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<b>Have you ever thought about leaving it all behind? And just going out into nature, all by yourself or with friends in the wilderness? With a small boat and no plan? I'll explain to you here what you should have with you - real practical tips after a dozen tours in </b><a href="https://travelfeed.io/@koenau/the-real-river-of-death-devil-s-trees-and-a-hot-witch">different countries</a><b> and one dangerous&nbsp;<a href="https://travelfeed.io/@koenau/the-last-jungle-of-europe-paddling-with-the-pope">rivers</a>.&nbsp;</b>

<figure><img alt="Some things are important when you are outside: fires the most" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-433-things-you-need-to-survive-29-jpg" width="4608" height="2592" /><figcaption>Some things are important when you are outside: fires the most</figcaption></figure>

 For days, even weeks, away from civilization, outside, exposed to the weather, under the sun at best, but at worst in constant rain. If you go out into nature, in a small boat, cut off from civilization, you have to prepare well to be ready for any eventuality. You can capsize, you can get stranded. You can end up in a place you don't want to be. The right gear is your life insurance, because it helps you survive bad conditions that you never thought could exist before.

<figure><img alt="A tent is your insurance" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-587-things-you-need-to-survive-8-jpg" width="5184" height="3888" /><figcaption>A tent is your insurance</figcaption></figure>

After all, it's summer, you're out on a river that's sometimes not much wider than your garage. But horror lurks everywhere: only when you have left the last houses behind you do you realize how dependent modern man is on the many comfortable facilities of the modern world. Out here in the woods and meadows there are no taps, no washing machines, no waiters, no beds. At night it is sometimes darker than outside, as it used to be called in Germany. And during the day it pours without stopping in the evening.

<figure><img alt="But you’re always needing luck with the weather" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-185-things-you-need-to-survive-6-jpg" width="4896" height="3672" /><figcaption>But you're always needing luck with the weather</figcaption></figure>

<h2>It should be fun, ever</h2>

You are responsible for making sure that all this is still fun. When we went on our first paddling trips, we did it like real city kids. We had a tent that wasn't tight. We had mattresses that were huge. We had some cookware and a stove that turned out to be ineffectual. We were traveling in the summer, so we thought beforehand, it's going to be warm, what's going to happen. 

<figure><img alt="A canoe is like a moving truck, everything always fits in it" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-983-things-you-need-to-survive-31-jpg" width="4000" height="2248" /><figcaption>A canoe is like a moving truck, everything always fits in it</figcaption></figure>

No sooner had we paddled out onto a Swedish lake for an hour than the sky broke over us. We fled to a nearby island, soaking wet. And had to hold out there for two full days before it got a little brighter again and we could continue.

<figure><img alt="Water proof bags are important too" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-476-things-you-need-to-survive-7-jpg" width="4032" height="3024" /><figcaption>Water proof bags are important too</figcaption></figure>

Be prepared for something like this. Canoes, which are our favorite travel companions for this very reason, have enough storage space to pack everything needed just in case, even if it doesn't happen. Often there is no chance to buy anything on the road. It is true that during the day you can drink the water that you draw in lakes - preferably from the middle. But who wants to sit by a fire in the evening and suck on a cup of water?

<figure><img alt="Like the axe" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-246-things-you-need-to-survive-9-jpg" width="4618" height="3464" /><figcaption>Like the axe</figcaption></figure>

<h2>You need wood</h2>

About fire. In Poland you are allowed to light fires, in Sweden too, but not in Germany. So you need wood. And to make it suitable, an huge axe is indispensable. In addition a small axe and a saw, we are always in the group on the way, there distributes itself everything on several boats. In the luggage belongs of course also - real survivalists turn away with horror - tinder, which makes the kindling possible also in the pouring rain. 

<figure><img alt="This is all you really need" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-537-things-you-need-to-survive-1-jpg" width="4032" height="3024" /><figcaption>This is all you really need</figcaption></figure>

Just then you really want to have a fire, but when everything is wet.... So pack wax-soaked shavings, a candle, some spirit. There is no such thing as wet wood, everything burns. If you can set it to flames enough. And there's no one out here looking at you stupidly because the pure teaching would be a fire steel and some tinder.

<figure><img alt="And it all fits in one of these boats" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-536-things-you-need-to-survive-18-jpg" width="4618" height="3464" /><figcaption>And it all fits in one of these boats</figcaption></figure>

If you have fire, you can cook, you don't need an extra stove now. But a pot and preferably a tripod to hang it safely over the flames. This can also be replaced by a wooden construction from wild wood. But you have to assemble it every day - so it's better to use a steel frame that is guaranteed not to collapse.

<figure><img alt="Bon appetit with the cauldron" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-709-things-you-need-to-survive-4-jpg" width="4618" height="3464" /><figcaption>Bon appetit with the cauldron</figcaption></figure>

<h2>Take waterproof bags</h2>

Supplies for every adventurer are put together on a daily basis. Everybody knows what he needs, everything comes together in a big box, preferably a waterproof one. Even better are waterproof bags with roll closure, because they are more flexible and do not take up so much space in the boat. A three-person canoe, occupied by two people, is actually a moving van: In the middle, six bags with tent, sleeping bags, food and everything else fit easily. In the front and in the back there is more space for water bottles, guitars, axe, tripod and - very important - rain gear, which is ready to hand when the storm comes and you are in the middle of a big lake.

