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tumblehome
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05/11/2019 07:06AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I stopped traveling with other people for the most part about 10 years ago.
I will still travel in groups on occasion but I do not solicite people to camp with me, they solicite me.

People still think I 'm weird, crazy, stupid, or selfish to camp alone. And it is still hard for me to find the right words to explain to them why I do. I have camped solo several dozen times now and some of my trips have been to the far north of Ontario, some to the BWCA but most to Quetico.

It takes a certain type to solo camp. First and foremost is confidence in your ability but a close second are character traits. People who enjoy being alone. I'm not talking lonely. My job requires a lot of social interaction but I essentially work alone and truly love it. I am not a social butterfly and if I have a choice to be in a group of a thousand or a group of five, I'll take the latter.

I don't need people to make me happy. And I do my best work alone. It's how I'm wired.

Camping alone is the ultimate freedom. I do everything on my schedule, everything. I feel completely comfortable alone in the wilderness, no fear. Caution? Yes. Awareness? Very much so. Guilt? none.

I leave for Quetico in three weeks. It's a doozy of a trip and my solo canoe knows me well, just like how I know its every move too. We are a team. And God watches over the both of us.
Tom
 
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05/11/2019 09:34AM  
I started doing solo BW trips a long time ago, mostly out of necessity, even though I have always done many things alone. I still like to go with others, but also enjoy going solo a lot, and they are different experiences. I've done maybe a dozen solo BW trips (up to 17 days) and innumerable solo hikes, overnight camping, hunting, fishing. Hell, I've even gone to dinner and movies alone!

There are many people who just can't comprehend that. I'm perfectly comfortable doing them alone and even relish many aspects of it.

Enjoy your trip, Tom :).

 
05/11/2019 02:40PM  
I did many solos out of necessity and then started bringing a dog which I liked better. Then in 2016 I intentionally met up with another solo at a Quetico interior lake with one campsite where we camped and fished for 3 days before going our separate ways. Then last year I met 3 solos at a predetermined lake for 3 nights before splitting up. I really love this hybrid type of trip. This year will be a group of 6 solos and my dog. Should be fun.

I like going at something’s alone and will get that chance doing day trips. But it’s gonna be real nice to pal around for dinner and maybe a fire and some starwatching later with friends.
 
arm2008
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05/12/2019 07:32PM  
TomT: "...
I like going at something’s alone and will get that chance doing day trips. But it’s gonna be real nice to pal around for dinner and maybe a fire and some starwatching later with friends. "


That's how hiking has been for me, and I suspect canoe camping may go that direction, too. I like daytime solitude and evening company.
 
05/12/2019 09:41PM  
arm2008: "
TomT: "...
I like going at something’s alone and will get that chance doing day trips. But it’s gonna be real nice to pal around for dinner and maybe a fire and some starwatching later with friends. "

That's how hiking has been for me, and I suspect canoe camping may go that direction, too. I like daytime solitude and evening company."


I've done 8 dedicated solos by myself or with my dog and I think as I get older it's nice to be in a solo boat to have that freedom but camping with other people is much more enjoyable. I'll certainly do a dedicated solo if I have to but I'm pretty sure I'll be trying to find other solos to go with from now on. Maybe we can hook up some year arm2008.

 
WonderMonkey
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05/14/2019 02:40PM  
I've had to re-learn how to be by myself. My first time a few years ago was very odd. I had to work at it a bit. I now NEED to be solo here and there, and do enjoy when trusted people come along the other times.
 
05/15/2019 01:02PM  
+1
 
muddyfeet
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05/17/2019 08:37PM  
Like this. But instead of reading with a cat, it’s sitting in a boat with a paddle that recharges my batteries.
 
Paddle4Hike
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05/18/2019 12:53PM  
I did my first BW trip 2 years ago, and it was a solo week. I got hooked. Did another week last year, and am planning 10 to 12 days solo again this year. I intend to make this an every year, at least once a year, adventure. I will add some River tripping into my future, I hope.

I enjoy the solitude and self reliance aspects, and working completely off the schedule I choose to set. Selfish? Perhaps, by not sharing those incredible sights in the BW.

Look forward to exchanging hellos with some of you on those portages!
 
05/19/2019 04:23PM  
I guess I'm hooked on solo trips as I have done over 40. Since I retired I have done 17 three week solo trips plus 7 two week trips. I am now so set in my ways that I think I would have trouble interacting with others. You do things a certain way because it works for you. Sometimes I will try a new way but not that often I just enjoy the freedom of making decisions on the go. I have a detailed plan but I will vary it on how I feel, what the fishing is like and how the weather is reacting. I make all the decisions and suffer all the consequences. It really is harder because anything accomplished or under achieved is solely because of your efforts.
 
05/19/2019 05:59PM  
John I look forward to when I have the time freedom for a three week solo. I just don’t think I would enjoy all that time alone. I think a couple pre arranged meet ups to camp with others at one site would be a nice break up of all that solitude. I’m an introvert by nature but I’ve found out that I like people’s company. Just not for TOO long. Ha ha.
 
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