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      Trip Report - First Solo, Knife Lake
 
  Last Visit: 04/26/2024 03:45AM

Entry Point 24 - Fall Lake

Fall Lake entry point allows overnight paddle or motor (25 HP max). This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 7 miles. "Access is a boat landing at Fall Lake. Several trip options to Newton, Basswood, & Mud Lakes with additionalportages." This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 14
Elevation: 1324 feet
Latitude: 47.9527
Longitude: -91.7213
Author Message Text
ottoparts
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02/27/2009 08:40PM
 
New Trip Report posted by ottoparts

Trip Name: First Solo, Knife Lake.

Entry Point: 25

Click Here to View Trip Report

Oddball: Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
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kanoes
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02/27/2009 08:43PM
 
congrats on taking the first step and actually soloing. each time youll learn more. im still not sure if i like it....but it beats being at work! :)

nice honesty in your report. thanks.
ottoparts
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02/27/2009 08:56PM
 

Thanks Kanoes.

I find myself looking forward to another solo sometime despite the note to myself about never doing it again. Maybe it's the cabin fever!

I want to apologize to all for the lack of Photos (no digital camera and no scanner).

I always like to see others photos in their trip reports.

Oddball: Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
stonecutter
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02/28/2009 07:13AM
 
thanks for the report. I'm thinking about a solo sometime in the fall and want to gather more info prior to committing to it. The boredom has been somewhat of a concern but I tend to keep to myself most of the time so maybe it wouldn't be all that bad.
TomT
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02/28/2009 07:17AM
 
I can relate to what you say about being bored. Also. a camera is a big help with this. So is fishing. I also think it's good to keep moving everyday unless you're totally beat or the weather is bad.

It's weird, when I finish a solo I always say to myself that I won't ever do it again, but inevitably I always can't wait for another.

Better luck next time. Thanks for reporting.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
RoJoYo
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02/28/2009 09:17AM
 
I've never canoed solo...but I have often backpacked solo...and what I have found is that boredom is a state of mind that one can learn to embrace or avoid. It was a great achievement to be able to be alone with yourself and enjoy it.

"You don't stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing." B. Franklin
ottoparts
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02/28/2009 11:51AM
 

I learned a lot from that first solo. First and most important is that I could do it.

But as to the trip planning, the biggest lesson I think was next time don't stay in one spot. I was worried that on a solo, all the work in camp obviously would have to be done by myself. I found that I got camp set up, fire wood collection.... all the camp chores done much more quickly than I anticipated.

I do find myself thinking about the next solo, and traveling every day will be a top priority in planning the next trip.

Oddball: Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
Winemaker
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03/02/2009 07:49AM
 

On my first solo, a river here in indiana, I ran into some of the same problems. No one to talk to, share with, do some of the dirty work for me, that kinda put me off a little.

Then I decided to try again, and I laid out three things each day I would accomplish to keep me busy:

(1) I will explore the area (weather permitting); I will paddle at least 30 minutes away from camp looking for wildlife, points of interest, and get a good sense of the surrounding landscape. This has worked well, even in a few cases where I ended up doing it on foot if paddling was not a good option.

(2) I will take at least ten pictures a day after setting up camp; this helps me overcome an odd problem I encountered after one solo trip, I never took one photo! So i shot the campsite, the surrounding area, I look for close-ups of trees, plants, etc. This has worked very well and now that I am all digital, I try to shoot 25 pic's instead of ten.

(3) I will read for at least 90 minutes; This has turned into a big help, although some will say books are too heavy, I find them indispenable on my solo trips and usually read for two to three hours, generally in 30-minute segments.

Since I started this method, I have not found myself nervous, anxious, or bored on my solo trips. Sorry, I don't fish...


hummm...



"Opening a bottle of wine in a canoe is a desirable, but irrational act."
Bannock
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03/02/2009 09:33AM
 
Nice report. Thanks.

Next time try 5 days. I bet you'll feel differently. You were probably just beginning to get into the swing of things when you left.

I agree - try to travel everyday. Taking down and setting up camp takes sometime and helps to eliminate the boredum. Even a short distance helps, though I bet you'll travel further than you planned.

Bannock
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