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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 04:05AM
Trip Report - Solo Rejuvenation

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Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
homerun23 04/05/2009 09:18PM
Nice report! Looks like you could have saved the 4 ounces your stove weighed and boiled your water on your knees! LOL I appreciate hearing about the "learning experiences" that others encounter, they may keep others from having to experience them as well.
ChadLeo 04/01/2009 01:48PM
I really enjoyed reading that bumabu. You're a good writer and thanks for sharing. Reading your report makes me even more excited for my solo at the end of May.
HighPlainsDrifter 03/31/2009 10:27PM

Tonight did some "spot" and speed reading of your report. I will be back to finish. You are a good story teller. Lots of detail including the fear factor when your canoe and pack misplaced you on the trail. Great report.

April 1, 2009, 10:20 PM.

Reading along and enjoying the way you write. No tent! (ouch, I like my tent......) Tonight, I followed your path on the maps. The Zenith has caused me to think twice about going this way..... 2 hours double portage, 460 r..... you move right along :)

You write that this was your "first experience in a true solo canoe". At some point in the future, I anticipate being the "odd man" out....... The solo canoe of choice has been on my mind (in preparing for that day). I would need to keep pace with a tandem (is that possible????). I have paddle a tandem solo with gear forward for trim (worked but I felt I was paddling a brick). Your report on the "Wenonah Prism with modified seat position (Sawbill Outfitters) has my interest. I like that permanently mounted portage yoke in the center. I have got to jump into this and give it a try to test the waters.
ILikePike 03/31/2009 03:30PM
nice report. i read it in the BWJ.
Rambler_Dog 03/31/2009 08:47AM
very nice report, very nice pictures. I appreciate the effort. Thanks.
Dbldppr1250 03/28/2009 05:19PM
I enjoyed reading your trip report - thanks!
Bannock 03/28/2009 03:39PM
Nice! I was reading it in the BWJ last night in bed but fell asleep about half way through. I like your posted version better, especially the accompanying pictures. Great job!

Sound like the Prism with the far back seat worked OK for you. It is interesting. I've considered doing something like that but I thought the canoe would get to unstable at a narrower point like that even if it could be trimmed.
Ho Ho 03/28/2009 11:48AM
Great report. Not too wordy at all. Just the opposite. Every word was a pleasure to read, you nicely captured the experience. Thanks!
bumabu 03/28/2009 02:08AM
Glad everyone enjoyed the reports, worried about them being too wordy, but I couldn't hack the details out in good conscience!

Kensofe: That is wierd that you are doing the same loop on the same day! answers....1.) The Louse was my highest priority area to see, so that is why I did it first. I might recommend to do it in reverse though for three reasons. the first is the "lost" portage is probably more visible from the other end and second that the portage obstacle that I wiped out on would be easier to manuever downhill than uphill and the third would be the narrow chute that is runnable down stream into knight from phoebe is not paddleable the other way as noted in report. I wasn't worried about food pack weight for lujenda portage, was gonna be a bitch either way! 2.) both river ways are relatively flat water sections broken by rapids. Current not really an issue. 3.) Depending on your time frame, see as much as you can. Beaver and adams is really cool area. campsites in general in the area were pretty poor i would say, but I am pretty picky. If you have september 08 BWJ the evals from all the camps in the area are in there, or I can email anyone a word document if they need it. south east corner and north end of adams seem tremendous smallmouth habitat, but i didn't really try, i dont fish alone too much. 4.) Plan on a full day for the louse, or cut it up and camp on one of two camps on Trail lake, where, tale tells of great walleye fishing.

TomT: no stove is the way to go man. makes menu planning a little more constrictive but worth it to me. I have a fire morning and night anyway, so it just seems natural to cook on it, something my dad got me started on a long time ago. obviously not an option in fire ban but you know that ahead of time. My goal is usually minimal dishes to wash and no stove or plate or bowl. finger food or eat out of steel cup.
TomT 03/28/2009 01:24AM
I always love reading solo trip reports. This was very enjoyable to read. I found your "leftovers" picture funny in that it always happens that way for me too.

I also like the idea of no stove. Save a lot of weight that way.
RoJoYo 03/27/2009 12:44PM
Enjoyed your report...much better with the pics...thanks for posting it here too.
kensofe 03/27/2009 09:48AM
Great report, very enjoyable to read and thanks for sharing your mistakes with us. I know that queasy, sinking, uneasy feeling as you had looking for your canoe in the woods- been there, done that and hope not to repeat it. I also know the joy that can wash over you when you are spared a significant amount of grief when things work out okay.

This is very coincidental, by the way. I am planning a solo trip on the exact route you took and plan to depart on the exact same day in 2009. This report furthered fired my dreams and expectations. I really enjoyed reading it.

I do have some questions for you- 1) did you consider doing this clockwise as opposed to the way you took? I am thinking of going clockwise, thereby leaving the longest portage (Lujenida)for the end when my food pack will be lighter. 2) Were you paddling with the current on both the Louse River as well as through the Lady chain? 3) Have any must see areas or sights to recommend? campsites? fishing areas? 4) Any other advice for me would be appreciated. If you care to, you may email me, whatever you choose.

Thanks again for the report and for the information! Nice job.
bogwalker 03/27/2009 08:45AM
Loved the report Bumabu.
cowdoc 03/27/2009 08:26AM
I'm reading it right now in the BWJ. Good job bubu!
ducks 03/27/2009 08:04AM
Another nice report bumabu. Thanks for sharing. This one I just read 2 days ago in the latest BWJ. Keep up the good work! I enjoy your stories.
bumabu 03/27/2009 02:30AM
New Trip Report posted by bumabu

Trip Name: Solo Rejuvenation.

Entry Point: 38

Click Here to View Trip Report wc-20090301-1118