I’m doing all the same stuff in my head now. I’m waiting for warmer weather to spread out the gear in my garage, although I’ll probably set up my new tent in the living room soon. It looks like my trip in the 1st week of June will be a solo, so I’m trying to decide:  kayak or canoe. One day I’m sure it will be the canoe and then the next I’m thinking I should take the kayak.

The kayak is a lot faster on the water but slower on the portage due to unpacking and repacking the hatch, which BTW I do in my head every day. It is fun to paddle and will handle rough water and wind much better. The canoe will carry a lot more gear so I don’t have to make the tough decisions about what to leave behind…and it is easier to fish from.

I usually start preparing by mapping routes and campsites then making a list of food and gear. I accumulate a big pile of gear on a table in my garage. Then I cull the gear by deciding what I can do without and what gear can do double duty, and what I need to replace. Sorting and replacing fishing tackle is a whole separate task. If am going with my wife or sons then I need to add some gear I know they will forget.  I will pack it all up once I have purchased food and any new gear I think I NEED, to make sure I can still carry everything on a double portage, or to make sure it will fit in the hatch of my kayak.

For me, the preparation and planning is a large part of the enjoyment and satisfaction.