Took my friend Jewel's on a trip last week, we started at Ram and did the first four portages, yes they are challenging but not the worst I've done, jewels butt was kicked carrying the backpack, won't of been as bad if she wouldn't of brought a bunch of extra cloths and food that we didn't need, but that's my fault, I even offered to carry everything, but she wouldn't let me, but her back was wrecked when we got to camp,caused a little tension between us, I even felt bad. So it will probably be awhile before I go with someone again unless there in shape and carry a pack few time hiking before a trip and can handle it or a short trip base camping with easy portages, myself I likes the travelling part of it and seeing more lake's, sitting around is hard to do anymore.

housty9 .... I see where you are coming from. You are limited when canoe tripping by the physical limitations of your groups members. And when a persons experiences back issues on a trip, it can really slow that person down.

Too many newbies that are in poor physical shape don't realize that portaging a heavy back pack will likely be a bit more rigorous than they think.

Heck, I am turning 63 this year and I have been trying to stick with a regular workout program at my local YMCA, so I can better handle my 10 day summer Quetico trip. Not to mention drop a few pounds and reduce my blood pressure. I really do feel a lot better and sleep more soundly than ever before. Just want to be ready for anything that Quetico might throw at me.

If you are not flexible enough to consider a partners condition and experience when planning a trip you should indeed only travel solo. There are quite a few times that I go solo because I know any potential traveling partners would not enjoy the pace or difficulty of travel on a particular route. When I am traveling with a partner or group I choose a route and pace that suits the least experienced or least strong. If they show they are up for a bit of a challenge we'll make decisions along the way to provide that. These days, all my challenging trips are solo.

Pushing through the first four portages from Ram entry is not a good newbie experience. If I recall, at least one of those is brutal with bog holes and rock outcrops.

Sorry the trip turned out not so good with Jewel. Having a good tripping companion adds value, probably one of the reasons I solo more is lack of a good tripping companion that can go when I want to go. I have tripped with others from this forum and had a blast and would do it again.
Getting on the same page before you go and being sure the companion is fully aware and on board is critical, even with good tripping partners. This is one of the reasons I emphasize planning together and preparing together when posts about bringing a friend, etc. show up.
So the task now is what has been learned and how can it be used to build the friendship whether you trip together again or not.

The more solo's I do, the more I like it, but I'm getting more and more set in my ways since most of my trips have been solos. I'm sure I must be hard for someone else to trip with.

quote boonie: "The more solo's I do, the more I like it, but I'm getting more and more set in my ways since most of my trips have been solos. I'm sure I must be hard for someone else to trip with. "

Yeah same here. I did a group trip in 2015 and it was just ...... not as enjoyable as a solo. I think if I'm gonna do a group again it will be with other like minded solos.

quote bhouse46: So the task now is what has been learned and how can it be used to build the friendship whether you trip together again or not."

Will trip again I'll just make sure she is more prepared, it was more my fault knowing she wasn't ready for those kinds of portages, she is my best friend and we have worked things out and are on the same page again.

I've experienced the same, but on the other hand, I've traveled with a few that kicked my butt and would've kept going. I'm no slouch, they were just marathoners that were only interested in getting to the other end of the trip. I enjoyed that trip, but would have enjoyed it more at my pace. For me, short breaks often gets me just as far.

quote PortageKeeper: "I've experienced the same, but on the other hand, I've traveled with a few that kicked my butt and would've kept going. I'm no slouch, they were just marathoners that were only interested in getting to the other end of the trip. I enjoyed that trip, but would have enjoyed it more at my pace. For me, short breaks often gets me just as far."

I'm never in a race, I'll stop several times in a day to enjoy the scenery and take pictures.

quote boonie: " I'm sure I must be hard for someone else to trip with. "

No Steve, not by my experience. But I have gone with a couple different people that may have had control issues.

quote inspector13: "

quote boonie: " I'm sure I must be hard for someone else to trip with. "

No Steve, not by my experience. But I have gone with a couple different people that may have had control issues. "

Well, I don't know, Steve-O, my wife and I are going through a "period of adjustment" learning how to live together again in retirement. You know I'm a regular guy and she's been getting in the bathroom when it's my time! ;)

I was just thinking that we started off with 4 of us for this trip and now we're down to 2. I made arrangements, then one dropped out and I made special arrangements for him and changed everything, then just after that he dropped out and I had to change all the travel arrangements again. I think you and I are pretty solid, although something can always happen at the last minute.

My only expectation is that the person/people that I am tripping with enjoy the experience. No matter who I trip with, I'll likely always be the weakest link when it comes to being in physical shape. I am happy paddling for 10 minutes or 10 hours; I don't care if we are camping at an entry point (where allowed) or 20 miles into the BWCA. I enjoy just being there and hanging out with friends or family.

Being the organizer/planner (aka tour guide) I ask a lot of questions to make sure that the trip is tailored to everyone in the group. Nobody ever complains because it is too easy; but you can easily spot someone pushed beyond their limits or not having fun.

Last fall our group was pushed after a late start, too much gear, and 3 of the 4 in the group hadn't done anything like this in 25 years or more. Since we were going from #38 Sawbill Lake to Cherokee, stopping along the way to spend the night wasn't an option because there are no sites between Sawbill and Cherokee. We made it to Cherokee soaked because of rain and sweat, and cold because the temperature dropped all day. We ended up base camping for the week and relaxing and exploring instead of doing the loop down through Sitka, South Temperance, Smoke and etc.

While we were at MSP waiting for our flight home, to my surprise, we started planning the next trip. Whether you are solo or in a group, be flexible. It may be even more important if you are solo because if you push yourself past your limit you could fail. Failure could be deadly.

Luft and I just did a group solo. I am beginning to like these types of trips very much. We travel together and camp together but bring all of our own gear and canoes. That way if we want to day trip alone we can. We don't cook together but most of the time we ate together. It just works.

+1 jeepgirl

I haven't done the group solo thing yet, but I think it would work well in various ways. One way would be where schedules don't exactly mesh.

I have incorporated elements of it, though; Steve and I each do our own food. In the past I have told my brother he could eat whatever I eat or bring his own. He just said he'd eat whatever I ate, so I have just duplicated my menu for him. I just can't imagine trying to work out a menu and food for anyone else.

quote housty9: "

quote bhouse46: So the task now is what has been learned and how can it be used to build the friendship whether you trip together again or not."

Will trip again I'll just make sure she is more prepared, it was more my fault knowing she wasn't ready for those kinds of portages, she is my best friend and we have worked things out and are on the same page again."

I am glad to hear that Housty!! I was just looking at a kawishiwi trip for next trip with my daughter. Something with shorter portages..