As solo trippers we must carry all gear and provisions ourselves. Longer trips, 2 weeks or more, requires a level of endurance I no longer wish to endure if I do not resupply within the trip. I am wondering if any solo trippers on this board resupply mid trip - on trips from say 15 to 30 days. If so, how do you do it; fly in, cash goods ahead of time ... How do you maintain feasible portaging for a long trip in the bush?

Bob

I don't know what the answer is, but I've been pondering it for a while. I'm up to about a 2-week trip as my longest and would like to do a 3-week+ trip. So far my focus has been on reducing pack weight to where I'll be able to double portage. All other options introduce additional complications. Obviously the fly in is only an option in some places and would have an additional expense factor. I don't think a cache is a great idea either and maybe not permissible some places . . . ?. You could exit the BW and re-enter with another permit, but that is a limitation as well as a complication. Another option is to have someone meet you with a resupply at a pre-determined time and place, but that's another limitation/complication.

So far I have focused on food that is light weight, compact, calorie dense, and requires minimal fuel for preparation. I have also replaced some gear with lighter options and chosen to just leave some behind. I did OK on my 2-week trip last fall. I also hope to regain some of my stamina with additional training in the future.

Maybe some combination of lightening the load, training, and, if necessary triple portaging for a while until food weight comes down.

Not sure where you plan on traveling but on the Canadian side there are a lot of outposts. You could arrange to have something flown on one of their regular runs for a reasonable price. It would really depend on where you were planning on traveling.

This question has been on my mind as well. It seems that foraging could play a part, but carries its own risks. I always have high hopes for my fishing abilities before a trip, but have learned to always have an alternative, even if its just some extra jerky and a clif bar.

quote bct: "... It seems that foraging could play a part, but carries its own risks. ... "

The first time I assumed I would catch enough fish to avoid going hungry was also the last -- and that was about 35 years ago.

quote bct: "This question has been on my mind as well. It seems that foraging could play a part, but carries its own risks. I always have high hopes for my fishing abilities before a trip, but have learned to always have an alternative, even if its just some extra jerky and a clif bar. "

The problem with dependace on fish is that it only supplies protein when carbs are most important.

quote NotSoFast: "

quote bct: "... It seems that foraging could play a part, but carries its own risks. ... "

The first time I assumed I would catch enough fish to avoid going hungry was also the last -- and that was about 35 years ago."

Good to know. What do you do on extended solos?

On extended solos, I bring peanut butter ( heavy), dehydrated venison burger to mix with pre-pakaged hamburger helper baggies,powdered drink mix as well as coffee, baking powder and flour, ground cinnamon and some non stick spray to make bannock ( i used to bring lard - but too heavy for me know, spray is easier). maybe some jerky, two nalgene bottles of gorp, some breakfast bars, Knorr rice meals, etc. most of the meals are high fat and high carb as I go through calories so much quicker than sitting around the house - I still lose weight.

My problem is without resupply, the weight as well as size of packaging becomes too much. I love to take my wannigan, but only so much can fit in one and they get heavy quick. I also have to take food for the dog - even with his pack, there is jsut a lot of size and weight for us, A reality of wilderness solo tripping.

Bob.

I think I remember BeaV taking oats on his long alaskan trip. Makes sense. High carb, not much wasted space when packing.

I've done 15 days without re supply but anything longer would require a larger food pack and not taking "extras." I think I could do 20 days. I usually double portage so this would be doable for me. I definitely wouldn't depend on fish or foraging.

Probably easier in the BWCA, I'd imagine? I wonder if you could mail yourself food care of an outfitter on Sag or Seagull or Knife or Lake One or wherever (after checking with them first, of course).

Depending on your willingness to portage, as someone else suggested, you could triple portage...Or simplify gear to get it all safely into two bags.

In thinking about a Grand Portage to Lake of the Woods trek, I figure ill have my usual outfitter on Moose drop a pack for me at Prairie Portage.

Much to my wife's dismay my trips are usually 20+ days. The obvious answer is to do more portages. No big deal.........not as much time is wasted as one might think. My last WCPP trip I did 4 carries across on the way in and still made decent time but I put in long days.

Backpacking is hugely different and resupply is a must on long trips. On the PCT I mailed food drops ahead as well as the Wonderland Trail.