Next Friday, I will set off on my first BWCA trip doing an 8 day solo.
I am leaving from EP55. I will be paddling this solo in my Wilderness Tsunami 160 kayak. I have been planning this for an entire year. I have alot of new gear and have been testing each piece over the last couple months. I still have SOME room in my Kayak and the only piece of equipment I currently do not have, that I am considering, is a tarp. After doing some research, the Cooke Custom Sewing tarps seem to be the tarp of choice. Am I missing other brands that I should consider? What size is best?
Thanks for your input!

You probably already know there I a kayak forum here also. You can get info there on the best ways to pack and portage the kayak. I don’t know your travel plans for the trip, but you should be able to do a fairly long route with minimal portages through EP 55.

You can’t go wrong with a CCS tarp. The lightweight ones pack down small so a bigger one doesn’t add much weight or bulk. I have a 10x12 which provides a lot of options for protection from wind and rain, especially sideways rain. I have mine pre-rigged with a ridge line and tie-outs in a ridge line stuff sack, which simplifies solo set up especially in the wind. There are quite a few threads in the forums about it, but ask questions if not clear.

Take a tarp. If it were me, I'd take a very light, minimalist one...but that's me.
CCS is the best in the business and Dan is the MAN.

I assume you have some kind of yoke for the yak. Kayaks generally are not used because they are harder to portage, but if you've been planning for a year I expect you know that and have a plan.

Love to see a trip report when you are done!

I also carry a 10x12 CCS tarp when I solo. It is lightweight, packs small, and has versatile geometry for rigging. Have a great trip!

another plug for CCS tarps. I have an 8x10 and a 10x12. I'd recommend the 10x12 for the extra coverage for rain with wind. Quality craftsmanship. Lightweight.
Hope you follow up with a trip report of your first trip and kayak usage/ adventure.

And another plug, for all the reasons mentioned! :)
I can't remember how long I've had mine but it's nearing or surpassed twenty years, and it truly looks (and smells!) brand new.
Have a great trip!

What portaging method have you settled on?

Thank You for the info! How small does the 10' x 12' CCS tarp fold up?
I think if I lay it flat, it will fit in my kayak.
Yes, I will make sure I follow up with a Trip report and photos.
Thanks again!

I also can't say enough good things about CCS tarps and I can't tell you how many times I've attended a Dan Cooke tarp pitching seminar. To me, a tarp is the most important piece of gear in my pack. Protects you from the sun, the rain and the wind. A tarp can make a lousy weather situation into a minor inconvenience.

I have a CCS tarp and have owned a few off-brand tarps made in Canada. The off-brand tarps are good for what they are. CCS makes a high quality tarp and is certainly worth the investment.

I'll add that I picked up a 10x10 1.1 oz tarp to try and shave a little weight and pack the tarp down tighter in my pack. I've had good luck with that size as compared to an 8x10 tarp as it gives a bit more coverage. If weight were not a consideration, I would have picked up the 10x12. Have a good trip!

Skir68: "Thank You for the info! How small does the 10' x 12' CCS tarp fold up?
I think if I lay it flat, it will fit in my kayak.
Yes, I will make sure I follow up with a Trip report and photos.
Thanks again!"

The bag it comes in is about 7"x15". I stuff mine rather than fold it. If I compact the bag with the tarp and all the lines in it, it is 7"x7"x5". Plenty small to fit pretty much anywhere.

straighthairedcurly: "

Skir68: "Thank You for the info! How small does the 10' x 12' CCS tarp fold up?
I think if I lay it flat, it will fit in my kayak.
Yes, I will make sure I follow up with a Trip report and photos.
Thanks again!"

The bag it comes in is about 7"x15". I stuff mine rather than fold it. If I compact the bag with the tarp and all the lines in it, it is 7"x7"x5". Plenty small to fit pretty much anywhere."

Responded similarly then realized Skir68 entered BW on Friday, 5th. :D