Well, every journey begins with a single step, so my journey into solo backcountry canoeing will begin for real in early August. I've solo-camped and base camped a couple 2 - 3nights out, but now I am planning a trip starting at Baker Lake, up through the Temperance lakes, across Sitka portage to Cherokee, down to Sawbill, then the flame lakes and back to the EP. 5 days. I am familiar with all except the flame lakes region.

I have a question that's really bugging me - why am I so nervous?

I have taken dozens of trips to BWCA. I have traveled there since I was 18. I'm now 53. I took my sons there since they were 5 and 7, and traveled there alone with each of them when they reached about 11 years old. I took my elderly mom there alone, at age 71. She went over the Burntside - Crab lake portage with me, then the next year - after loving that so much, we did Poplar to Meeds and on from there. My point being, on past trips, I've essentially solo'ed in terms of all the responsibility and physicality, but there's just something about being all alone in the boat that is giving me jitters. I've been reading past trip reports and others have said that simplification really helps. I'm planning on that. My son and I recently returned from a trip up to Cherokee, then up to Kelso and Lujenida area, and Alton. We went very lightly loaded, ate only dehydrated meals (no dishes) and took very little in the way of non-essentials. We didn't take cameras (which I now regret) and only a single pole with several lures (no regrets!) Others have said to take it slow - maybe this trip will be too much as planned. If it is, I can always end at Sawbill and pay for a shuttle back to my vehicle at Baker I guess. Or turnaround. Or just hit the flame lakes area since it would be new. So - simplicity, slow down and flexibility. All these things I've done and practiced with my kids when they were young and with my mother, who was new to all of it. Why so nervous? Do you get nervous before solo's? Thanks - JP

Likely they will stop as you paddle across the first lake after the first portage for sure. Be well prepared, which you are. No need to be nervous about that. Once you are traveling, first lake, first ten minutes, focus on the place. The sounds, the colors, the motion of the boat. Let it flow through you and you will forget to be nervous.

Choose a style of travel that is slow and steady. Deliberately make the safe choice with footing on difficult portages. You could take a big step and land on top of that muddy boulder, or I could take two or three little safe steps and end up in the same place. Never be in a hurry, never get yourself in a situation where you have to be in a hurry - like doing that one last portage before dark. By traveling that way you begin eliminating sources of nervousness.

But, again, focus on the place.

Excellent help, sedges. I know just what you're telling me to do. Thanks!
I've spent so much time on previous trips having to be the calm and in-control one, whether for the kids or my mom. Now, I'll be doing that for me. This helps. Thanks.

I did my first solo last fall and I had jitters for months before my trip. Like I did going to camp for the first time. Try to embrace them you probably haven't felt so small in a long time. You obviously know what you are doing and are good at it.

When my wife dropped me at the EP on my solo, I felt so small and scared and excited and alive all at once saying our good byes and pushing off. It's a whole new experience being alone in the woods. I loved it and you will too. Just enjoy doing everything you want to do. I got a lot of good advise on this forum and used it often. Put yourself in the right frame of mind before you go, and when you are out there remember why you are doing it. Relax you are ready and able. Have a great time. Cant wait to hear how it went.

It may just be because it’s different from what you normally do. I have gone on many solo trips and never get nervous. I’m considering going with a group of people sometime and the thought of that makes me nervous.

I don't know if it's possible not to be a bit nervous before your first solo, no matter how many group trips you have taken into the wilderness. I know I was very nervous beginning my first solo, and somewhat, but less so on my second, and so on. The "What ifs?" haunted my mind.

I found that the familiar routines of paddling, portaging, setting up camp, collecting wood, making a fire were comforting to me. I now absolutely love being by myself up there.

Here are some things I do to help me have a good, safe experience:

I triple portage now so that no load is too heavy. This helps me feel steadier on my feet.
I bring along a rented SPOT locator, (which I've never used).
I made my first trip to a familiar area so I wasn't worried about getting turned around or confused.
Lightweight everything - all freeze dried meals are so simple and delicious.
Paperback books and a journal can act as silent companions.
I love sitting in my Flexlite chair in front of the campfire.
As others have said, don't rush, slow down, one foot in front of the other.
As you mentioned, have a backup plan that allows you to shorten your mileage.
I remind myself that even though I'm in the wilderness, the BWCAW is still a place where you will see people, especially in August.

I know you will have a wonderful experience!

Dave

here's a tip for you from someone who has taken dozens of solo trips- make the trip your own. read what other's have done, and where they have gone, and how to be safe, but when it boils down to it, it's your trip on your time.
tell yourself it's going to be the best time alone you have ever spent and make it happen.
slow your thoughts, think about your decisions, take your time.
don't over prepare by reading all the camp locations, sites, fishing reports etc.
your adventure should have some surprises that you discover, on your own.
don't over pack, keep it simple but bring what you absolutely need.
have fun.

