Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Solo Two
by Mort

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 07/01/2013
Entry & Exit Point: Kawishiwi Lake (EP 37)
Number of Days: 8
Group Size: 1
Trip Introduction:
As the name of my trip report implies, this was my second attempt at doing a solo canoe trip in the B’dub. One of the main things I learned from my first solo trip last year was the need to shed more weight (the food and gear that is!), ..and so I decided to give hammock camping a try this time around. It turned out to be another positive, enjoyable and memorable experience that built upon the first.
Day 1 of 8
Monday, July 01, 2013 I got a good, early start from home, leaving Appleton, WI at 7:25a.m. I wasn’t sure my old compact car was up to the challenge, but it proved to be very dependable, while getting 33 ½ miles to the gallon to boot! Not bad for a 2002 Saturn, eh?!

Rather than having to prepare a meal right away when I arrived at my entry point, I stopped in the town of Two Harbors and picked up a sandwich at the Sub Way Shop. That turned out to be a good decision that I’ll likely do if I come this way on a trip again.

I stayed the first night at the Kawishiwi Campground. It was nice and quiet with only one other camper there, so I had my pick of the other 4 available sites. I ended up taking site #1 because it had a pair of perfectly spaced trees for hanging my hammock. The temperature really dropped that first night. I was very thankful that in addition to my diy underquilt, I had brought along a cheap car sun screen to help insulate my back side. Turned out that I had a very good and comfortable sleep in my new War Bonnet Black Bird hammock.