprene socks tucked in too, which are 4mm. We need a premier sock for that extra comfort
3. TYR SWIM PADDLES
The dinner plates, these are super important for the extra strength going against the flow. Absolute monsters, but with the burn they were a real torture chamber delivery system.
4. RED WATERPROOF DRY POUCH
That little pouch is also a lifesaver. I never trust waterproof, because you know, everything decays and everything eventually lets the war in And so my phone goes inside the pouch inside the bag.
5. ZONE 3 SWIM GOGGLES
Super useful bit of kit for river trekking.
6. PALM FOLDING KNIFE
For ease of access, I have this tucked close to my chest. It’s a special knife, a bit like a little saw.
7. 2XPLORE WATER STRAW
This is my drinking filter. That little straw was a lifesaver. I take a small amount of water in my backpack and then once that’s finished, I’ll start drinking out of the river.
8. QUICK RELEASE BELT
This has my raft attached as well as my hand paddles and my stick for when I need to grab them.
9. ABOVE – BELOW RUCKRAFT
This is a specially designed adventure float, to make traveling across water and then continuing the adventure possible. This is a very important bit of kit.
10. YETI PANGA
This bag is a fully waterproof, completely submersible. It’s very, very tough. Really thick, but very light. It can take some absolute beatings!
BASE RECOMMENDS:
VOITED DRYCOAT
Perfect for sticking straight on wherever you are and whatever the weather. Long sleeved and oversized, the versatile dry coat acts as a changing robe and an insulated waterproof shelter.
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