<figure><img alt="With a sail you can save paddling" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-058-things-you-need-to-survive-15-jpg" width="4896" height="2825" /><figcaption>With a sail you can save paddling</figcaption></figure>

The tent does not have to be large, as mats there are now thin special parts that weigh no more than a shoe. Speaking of shoes: Anyone who thinks they are well equipped with so-called water shoes is making a fatal mistake. These things get wet quickly, but dry very slowly. 

<figure><img alt="A tarp helps with drying" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-392-things-you-need-to-survive-35-jpg" width="3648" height="2736" /><figcaption>A tarp helps with drying</figcaption></figure>

This makes the feet cold, icy cold, even more so if the canoe is one than aluminum, which dissipates heat at lightning speed. Better are sandals, even flip-flops. These are combined with sturdy shoes to be able to search for wood at the campsite without risk of injury.

<figure><img alt="A tarp helps with drying" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-103-things-you-need-to-survive-21-jpg" width="4608" height="2592" /><figcaption>A tarp helps with drying</figcaption></figure>

<h2>Take a spade with you</h2>

As in Sweden, many official bivouac sites in Poland are equipped with toilets. They are always simple facilities, but always better than the forest. If you have to go to the forest, you should have a spade with you. This will prevent people who come after you from returning scolding you for their soiled shoes.

<figure><img alt="Sometimes you will find beautiful rest rooms" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-496-things-you-need-to-survive-23-jpg" width="4608" height="2592" /><figcaption>Sometimes you will find beautiful rest rooms</figcaption></figure>

When it comes to drinks, we have always gone for cans. They're full lighter than bottles, they don't break, so no one can get hurt from shards. And when crumpled up, they hardly take up any space in a large garbage bag. So even if there are a lot of them, they can be taken along until a trash can appears somewhere on the shore.  

<figure><img alt="And in Poland you can watch football everywhere outside with a 4G connection" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-825-things-you-need-to-survive-24-jpg" width="4618" height="3464" /><figcaption>And in Poland you can watch football everywhere outside with a 4G connection</figcaption></figure>

What is still missing? A knife for making art on rainy days, a flashlight, plastic dishes, preferably of the kind that can be folded from plate to bowl. Water filter who wants, a coffee mug, preferably large and with thermal insulation for long breakfasts on days the nature is against you.

<figure><img alt="Take drinks always in cans with you" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-372-things-you-need-to-survive-26-jpg" width="5920" height="2664" /><figcaption>Take drinks always in cans with you</figcaption></figure>

<h2>They're always coming back</h2>

As clothing everything double, because who once lay in the water and that in perhaps not optimal weather, which can not continue in wet things. For everything that must not get wet, there are the roll bags, which, if properly tied, even float if the boat capsizes. Be sure to try them out: Like plastic canoes, which are common in Poland, aluminum models, which are to rent in Sweden because plastic boats would break too quickly on the shores of rocky islands, go absolutely unsinkable.  

<figure><img alt="Ready to start another day" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-817-things-you-need-to-survive-27-jpg" width="4032" height="2268" /><figcaption>Ready to start another day</figcaption></figure>

We tried it out. Even four people trying to push such a boat under water can't do it. So you can have trust at all. They`re all coming back. Smiling or happy to have survived.

Thank you for reading and if you like my work&nbsp;<b>please follow me&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; on&nbsp;<a href="https://travelfeed.io/exit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhive.blog%2F%40koenau">Hive</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://travelfeed.io/@koenau">Travelfeed</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://travelfeed.io/@koenau">Steem</a>&nbsp;</b>or visit my homepage<a href="https://travelfeed.io/exit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fkoenau.de">&nbsp;<b>koenau.de</b></a>

A few more pictures for you:

<figure><img alt="You’ll never sinking in mondern boats" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-993-things-you-need-to-survive-22-jpg" width="4032" height="3024" /><figcaption>You'll never sinking in mondern boats</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img alt="Cans you can leave in trash bins along the way" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-584-things-you-need-to-survive-28-jpg" width="4618" height="3464" /><figcaption>Cans you can leave in trash bins along the way</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img alt="So nice lokks the tipi village early in the morning" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-426-things-you-need-to-survive-30-jpg" width="4160" height="1872" /><figcaption>So nice lokks the tipi village early in the morning</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img alt="Another day, evening" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-358-things-you-need-to-survive-32-jpg" width="4160" height="1872" /><figcaption>Another day, evening</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img alt="The tour ist over" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-052-things-you-need-to-survive-34-jpg" width="4032" height="2503" /><figcaption>The tour ist over</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img alt="We carved this little sailing boat out of bark" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-421-things-you-need-to-survive-20-jpg" width="4618" height="3464" /><figcaption>We carved this little sailing boat out of bark</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img alt="A hat and rubber boots" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-168-things-you-need-to-survive-36-jpg" width="4618" height="2495" /><figcaption>A hat and rubber boots</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img alt="It’s raining again" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-512-things-you-need-to-survive-39-jpg" width="3648" height="2736" /><figcaption>It's raining again</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img alt="Another tipi village" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-680-things-you-need-to-survive-33-jpg" width="4888" height="1879" /><figcaption>Another tipi village</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img alt="The best plates are flexible" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-110-things-you-need-to-survive-41-jpg" width="4160" height="1872" /><figcaption>The best plates are flexible</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img alt="Rarely are there places along the way where you can shop" src="https://img.travelfeed.io/koenau%2F2022-12-02-10-12-848-things-you-need-to-survive-40-jpg" width="4160" height="1872" /><figcaption>Rarely are there places along the way where you can shop</figcaption></figure>



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