CROSSING OUR GREAT LAKES
- Helpful Hints to Help You Prepare for Your Great Lakes Crossing -
Crossing Our Great Lakes
Don't underestimate their vastness, beauty and unpredictability.
Don't underestimate their vastness, beauty and unpredictability.
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I am often asked, by those who are simply curious or by those considering crossing our Great Lakes, “What do you pack to eat?”
My meal plan has been perfected over the years, and seven Great Lakes crossings. I look for drinks and foods that:
Below is a picture that displays what items I have packed for tomorrow’s solo paddle across Lake Michigan. I find that it is critical to maintain a regular schedule for drinking, snacking, and eating to sustain my energy and to avoid dehydration, muscle cramping, and fatigue:
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DRINKS
SNACKS
MEALS
MEDICENE
Because of general tightness in my lower pack and discomfort in my left shoulder (quarter rotator cuff tear) I will take several ibuprofen just before I launch and about six hours later. This may not be a bad schedule for those not suffering from preexisting pain or discomfort, to preempt fatigue and possible pain on long journeys. Naturally, seek your physician's guidance on this.
SCHEDULE
Maintaining a schedule is essential. At times I may be fooled in feeling good (better than I should), due to an overcast day or cooling wind, or perhaps it’s early in the paddle, and think I can skip or delay a break to save on time. This has never worked out I end up paying for it with sudden exhaustion, muscle tightness general discomfort, or weakened focus.
- I supercharge my drinks with concentrated electrolytes (tablets and powder).
SNACKS
- Fruit: bananas, apples, and peach (seasonal fruit).
- Snacks: granola bars, protein bars, beef jerky, and a comfort food (chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookies).
MEALS
- Peanut butter jelly sandwiches.
- Snack.
- Drink.
MEDICENE
Because of general tightness in my lower pack and discomfort in my left shoulder (quarter rotator cuff tear) I will take several ibuprofen just before I launch and about six hours later. This may not be a bad schedule for those not suffering from preexisting pain or discomfort, to preempt fatigue and possible pain on long journeys. Naturally, seek your physician's guidance on this.
SCHEDULE
Maintaining a schedule is essential. At times I may be fooled in feeling good (better than I should), due to an overcast day or cooling wind, or perhaps it’s early in the paddle, and think I can skip or delay a break to save on time. This has never worked out I end up paying for it with sudden exhaustion, muscle tightness general discomfort, or weakened focus.
Be safe, be careful, and continued happy paddling!
Remember, when you commit to your Great Lake crossing make others aware and notify the US Coast Guard.
Remember, when you commit to your Great Lake crossing make others aware and notify the US Coast Guard.
To view highlights of my first six years paddling adventures, click here to view Northland Adventurer home page.