All the tips are great, and work.
Here is a bit of science and fun. The amygdala, a gland in the deep brain, is known as the panic button or fire alarm. When it fires our body experiences physical changes in anticipation of some unknown and our emotions intensify. Fear, curiosity, nervousness and excitement are some of the emotions. With experience the unknown becomes known and the emotional response shifts. In the end it is not what it is, but how you think about it once that initial amygdala firing starts the learning process.
And now the fun...On their first date my father took my to be mother to the local park. They both told the story the same with one difference. She said she trembled from fear when he put his hand on her knee. He said it was excitement. In either case he then drove on but came to a railroad where there was a train. They shared their first kiss. I recall them stopping at railroad tracks when there was no traffic well into my adult years.
My guess, Jillpine, is that you are excited looking forward to something new and a little unsure and nervous because it is new. Have fun however you think about it.

I've done maybe a dozen of them and there's still a little flutter of nervous anticipation, which is a good thing to get me focused.

You're nervous because you're doing something new and unknown and worrying about all that. But it's really not unknown to you and when you start, you'll just be thinking about the things you're doing. Yours will be the only voice you hear. After a little while your mind will slow down the jabbering and you'll start hearing the world around you. Then you'll just be canoe tripping again and things will be fine.

And don't forget the TP in all your excitement ;).

I get nervous before my solo trips as well. Once I get going and past the first portage I start to feel really really good especially if I am paddling. Paddling really makes me enjoy the BWCA so much as I look at nature and enjoy all the sights. I'm the kind of person that can enjoy water flowing over a rock, a loon coming along side my canoe or seeing a deer at a campsite. Some times the smallest of things in nature can really make me feel good.

I think everyone would be a bit nervous the first time you plan a totally new adventure. You are simply doing something new and different, so it's not surprising that you are nervous.

I was in the same place last year. I did my first solo from the Baker entry as well. Pretty much planned the same route as you did, but end up spending a couple days in the flame lakes. I had a great time! As others have said, slow down and be careful. I had a couple of slips along the way that could've been prevented if I was just a little more careful.

Once I was on the water, and definitely after the first portage, most of the jitters disappeared and I was able to just enjoy the experience.

Have a great trip and enjoy yourself!

Heading on Friday for my first solo, glad to hear I'm not the only one with these feelings. A mixture of excitement and some nerves.

awbrown: "I think everyone would be a bit nervous the first time you plan a totally new adventure. You are simply doing something new and different, so it's not surprising that you are nervous."

Yeah I was extremely nervous until I was 47. I did 2 in my 20s and I was a wreck. I’ve done 10 now of at least 8 nights. I’m good to go.

Just go with the flow and don’t forget anything. Let it happen. Tell us how it went.

Nervousness is good. And normal. It may help you travel and camp safely. I am always more conservative when I am solo. More careful on the portages, stick close to shore more often, use less alcohol and have my PLB in my pocket at all times just in case.
I think most folks find that nervousness quickly morphs into excitement once you get going. Like others have said there is a joy in doing whatever you want, whenever you want. Complete freedom. My time. I love to paddle great distances following the shore very closely just listening, staring at the woods, looking at the lake bottom and studying the sky reflections on the water. It brings me great peace.
With all of your experience you, too, will find that going alone will allow the nervousness to fade into a sense of calm and joy.
Have a wonderful trip and embrace the nervousness!

Thank you for sharing the wisdom and words of advice. It's been very helpful in terms of both concrete actions and more abstract approaches.

I'll let you know how it goes.

I will probably stop going when I no longer get nervous and get the butterflies before a big trip. It is amazing how fast that nervousness turns into focus once you get going.

I think it's the feeling of the great unknown that causes that nervousness, and it's very common. I strongly suspect that the minute you start unpacking at the entry point, it will start fading because you realize you are doing something you've done before, that you now how to do. More will fade as you start paddling and focus on your awesome new canoe. And setting up camp will take longer since you have to do all the chores, but even more you'll realize you are doing something you know how to do. It won't take long to realize the great unknown is not really all that big after all, and you'll realize how competent you are. Enjoy your trip.

I've done a couple extended solos (30 and 43 days). Leading up to the trips I had virtually no anxiety until the actual (long) drive to the put-in. My mind had stayed occupied with the logistics and getting myself in shape and up until I was alone in the car with no more planning or anything else to keep me occupied did I start to worry if I was biting off more than I could chew.

Thankfully both times any jitters disappeared as soon as I pushed away from shore. At that point there was no point in worrying. All I could do was do it. My mind had a focus again: finding my way across the lake to the first portage.

Both trips went great and even though the second trip didn't go exactly as planned keeping a clear mind and making good decisions kept everything moving forward.

