Packing List

Butterfly Tours 8-day Packing List

This is a list of all the recommended items to pack on your 8-day Expedition through Gwaii Haanas.

Guests will be provided with two seal-line drybags (20L & 10L) that offer 30L of space to pack all your items. Water bottles, sleeping bags, and shoes do not need to fit inside these dry bags.

In addition, we will provide a 5L dry bag for gear like your cellphone, camera, sunscreen, hat, gloves, etc., that you can access on the water. Unfortunately, butterfly tours do not provide a sleeping bag, compression sac, or rain gear. (Rentals may be available if ordered in advance).

Butterfly tours provides the following: Tent, drybags, and paddling equipment (PFD, paddle, skirt, safety equipment, kayak).

Foot & Hand Gear

• 1 pair supportive medium-weight fabric/leather trail boots with good traction soles, for wearing on shore
• 1 pair neoprene booties with thick soles, for wearing in the kayak
• 2 to 3 pairs warm socks, wool or synthetic
• 1 to 2 pairs light-weight synthetic liner-socks (please do not bring cotton socks)
• 1 pair neoprene "grip-palm" paddling gloves with curved fingers (these are optional)
  • (Appropriate socks and boots will make a big difference to your trip)

Lower Body Clothing

• 1 pair shorts, fast drying synthetic is best
• 1 pair warm long pants, wool or synthetic
• 1 pair lightweight long pants, fast drying synthetic
• 1 pair rain pants, waterproof coated nylon or Gore-Tex, etc.
• 4 to 6 pairs underwear, synthetic or wool (see online resource)
• 1 pair long johns, synthetic or wool (not cotton)

Upper Body Clothing

• 1 lightweight merino wool t-shirt
• 1 light-weight long-sleeved UV protective sun shirt
• 1 or 2 light-weight long-sleeved wool or synthetic undershirts
• 1 medium-weight long-sleeved wool or synthetic shirt
• 1 warm heavy-weight wool or synthetic shirt
• 2 sweaters or jackets, synthetic or wool
• 1 vest, synthetic or wool
• 1 neck gaiter or scarf, wool or synthetic
• 1 waterproof paddling jacket or a quality rain jacket with sleeves capable of closing tightly
  • (see the online resource for detailed information on paddling jackets & rain jackets)
• Women: sport bra, synthetic or merino wool (not cotton)
• Head Gear
• 1 sun hat with firm, windproof brim - adjustable for snug fit and with a chin-strap
• 1 warm hat - a synthetic or wool warm hat is required
• 1 synthetic or wool balaclava, or ski mask (extremely practical; small, light & warm, please bring one!)
• 1 sou'wester rain hat (to fit over warm hat) or a hood on your rain jacket
• 1 cotton bandana or handkerchief
• Merino wool and synthetic clothing materials are highly recommended.
• Down and cotton insulate extremely poorly when wet and dry very slowly.
• Wool insulates well when wet, although wool dries fairly slowly.
• Synthetic materials insulate well when wet and dry quickly.

Required Equipment

• 1 medium-weight 100% synthetic sleeping bag (do not bring a down-filled, or cotton-lined sleeping bag)
• 1 sleeping pad (Thermarest, or closed-cell foam)
• 1 sturdy frame-less day pack, capable of compressing very small when empty (for day-hikes)
• 1 or 2 water bottles - approximately one litre capacity each
• 1 headlamp with extra batteries
• 3-4 5-10L small stuff sacs and garbage bags to waterproof all your gear. (No more than 40L total) – No bigger than 20L dry bags
• 6 spare empty garbage bags and 3 spare empty small nylon stuff sacs - for reorganizing your gear
  • (large garbage bags are ok - the garden-size bags are too large, kitchen bags are too small)
• several medium and large size ziplock freezer bags (very useful)
• small quick-drying camp towel, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
• sun block lotion & lip protection, SPF 15 or more (waterproof)
• insect repellent
• sunglasses - 100% UVA & UVB protection (eyeglasses should be secured with a head/neck strap)
• pocket knife, lighter and whistle with lanyard (keep whistle with you at all times when on shore)
• contingency funds - please bring approximately $450 cash and a credit card
• 1 large duffel bag to carry all of your gear (see the online resource for details)
• (duffel bag must fit through kayak hatch when empty - mesh duffel bags are often the most compressible)
• Women: extra tampons and/or sanitary napkins (increased activity may cause irregular menses)
• Contact lens wearers: lens cleaning & storage facilities plus spare eyeglasses with head/neck strap
• Diabetics: glucometer in a waterproof case, glucagon emergency kit and an extra supply of insulin

Optional Equipment

• 1 waterproof compression dry sack (very useful if you have a large sleeping bag, or lots of gear)
• Gore-Tex oversocks (very useful in wet weather)
• 1 “fuzzy rubber” skull cap (highly recommended if you tend to feel cold during wet & windy weather)
• 1 pair light-weight wool or synthetic gloves
• thick knee pads (useful for fitting small people into kayaks and kneeling beside boats while loading gear)
• neoprene elbow braces (for quick insulation and joint support)
• camera with spare batteries & extra memory card - in waterproof case; please consider insurance
• binoculars - in waterproof case; please consider insurance
• compass, chart case and laminated charts (see the online resource for information and chart numbers)
• journal, playing cards, books or e-reader (see the online resource for suggested reading material)
• 1 roll of toilet paper (see the online resource for a brief description of the “global technique”)
• Handi-Wipes or other moist towelettes for personal hygiene
• bug-jacket or insect-netting headgear (bugs are rarely a problem on Haida Gwaii)
• swimsuit
• earplugs (some people sleep better with earplugs)
• 15 meters (50 feet) light utility cord (this is string, not thick rope - it's for general use; clothes-lines etc.)
• 25 lb. fishing line and several "Buzz Bomb" lures (fishing rods not recommended - see online resource)
• Tidal waters fishing license - available online: dfo-mpo.gc.ca
• waterproof marker for labeling bags
• small roll-top dry bags (to substitute for stuff sacs and garbage bags)
• favorite goodies or alcohol to share during the trip (perhaps a wine carton to keep in Rose Harbour for the last night)
• Conserve space; use collapsible containers like Dromedary bags or wine skins
• ski goggles (some people prefer to wear goggles on the speedboat)

Please also see Packing for a Kayak Trip for more information.