Aside from constructing a tarp tent there’s another (and arguably more clever) way that a tarp and 30ft length of rope can turn out to be quite useful to the kayak camper; for constructing a Yukon-style portage pack! The Yukon pack, also known as a Hudson Bay Company Pack, makes use of basic camping materials to fashion a make-shift back pack. These packs are particularly useful and practical for short-hauling gear from the landing to the campsite and effectively eliminate the need to carry a formal portage pack amongst your kayak camping gear.

A quick Google search will turn up many inventive ways to construct a Yukon pack. After messing around with a few different techniques I’ve come up with my own take:

Yukon Pack Materials:

• 8×10 ft tarp or ground cloth (a larger tarp would work well too)
• 30ft of rope or parachute cord (a towline is about this long)
• Optional: 2x 18inch sections of pipe insulation wrapped with duct tape for shoulder straps.

Steps for Building a Yukon Pack:

Step 1: Organize and Pack Your Items

The comfort of the Yukon pack on your back has everything to do with how you organize your gear within the tarp. Start by laying the tarp flat on the ground and fold it in half. Then begin to pack your gear on top of the folded tarp. The gear should be concentrated near the center of the folded tarp such that the longest edge runs top to bottom.

The first layer to be packed should consist of the softest items of gear (sleeping bag, extra clothing, pillows, ect.) as these will act as padding against your back. Subsequent layers should be packed such that the heaviest items (pots and pans) are in the middle and that the weight is balanced from left to right. I’ve found that packing smaller items into dry bags can help to consolidate them within the Yukon pack.

Important note: Any items needed along the haul (water bottles, map, compass, ect.) should be left unpacked as it’s difficult to access items within the pack without fully disassembling it!

Step 2: Fold Your Yukon Pack

Once all of your items have been laid out on the tarp it’s time to wrap them up like a giant Pot Sticker! Fold the tarp up in the following order: left, right, bottom top. Make sure to fold the tarp tightly such that the gear doesn’t become loose and move around inside.

Step 3: Tie the Top Knot

The most complicated part of constructing a Yukon pack is tying the “top knot.” This knot is the key point of the wrap and will eventually support the arm straps. It took me a few tries to get this knot correct so I recommend practicing at home to save time and frustration in the backcountry!

Start by tying a figure 8 on a bight into one end of the rope or parachute cord. Wrap the rope around the tarp, feed it through the bight, and cinch it down to tighten. Then secure this knot by tying a double half-hitch with a bight (Bight #1) as shown in the Panel 1 of the image below.

To create the rest of “top knot” pull a second bight (Bight #2) through to the right of Bight #1 as shown in Panel 1. Twist Bight #2 one half turn as shown in Panel 2. Slip Bight #1 through Bight #2 as shown in Panel 3. Complete the top knot by pulling Bight #2 tight. Confused??? That’s, OK…I was too the first dozen times! Following the pictures should get you there eventually J

Step 4: Wrap Your Yukon Pack

Once the top knot is complete you’re ready to wrap up your Yukon pack! Start on the outside part of the pack (the side that doesn’t touch your back). Wrap the rope tightly around the pack and back through the loop that this creates as shown in Panel 1 below. Repeat this step 3-4 times as shown in Panel 2. This should be enough wraps to secure the pack.

Next, flip the pack over to compete the wrap on the inside part of the pack (the side that touches your back). This can be done by weaving a knot into each of the horizontal wraps as shown in Panel 3. Once this is complete, simply pull the excess rope through the top knot and secure the wrap with half-hitch or two as shown in Panel 4.

Step 5: Attach/ Create the Shoulder Straps

There are many ways to create straps for your Yukon pack. The easiest (and cheapest) way is to utilize the remaining length of rope from the wrap. I find that rope along really cuts into your shoulders especially when the pack is heavy or the haul is long. For this reason, I fashioned some cheap shoulder strap pads by wrapping two 18inch lengths of ½ inch pipe insulation in heavy-duty duct tape. I find that these home-made pads are comfortable, very light weight, and readily stowed in the kayak. Others have used old-belts or commercially available shoulder straps for a more comfortable carry.

To attach the shoulder straps simply thread the excess rope from the top-knot through the shoulder strap and secure to the lowest wrap with an overhand knot as shown in the image below. Run the rope along the lowest wrap to the opposite side of the pack and tie a second overhand knot. Feed the rope through the second strap and secure to the top knot with a few half hitches. You can either stuff any excess rope away if the load is light or use it to fashion a waist strap if the load is heavy.

