My first solo trip starts 2weeks from today. The plan is 8 days in from EP 37. I was a bit apprehensive about going solo a few weeks ago when I hatched this plan, but hours spent reading posts on BWCA.com and previous experience in the bdub has given me confidence that I can pull this off. I have extra incentive to make this work, as my former tripping partner passed away on Monday. We sure made a strong paddling team! I will mis him, but will try to honor his memory by making the best trip I can.

Sorry to hear about your tripping partner, pilgrim. Have a good trip and remember the good times with him.

What kind of canoe are you paddling? Sorry about your friend. Many people find moving often while soloing helps time move faster. I am just down the road if suddenly find you are missing something. Send me a note. Kind of a gearaholic. Pete

Geez, what a tough blow. Hard to lose friends.

I would suggest 3 routes of thought. The first is to stay busy. That means an ambitious route where you are either paddling, setting up, portaging or fishing. It gives one little time to fall into a funk. My fist solo was the Hunters Island loop and I went from dawn until dark almost every day and the trip was stellar. My second solo was less intense, I ruined a Cannon SLR, fell into a funk and left early.

My second suggestion is to achieve a method of expression. For me that is journaling. The days events and thoughts and feeling are all captured daily. It is quite striking how this simple act alleviates the need for added company. I am a natural extrovert but find contentment thusly. Audio journaling may also be an option. Some of the recording devices these days are tiny indeed. If the trip turns out to be "special" you might consider creating a scrap book from a site like Snapfish where for about $100 you could create a hard copy keepsake. I opt for a digital "scrapbook" of sorts (mastertangler@blogspot) and can "relive" the trip at any time. Pictures are important especially shots that are not "posed" but rather doing your normal camping chores.

Lastly, what a great opportunity to connect with our Creator the Lord God. It is written that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without being observed. You are worth much more than many sparrows. I am convinced of His great love for humanity and His personal care and attention for me on an individual basis. The only question becomes, will I acknowledge that great love or neglect the opportunity to interact with the designer of canoe country? Many worship that which was made rather than the one who made it and miss the mark.

Good luck, we just exited there a week ago for our first trip to that area. If you're a fisherman feel free to send me an email.

I'm sorry to hear about your partner. I was apprehensive about my first solo last year, but now I can't wait to do it again! I hope that your trip is everything that you want and need.

pswith5: "What kind of canoe are you paddling? Sorry about your friend. Many people find moving often while soloing helps time move faster. I am just down the road if suddenly find you are missing something. Send me a note. Kind of a gearaholic. Pete"

I’ll be paddling a Prism; not my first choice but it’s a rental from Sawbill and the logistics work out best for picking the canoe up there rather than renting one from Sawtooth. As far as gear goes, I’m now pretty well set other than a few small items that I’ll order from Amazon, but thanks for the offer.

I encourage you to join the solo forum if you are not yet a member. It contains an exchange of lots of good solo knowledge.

cyclones30: "Good luck, we just exited there a week ago for our first trip to that area. If you're a fisherman feel free to send me an email. "

Cylones30: I definitely plan on doing a fair amount of fishing, so I’ll send you an email and hopefully you can share some knowledge of the area. I assume that you’re an Iowan - my wife is from Iowa, as was my Dad.

For you solo trippers out there, did you ever get scared at night all alone?

I'd love to do a solo trip sometime, but I honestly feel like I'd get a little lonely or scared at night.

Seems like such a wimpy thing to stop me from doing it, but was curious if others had to get over this mental block.

Aldy1: "For you solo trippers out there, did you ever get scared at night all alone?


I'd love to do a solo trip sometime, but I honestly feel like I'd get a little lonely or scared at night.


Seems like such a wimpy thing to stop me from doing it, but was curious if others had to get over this mental block.


"

If your man or woman enough to publicly admit to being a bit nervous about being out all night alone then you have more than enough courage to camp out ;-)

I got the creeps in Glacier one night when I was the only one at the campsite. Beautiful place but when no one showed up near dark I started feeling uneasy.
And yet, here I am!

Go hard all day..........you will basically be to tired to be afraid. Next thing you know it's morning and time to do it all again. Your biggest concern should rather be your decision making during the day. Take your time, don't paddle rough water far from shore and don't fall on portages. Sleeping out will be your least concern if truth be told.

A yak paddle is definitely worth while IMHO while soloing, especially with wind.

Aldy1: "For you solo trippers out there, did you ever get scared at night all alone?


I'd love to do a solo trip sometime, but I honestly feel like I'd get a little lonely or scared at night.


Seems like such a wimpy thing to stop me from doing it, but was curious if others had to get over this mental block.


"

Yes, and we got over it. It's just like going with a group, but nobody else is there. Once you discover that, it goes away quickly. Try a short one first, maybe overnight near home.

The lonely part - I don't know how that will be for you. I spent a lot of time doing things alone since I was a child, so I like that part.

AmarilloJim: "A yak paddle is definitely worth while IMHO while soloing, especially with wind."

This will be first time paddling a solo canoe, although I’ve paddled a tandem without a partner before. Would you still recommend a yak paddle if I have little to no solo paddling experience and absolutely no yak paddle experience? I want to make the transition to soloing as easy as I can, and I’m concerned that adding an unfamiliar paddling technique might make the transition more difficult, at least at the beginning of my trip.

You should be fine with the single blade and catch on quickly given your experience. I think it's a good idea to have a spare paddle, and take one of each.

The learning curve on a yak paddle is about 2 minutes. I take 1 of each.

I'm in the same boat as you Pilgrim, no pun intended. I go in next Saturday the 30th for 4 nights. First solo.

I'm building confidence by the day, but still a little nervous I'm going to screw something up or forget something important.

Have a great trip!

Aldy1: "For you solo trippers out there, did you ever get scared at night all alone?


I'd love to do a solo trip sometime, but I honestly feel like I'd get a little lonely or scared at night.


Seems like such a wimpy thing to stop me from doing it, but was curious if others had to get over this mental block.

"

This is part of the reason why I'm happy I'm doing my first solo during some of the longest days of the year. It won't be dark until like after 10pm and I'll probably be tired and ready to crash. And it will be light again plenty early. There is 16 hours of sunlight right now vs 8 hours of darkness.

In October when there is 13+ hours of darkness, that's a different story and could maybe bring the heebie jeebies on a little more.

Aldy1: "For you solo trippers out there, did you ever get scared at night all alone?

I'd love to do a solo trip sometime, but I honestly feel like I'd get a little lonely or scared at night.

Seems like such a wimpy thing to stop me from doing it, but was curious if others had to get over this mental block.

"

I convinced myself that there is nothing different in the woods when it's dark out. Everything is the same, it's just dark. Ok, there are a few more critters out at night, but nothing dangerous. Not that the hair on the back of my neck doesn't stand up a bit once in a while, but I just laugh and remind myself again, that it's the same woods out there, it's just dark. Also, where good ear plugs when you head to bed at night. It's easier to sleep when you cannot hear all the sounds of the night.

treehorn: "I'm in the same boat as you Pilgrim, no pun intended. I go in next Saturday the 30th for 4 nights. First solo.


I'm building confidence by the day, but still a little nervous I'm going to screw something up or forget something important.


Have a great trip!"

You too, treehorn! It should be a great adventure, however it turns out.

Solo canoe, yak paddle definitely, much easier imho. On night 1 of my solo trip and it’s not what I expected. Not scared, not creepy, but way too quiet. Apparently I’ve discovered I like group trips better. Oh well it was worth trying but I’ll be packing and heading out tomorrow.

Posted my trip report from that area from 2 weeks ago.