An easy-to-make, portable sauna can add a whole new element of luxury to a kayaking trip and, if it’s a cool, drizzly day, there is no better feeling than being able to say,
“Excuse me, I need to get to the water – I’m too hot.”
Imagine coming into the beach after a long day’s paddle. Your arms and back are aching, your skin is itchy from sweat and salt spray. By the time you’ve carried all your gear up the beach and brought the kayaks up above the high tide line, you’re tired and getting chilled. The thought of taking a dip in the water is the farthest thing from your mind. But after soaking up the heat in the heat of a wilderness sauna, you’ll welcome the chill of the water. A few trips between the sauna and the water will wash away the grime and fatigue, and leave you feeling relaxed and revitalized at day’s end.
An easy-to-make portable sauna can add a whole new element of luxury to a kayaking trip and, if it’s a cool drizzly day, there is no better feeling than being able to say, “Excuse me, I need to get to the water-I’m getting too hot.”
The sauna is a place to relax a kayaker’s sore and tired muscles, it will warm you deep down if you are chilled, it will relieve any congestion you may have had, and it will open skin pores for a deep cleansing, as it refreshes your mind and body.
I‘m an engineer and a gear fanatic, so one of my favorite parts of a kayak trip is when my friends ask, “So what did you bring on this trip?” What comes out of my hatches next is usually good for at least a few laughs. I had an idea that a portable hot tub would make me some new friends in a hurry, but after a couple of weak attempts, I chose the path to a sauna. In a sauna, I would have to heat only a small amount of water and the air, which takes a whole lot less energy than heating several gallons of water.
The ideal site for a sauna is near a freshwater river, where river rocks are plentiful. A planned escape path to cool down in the river or bay is also nice, the closer the better.
You will also need a fire pit that adheres to low-impact standards to heat the rocks. Building a fire below the high tide line will minimize impact. It should be within 40 feet of the sauna tent, but no closer than 15 feet, so any sparks from the fire do not land on the nylon materials. The fire needs to be medium sized (closer to a campground-sized fire, than a backpacker-sized fire), and you will need to select wood for its ability to produce heat and coals, not sparks. Choose dry downed wood. While cedar is commonly found as driftwood, it’s not the best choice, since it throws sparks.
To build a sauna, I use the following materials: a full-coverage rain fly (all sides extend to the ground) from a six-person tent (I use a Sierra Designs six-person Mondo Condo, but most winter mountaineering tents have full-coverage rain flys); a set of folding tent poles (you can order a replacement fly and poles from many tent manufacturers); and a tarp to place over the sauna in case it rains.
At home, before the trip, I shortened each of the three tent poles by one section. I then added small pieces of Velcro along the seams in the fly to secure the poles to the fly, and sewed short webbing strips with grommets to secure the end of each pole. I also placed one grommet in the center of the rain fly, to allow excess steam to vent.
To construct the sauna, I set up the fly without the tent. When I set up the revised fly, it looks like a squatty tent.
Arranging sitting benches inside will add to the comfort. Collect the sleeping bags from everyone on the trip, then connect them from the hang loops at the foot ends with a carabiner or cord, and drape them over the fly for insulation. Construction is now complete.
Next, look for about 10 to 12 smooth, rounded rocks between the size of a grapefruit and a cantaloupe. It’s important to heat the rocks uniformly to prevent splitting. Exercise caution, staying a safe distance away while heating them, as heated rocks have, on rare occasions, been known to send chunks flying.
When the rocks are nice and hot (cherry red), it’s time to place them in the carrying pan. At first I did it using native methods, by picking the rocks out of the fire with a stick and rolling them-to remove the ashes-to their destination. Now I use a set of Kevlar welding gloves (available at welding supply stores). With the gloves, I am able to pick the rocks right out of the fire, dust them off, and place them in a wok. With five or so rocks in the wok, I am able to bring them into the sauna. The first set of rocks will heat up the lodge, which will take about 20 minutes. When these rocks have lost most of their energy, replace them with another set of cherry-red rocks, and put the first set of rocks back into the fire.
Now it’s time to use the sauna. As you enter the sauna, you will immediately feel the heat radiating from the hot rocks. Drizzle some fresh water onto the rocks and enjoy the steam bath. When the rocks cool, return the cooled rocks to the fire and replace them with a hot batch- and enjoy. When your body temperature rises beyond your comfort level, it’s time to take a refreshing dip in the cool water, meditate for a moment on the experience, and return to the warm lodge. When you are all done, a fresh rinse from a sun shower is the last thing you need before a restful night’s sleep. Both your sore, tired muscles and your mind will feel refreshed in the morning.
Today, my sauna has taken on a sort of cult status. Friends look forward to it, and newcomers cannot believe it. To add to the memories, I have begun to have users write on, draw on and sign the sides with a permanent marker. This makes for entertaining conversations, and brings back the memories of friends and trips.
Next, look for about 10 to 12 smooth, rounded rocks between the size of a grapefruit and a cantaloupe. It’s important to heat the rocks uniformly to prevent splitting. Exercise caution, staying a safe distance away while heating them, as heated rocks have, on rare occasions, been known to send chunks flying.
When the rocks are nice and hot (cherry red), it’s time to place them in the carrying pan. At first I did it using native methods, by picking the rocks out of the fire with a stick and rolling them-to remove the ashes-to their destination. Now I use a set of Kevlar welding gloves (available at welding supply stores). With the gloves, I am able to pick the rocks right out of the fire, dust them off, and place them in a wok. With five or so rocks in the wok, I am able to bring them into the sauna. The first set of rocks will heat up the lodge, which will take about 20 minutes. When these rocks have lost most of their energy, replace them with another set of cherry-red rocks, and put the first set of rocks back into the fire.
Now it’s time to use the sauna. As you enter the sauna, you will immediately feel the heat radiating from the hot rocks. Drizzle some fresh water onto the rocks and enjoy the steam bath. When the rocks cool, return the cooled rocks to the fire and replace them with a hot batch- and enjoy. When your body temperature rises beyond your comfort level, it’s time to take a refreshing dip in the cool water, meditate for a moment on the experience, and return to the warm lodge. When you are all done, a fresh rinse from a sun shower is the last thing you need before a restful night’s sleep. Both your sore, tired muscles and your mind will feel refreshed in the morning.
Today, my sauna has taken on a sort of cult status. Friends look forward to it, and newcomers cannot believe it. To add to the memories, I have begun to have users write on, draw on and sign the sides with a permanent marker. This makes for entertaining conversations, and brings back the memories of friends and trips.
Sauna Precautions:
•Do not use if you are pregnant.
•Do not use without a doctor’s permission if you have high blood pressure or a heart condition. Limit alcohol consumption, as there is a risk of dehydration.
•Avoid drug use in the sauna. Tranquilizers, stimulants and other prescribed drugs alter the body’s metabolism, and could produce unwanted effects in the heat.
•If you become dizzy or have problems breathing, leave the sauna immediately.
•Drink plenty of water before and after, as you will be losing it in sweat.
•Children should not use saunas without supervision.