Check out these excellent videos on How to Build a Yukon Pack: Video #1 and Video #2

Tips and Tricks:

• Take care in packing such that soft items are against your back and the weight within the pack is evenly distributed side-to-side.
• Use a dry bag to further waterproof and contain your small items within the pack.
• Leave items that you may need on the haul out of the pack as it’s hard to get at items inside the pack without completely unwrapping it.
• A blanket may be used in place of the tarp although it will be less waterproof.
• Wrap the pack tightly and at least 3-4 times for maximum security.
• Use pipe insulation as a low-cost option for shoulder strap paddling.
• Keep the load light for maximum comfort on long-distance hauls.
• Practice constructing Yukon packs before entering the backcountry.

Yukon Pack vs. Other Portage Packs:

Pros:

• You don’t have to carry the extra weight of a backpack amongst your gear.
• The Yukon pack materials can double to make a tarp shelter.
• They are much less expensive than most portage packs on the market.

Cons:

• It can be a real pain to get into a Yukon pack without taking it apart.
• They can take a considerable amount of time to build
• They may be less comfortable to carry depending on the construction method used.

I hope that you find this tutorial interesting and helpful in your future Yukon Pack-building endeavors. I’m certainly looking forward to my next “All Yukon Pack” adventure and I hope that you’ll try this sometime too!

Happy Portaging!

-Kayak Dave

What if I told you that all you needed to carry in your kayak to build a shelter was am 8x10ft tarp, about 30 feet of rope or cord, and maybe that two piece paddle that got you to your cast-away campsite? Better yet, what if I told you that these basic shelter supplies cost under $10.00 at your local hardware store? This magical haven that I speak of isn’t a fish tale…it’s a tarp tent!

Tarp tents make for a great shelter because they’re simple, versatile, light-weight and can be ultra-low cost. Literally all you need is a tarp, some rope, and two trees (or paddle halves) to pitch it between! The thing that should jump out to a kayak camper is that most of what you need to build a tarp tent (the rope and maybe a paddle) is already on board. The addition of a tarp to your standard gear shouldn’t add much weight (1-2lb) or impact your wallet. From there, pitching the tarp tent is mostly a matter of imagination and necessity. In this post, I’ll show you a couple of basic tarp tent configurations and provide some tips to set you on your way:

Basic Tarp Tent Materials:

Tarp tents are constructed of lightweight and inexpensive materials

• 8×10 ft tarp (this size is “comfy” for two people)
• 30ft of rope or parachute cord (a towline is about this long)
• 2 supports (these can be two trees, two paddle halves, or a combination of a tree and paddle)
• 4-6 tent stakes (these can be store-bought or constructed of sticks or rocks)

Tarp Tent Configurations:

There are literally dozens of ways to pitch a tarp tent. Here we’ll focus on the usefulness and construction strategies associated with some of the more common designs including: the A-frame, the Lean-to, and the Over-kayak.

The A-Frame:

The A-frame configuration is a sturdy design that offers warmth and protection from the elements. The benefits of this design are well worth the additional time that it takes to set up, especially if poor weather (lots of rain) is in the forecast or you plan to stay a camp for a few days.

A-frame shelter using two trees

The easiest way to set up an A-frame tarp-tent is by pitching it between two sturdy trees that stand 12-15 feet apart. Start by stringing the rope between the two trees to create the ridge line. This can be accomplished by girth hitching one end of the rope about 4 feet up from the base of the first tree. From there, span the gap and tie a trucker’s hitch about 4 feet up from the base of the second tree. Pull the line taught and secure with a half-hitch. Next, lay the tarp over the ridge line such that the 8ft length is parallel to the line. Use short parachute cord ties (about 1ft long) to secure the center grommets to the ridge line. Finally, stake out the ends of the tarp to create the “A” shape.