Alan

I did my first solo two years ago, a two week trip in WCPP. On my drive up to Red Lake I experienced what I would describe as trepidation. In hindsight I think it was more that I didn't have anyone to share the experience with. My rational side said that there was nothing to be afraid of but doing something new can sometimes be concerning......until we do it and find out there's nothing different other than doing it alone. Let's face it, we're social animals and tend to seek companionship.

After two days I was fine and as an added bonus it seemed as if I was one with nature .
I can't add anything to the good advice already given but would like to emphasize the slowing down portion. You are free to wander.

Remember, even if you win the rat race you're still a rat.

Enjoy your trip and safe travels........Mike

Good Luck and have fun!!!! You will have a great trip.

I've done 5 solo trips and I was a nervous wreck leading up to the 1st one, especially on the drive up to Ely and then to the Entry Point......
In addition to being my first solo trip.... it was also my first time paddling in a solo canoe.

As others have shared....... half way to the first portage I was calm as could be.

My 1st solo was more of a "test to myself to see if I could do it". I ended up absolutely loving solo tripping.

mpeebles: "I did my first solo two years ago, a two week trip in WCPP. On my drive up to Red Lake I experienced what I would describe as trepidation. In hindsight I think it was more that I didn't have anyone to share the experience with.
"

This is very well said. I think one of the best parts of planning a tandem trip is all of the discussions leading up to it. When you are on your own it all ends up on you and there is nobody else to bounce it off of. Never really thought about it this way until now. Thanks for the bit of clarity! :)

Lots of good insight before me. Normal feelings.

--I always bring a journal along and spend the last few hours of light writing. It occupies my mind and can be fun reading years later.
--I have also started bringing a small radio along (tip that I picked up here). The voices and weather can help on solo at times.

Enjoy!

bfurlow: "

mpeebles: "I did my first solo two years ago, a two week trip in WCPP. On my drive up to Red Lake I experienced what I would describe as trepidation. In hindsight I think it was more that I didn't have anyone to share the experience with.
"

This is very well said. I think one of the best parts of planning a tandem trip is all of the discussions leading up to it. When you are on your own it all ends up on you and there is nobody else to bounce it off of. Never really thought about it this way until now. Thanks for the bit of clarity! :)"

Yeah, solo trips can be a journey through different emotions. I usually go for 10-12 nights and my last true solo was in 2017. I didn't bring the dog on that one and I started out by feeling sick for the first 3-4 days. I was really low but climbed out of that and by the end I was happy and full of confidence. That's the short version but you get the idea. Having a radio and a good book does help.

I found my trip report and here's the link for what it's worth.
2017 Quetico Solo

I write a lot in a journal too, muddy, and take pictures, look at maps. Just look at things around camp, observe wildlife. I spent over an hour last fall watching some unusual loon behavior that was fascinating.

GraniteCliffs: "Nervousness is good. And normal. It may help you travel and camp safely. I am always more conservative when I am solo. More careful on the portages, stick close to shore more often, use less alcohol and have my PLB in my pocket at all times just in case.
I think most folks find that nervousness quickly morphs into excitement once you get going. Like others have said there is a joy in doing whatever you want, whenever you want. Complete freedom. My time. I love to paddle great distances following the shore very closely just listening, staring at the woods, looking at the lake bottom and studying the sky reflections on the water. It brings me great peace.
With all of your experience you, too, will find that going alone will allow the nervousness to fade into a sense of calm and joy.
Have a wonderful trip and embrace the nervousness!"

Hear, hear for "...joy in doing whatever you want, whenever you want. Complete freedom."

I've done a 93-day solo and a 49-day solo. Two summers back, I did a 21-day solo. The first night or two I get the heebie-jeebies. The woods are noisy at night and being alone magnifies those sounds. Then you settle in, plus you get tuckered as you have to do all the work, so being tired helps you sleep.

As others noted, a little anxiety is healthy. Watch your feet when you're on land and hug shorelines when you can, but not too close, lest you collide with a sunken rock or tree. Most of all, enjoy being able to do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it without having to ask, consult, or dicker.

Thanks everyone! I'm off the board for a couple weeks now.
Be well, all! I'll keep your kind advice in my heart and in my head. Paddle on! Woo!

Enjoy Jillpine. I will look for your trip report.

I will probably be out on the water when you get back. Taking my son on his first canoe adventure....talk about jitters! I am trying so hard to make it fun and enjoyable so he gets hooked.

Have fun! You're going to enjoy this trip :).

Can't wait to hear how things went!

I've very similar though. Before each large adventure, I get the jitters. As someone else said, those go away on the first paddle, or peddle, or as soon as I arrive in the parking lot.

