Sure, you remembered your paddle and canoe. Right?? But what about the duct tape? Extra garbage bags? The small things Boundary Waters veterans swear by that sounds ridiculous until you're three portages deep and desperately wish you had them?

We'll look at the often-overlooked essentials that separate the "I've got this" paddlers from the "why didn't anyone tell me?!" crowd. Whether you're a first-timer planning your maiden voyage or a seasoned tripper who's learned these lessons the hard way (and wants to laugh about it), you'll walk away with practical tips and a few "aha!" moments. Be sure to bring your own "I can't believe I forgot that" stories. We promise not to judge... much.