A-frame shelter using a kayak paddle for support

Don’t fret if there are no trees on your cast-away island; you have all that you need to make some poles in your trusty, two-piece paddle! Using paddles takes a bit longer to set-up as you’ll need to create two tripods to string the ridge-line between. A tripod consists of two stakes, a 10 foot-long piece of parachute cord, and half of a two-piece paddle. To build a tripod start by tying bowline knots into both ends of the 10 foot length of parachute cord. Next, stake the two ends of the parachute about 3-4 feet apart. Find the center of the parachute cord and wrap this around the ferrule on the paddle shaft. Lift the paddle-half to create tension and the desired tripod. Build a second tripod about 12 feet away. String the ridge-line between the apex of these two tripods and complete the A-frame as usual! Here’s a handy chart provides the dimensions of you’re a-frame based on the length of your paddle and assuming that you’re using an 8x10ft tarp:

The Lean-to:

The Lean-to configuration serves as an excellent alternative to the A-frame structure by offering a bit more head room and versatility. This structure provides protection from the wind on one side while leaving the opposite side open to your campsite. A campfire and reflector to be built a close (but safe) distance away from the open side such that the heat can be reflected back into the shelter to warm its occupants. The lean-to is best used when camping in descent weather or in cooler temperatures where the warmth of a fire may be necessary. It’s also useful as a day-time shelter from the sun.

Lean-to shelters provide an excellent wind break

Like the A-frame configuration, the Lean-to is most easily pitched between two sturdy trees that stand 12-15 feet apart. Start by stringing the rope between the two trees to create the ridge line about 5-6 feet off of the ground. Girth hitch one end of the rope to the first tree, span the gap between the trees, and tie a trucker’s hitch to the second tree. Pull the line taught and secure with a half-hitch. Next, lay the tarp over the ridge line such that the 8ft length is parallel to the line. About 2/3-3/4 of the tarp should fall on the side facing the wind to create the back of the shelter. Stake out the back wall of the shelter using rocks, sticks, or stakes. Now move to the front of the shelter to create an awning with the left over tarp. Tie 6ft lengths of parachute cord to the corner grommets and stake out to create a small awning on the front of the shelter. A taught-line hitch may be useful to tighten the guy-lines on the awning. Finally, use short parachute cord ties (about 1ft long) to secure the tarp to the ridge line to keep it from shifting.

Note: The ridge line may be lowered to provide more protection from inclement weather.

The Over-Kayak:

The “Over-Kayak” configuration is probably the simplest and fastest tarp shelter to construct. All you need is your kayak, a tarp, and a few rocks collected from the beach to build this bivy-like structure. The Over-Kayak shelter makes for some tight quarters but its low-profile is great for deflecting the wind and keeping you warm. It’s best reserved for emergency situations or a quick overnight when you don’t want to spend time building a more elaborate structure.

To construct the over-shelter, start by laying the tarp flat on the ground. Then place your kayak along one of the 8ft long sides of the tarp to hold it down. For maximum head room consider placing the kayak upside down or on edge. Pull the other end of the tarp over the kayak and secure the loose end to the ground with rocks or stakes. The shelter space can be adjusted by folding excess tarp under to serve as a “ground tarp”. Special consideration should be given to the wind direction such that the kayak serves as a wind block.

Tips and Tricks:

• Utilize trees as your vertical supports if they’re available. It can be difficult to set up a tarp tent using paddles if you’re on your own or if it’s windy.
• Consider the direction of the wind when pitching your tarp tent. Pitch the tarp tent such that the wind hits the walls and not the entrances.
• Consider your site selection carefully. Avoid pitching your tarp tent in areas that may become flooded during a passing storm. Also, always inspect the tree canopy above your site for hanging limbs which may fall down in the wind.
• Never store food in your tarp tent. Food will attract uninvited guests and there’s not much keeping them out of a tarp tent!
• Consider bringing a second tarp to serve as a ground cloth.
• Practice makes perfect. Spend some time building various tarp tents in your local park on a nice day so that you’re confident in your designs when you enter the back country.

Commercially Available Tarp Tents:

There are a number of tarp tents available on the market these days. Commercially available tarp tents are typically constructed of better materials that are more lightweight, durable, and waterproof than the standard $10 tarp. They also may have more lash-down points and may be cut into a more useful shape such as a hexagon. The obvious downside is that these shelters carry a price tag (>$100.00) that’s equivalent to most mid-grade, 3-season tents. Here are a few tarp tents that I’ve looked into along with links to some great reviews:

• Equinox Egret Tarp Tent… Product Page. Independent Review.
• MSR Ewing Tarp Tent… Product Page. Independent Review.
• Integral Designs Sil Tarp 2… Product Page. Independent Review.

I hope that you enjoyed this post and will consider trying out a tarp tent on your next kayak camping adventure. Be sure to check back for many more kayak camping tips and gear reviews in future!

-Kayak Dave