I'd like to add that JP is a great addition to BWCA.com.

missmolly: "I'd like to add that JP is a great addition to BWCA.com. "

Hey thank you, but I'd immediately deflect that to BWCA.com being a great addition to my tripping arsenal. The solo experience was two-thumbs up and will be amplified and augmented starting immediately, hopefully for a long time to come. Re-organizing today, then headed back in tomorrow.
MissMolly, you may be disappointed to learn that I think I will no longer be fishing except in the little ponds and streams at home. It has lost it allure for me (no pun intended, although that is pretty apropos). I had a very difficult time retrieving a snagged lure after the old rod snapped in half. Not wanting to just leave it, I wrestled with it for a good hour or so, nearly dumping a couple of times. I am still processing the message, but I think it may be time to leave fishing poles (and canids) at home, at least for a while.

Enjoyed your sharing of the process of beginning solo and your first experience. I can feel your joy in your words.

If fishing has lost its allure, it seems like you have more than a mild interest in birds. Maybe good binoculars and a field guide could replace the fishing gear. I started carrying my full-sized 8x42s and have them at hand in the canoe and in camp. I enjoy finding and birding different habitats on lay-over days. Routes with both older forest and recovering burned areas are prime.

I was pretty sure you'd have little trouble with the jitters after you got going and probably enjoy it. I hope it's a little bit less busy this time and even quieter.

I also quit fishing after a couple of solos and several other people have reported the same. It's just more difficult, especially if it's windy. It's odd some of the things - maybe fishing is one of them - that seem to have more of a social component than I'd have imagined. I decided after some reports on food - not eating as much as normal - that the missing social aspect was part of it. I also rarely build a fire anymore and that's possibly part of it. I did a couple of trips under fire bans/restrictions too and didn't really miss it.

Enjoy the next one!

>>>my full-sized 8x42s and have them at hand in the canoe and in camp<<<
Ironically, I left mine at home this time in favor of a lighter weight monocular. ;?

Perfect idea about burn areas (and old growth for those warblers!). Sedges, if you're into a birding and are near WI, check out Straight Lake State Park for old-growth birding in the tension zone. Phenomenal!

boonie: "I was pretty sure you'd have little trouble with the jitters after you got going and probably enjoy it. I hope it's a little bit less busy this time and even quieter.


I also quit fishing after a couple of solos and several other people have reported the same. It's just more difficult, especially if it's windy. It's odd some of the things - maybe fishing is one of them - that seem to have more of a social component than I'd have imagined. I decided after some reports on food - not eating as much as normal - that the missing social aspect was part of it. I also rarely build a fire anymore and that's possibly part of it. I did a couple of trips under fire bans/restrictions too and didn't really miss it.


Enjoy the next one!"

+1 to all of this - so articulate! It pinpoints all of it. I don't think I even entered the "kitchen area" except to dry shoes and socks and to stargaze. It was a "lonesome" area, full of memories that I didn't want to dwell too much on, as I was trying to create new ones. I stayed clear and also had no fires.
And what you said about the social aspect of both appetite and fishing - also very true. I thought about not only increasing the birding aspect as Sedges said, but also the flora. Get better at really knowing the plants there, not just guessing or knowing the same old six. Also, the stars. And endless ways to adjust and hang a tarp. And I even gave some fleeting thought to photography - fleeting. Very fleeting. Probably not. I also thought about TomT's query if solo paddlers enjoy company at night. My preference would be company on the water, and alone at night. :)

I'll check out the Straight Lake SP next time I head north. Most of my birding is in the southern Appalachians and the Atlanta Coast in SC and GA.

I highly recommend a stop at Sugarloaf Nature Center when they are having a bird banding session. Looks like every Friday morning this summer. I plan my trips so I come out the day before banding day, stay in Grand Marais and get to the nature center early on my way home.

https://sugarloafnorthshore.org/

sedges: "I'll check out the Straight Lake SP next time I head north. Most of my birding is in the southern Appalachians and the Atlanta Coast in SC and GA.


I highly recommend a stop at Sugarloaf Nature Center when they are having a bird banding session. Looks like every Friday morning this summer. I plan my trips so I come out the day before banding day, stay in Grand Marais and get to the nature center early on my way home.


https://sugarloafnorthshore.org/"

I saw that you did this in a previous posting. It was really informative. Sedges, have you been to Hawk Ridge in the fall? If not, you really need to go. It is definitely worth a trip north - trust me! I would love to bird in SC and GA in the brackish waters that we don't have up here. I love Savannah. What a lovely area. Also, the gulf coast - amazing! Also, one other birding tip - my wife and I went through North Dakota to visit our son in Manitoba this summer. The potholes are a treasure trove!! Pintails, ruddies, spoonbills, avocets, you name it. Highly recommend! I kept thinking as we passed each one, "I could sink the canoe there."