Voyageur Expeditions
Personal Gear
The following items are carried by every Voyageur.
To assure quality and correctness they must be ordered from posted suppliers.
Underlined headings are links to suppliers

Haversack
To carry personal stuff - this and a bed roll will hold all you own.

Tumpline
To portage gear - leather strap goes across top of head - ropes tie the load.

Paddle
Traditional Voyageur style - straight, narrow - made of birch - length varies depending on individual.

PFD
To meet legal and safety needs - leather covered - includes extra CO2 capsule.

Blankets
To keep warm at night - two 6 pound wool blankets.

Camp Ropes
To tie gear and bed rolls, pitch tarps, etc - four 15' pieces of 1/4" hemp rope.

Personal Tarp
To sleep under - and to wrap bed rolls - 10'X10' oil cloth.

Roll Wrap
2' X 6' - to protect bed rolls and to cover personal stuff at night.

Ground Tarp
To sleep on - and to use as a slicker or supply cover - oil cloth 5' X 7'.

Shirts
Two - one of heavy cotton or linen - the other of light wool.

Trousers
Two - one of heavy cotton, the other wool - drop-front style - sewn tough.

Capote
Wool - with hood - antler buttons - short one is less bulky.

Socks
Pure wool - no blends - 3 pairs.

Belt
To support trousers and a belt knife if you carry one.

Bandana
To use as a hat, wash cloth, rag, whatever - pure cotton.

Pokes
Canvas bags  for tinder, tobacco, tools, stuff - 3 should do it.

Voyageur Sash
The historic badge of the Voyageur - functional, traditional and decorative.

Lye Soap
Period correct - made from lye and tallow.

Sun Hat
Brim is wide - can be felt or straw.

Soft Hat
For sleeping, bug protection and cooler weather - wool toque or beret.

Moccasins
Boot style - double soles - laced - well oiled - 2 pairs.

Fishing Kit
Hooks, sinkers, linen line, copper lures -  pork or bugs for bait.

Fire Kit
Flint, fire steel, chaga, bark and a water tight can.

Sewing Kit
Needles, linen thread, wax, and a few buttons.

Knife
You need at least one - a folder, neck, belt or pack - your choice.

Spoon
You'll need a spoon, either wood or metal. Your choice.

Noggin
For fine dining - rum - tea - and to bail the canoe.

Here is is a picture of my great friend, fellow Voyageur and great professional speaker - Christian Pilon. He is wearing clothing made by Geneviève Ethier. She is the head seamstress and costume designer responsible for the 2,700 costumes worn by the actors for Canada's largest outdoor historic theatre - l'écho d'un peuple. If you need a professional seamstress who knows her stuff contact Geneviève at 819-351-4385 or genny@buzpopman.com