On a typical Upper Missouri River trip,
you're going to be paddling an average of 12-15 miles per day. The quality
of the canoe that you're paddling makes a phenomenal difference in
comfort, safety, and energy expenditure. We are proud to offer the finest canoes
available on Montana's Upper Missouri River. We are the only outfitter and
guide service using high-tech Wenonah canoes
constructed of fiberglass and Kevlar.
These canoes provide exceedingly high levels of comfort, safety, and
performance.
Wenonah canoes are hand-built in the USA in Minnesota and are widely recognized as the best canoes available. They are simply in a totally different league from the plastic and aluminum canoes that are commonly used on the Upper Missouri.
Perhaps the most important quality of our
Wenonah canoes is what is referred to as "paddling efficiency".
The combination of lightweight materials and quality design make
these canoes travel much further for each paddle stroke. An average day on
the Upper Missouri involves a 12-15 mile paddling distance, at
approximately 500 paddle strokes per mile. An efficient canoe makes a
huge difference in the amount of energy expended in a day of paddling.
Another quality of our Wenonah canoes is
their degree of "seaworthiness", which is an important safety
feature. Our canoes will
do a superior job of riding through choppy water
without capsizing. Although the Upper Missouri is a calm, Class One river,
winds can sometimes make for less than calm conditions, and a seaworthy
canoe will get you through such conditions easily.
"Stability" refers to a
canoe's characteristic to resist tipping sideways. Building stability into
a canoe requires subtle design 
elements to be constructed into the hull's
cross-section. Our hand-built Wenonah canoes possess much higher stability
than mass-produced aluminum and
plastic canoes.
Finally, our Wenonah canoes are
characterized by having large "capacity". This means that they
are capable of carrying people and generous amounts of gear without being
overloaded. Most Upper Missouri River outfitters use 16 and 17
foot canoes. Our shortest canoes
are 18 feet long, providing
plenty of room for your gear, generous legroom, and room for small
children who are traveling in the same canoe with their parents. Some of
our other canoe models are 19 feet long, and our Minnesota IV - a four
seater, is 23 feet long, an excellent choice for families with paddling
with kids.
Our canoes are outfitted with many extra comfort features: padded bucket seats, backrests to support the lumbar region of the spine, and sliding seats which can be adjusted for comfort.
Paddles
The paddles that we use on our guided
trips are unique. They are constructed of carbon fiber, which is an
amazing material characterized by exceptional strength and light weight.
These paddles are hand build in upstate New York by Zaveral Racing
Equipment. They weigh 12 ounces each, and retail
for $150. A typical wooden, plastic, or metal
paddle will weigh 2-4 times more!
At 5oo paddle strokes per mile, and 2000
strokes per hour, these high-tech, lightweight paddles virtually eliminate upper body fatigue. We
offer these paddles to all of our clients on our guided trips. Once you've used one of these paddles its very difficult to
go
back to a heavier model.
Tents
Our tents are manufactured by Sierra Designs, a long established manufactured of quality camping gear. They are comfortable and storm-worthy and will keep you well protected during adverse conditions. Our tents are rated as 3-person tents, but we do not recommend more than two persons per tent. For individuals who prefer the privacy of having their own tent, we will gladly provide you with that option.
Mattresses
We provide Therma-Rest self-inflating air mattresses that are manufactured in Seattle by Cascade Designs. These top-of-the line mattresses provide a firm, cushioned sleeping platform to help in getting a restful nights sleep, and they also can be used for relaxing in camp, for reading, and for stretching.
Dry Bags
On a wilderness float trip
such as the Upper Missouri it is essential that your gear stay dry.
Rainstorms,
and the unlikely possibility of a canoe capsizing, can soak
gear and make for an uncomfortable experience.
We provide high-quality, dependable dry bags manufactured by Cascade
Designs in Seattle, for storing all of your gear. Large dry bags hold your
sleeping bag and clothing, and smaller dry bags can be used for easy
access to items such as cameras, binoculars, sunscreen, and clothing for
use while paddling on the river.
Camp Tables and Chairs
Our camp
tables and chairs are manufactured in Spokane, Washington by 
Camp Time. They have engineered a unique line of products
that are lightweight and extremely functional. The chairs have backrests to maximize comfort. For some of our meals we have sit-down dining at
our tables, while for other meals we sit around the campfire circle with
food served smorgasbord style.
Other Equipment We Supply
In addition to the above equipment, we also supply the following on our guided trips:
Complete
Camp Kitchen
Comfortable Life Jackets
First Aid Kit
Drinking Water
Flashlights
Equipment That You Should Supply for Yourself
Rain Gear - which should be of good
quality to keep you dry in the event of a storm. We recommend Gore-Tex or
rubberized nylon, both a jacket and pants. Ponchos are a poor choice. We
can provide raingear if you need it.
Sleeping Bag - during the summer a light weight bag is sufficient, with nighttime temperatures in the 40's and 50's.
River shoes - Your feet will be getting wet getting in and out of the canoes. Bring along a pair of river sandals, river sneakers, or even an old pair of tennis shoes.
Hiking shoes - of light to medium weight for our off river hiking and for wearing in camp.
Warm fleece jacket or wool sweater
Sox, shirts, jeans
Shorts and t-shirts
Personal Hygiene Kit
Insect Repellent
Sunblocking long-sleeved shirt and long pants for protection from excessive sun
Sunscreen lotion - we recommend very high SPF factor (25-50)
First Aid kit
Sunglasses
Gloves - to protect hands from paddling blisters
Drinking water bottle - at least 1 liter in size
Hat with a wide brim
Camera
Binoculars
Nature Guide Books