My solo went well until it didn't. I had great weather and saw many a moose and my first wolf.

I really enjoyed meeting Boonie and spending the first 24 hours of my trip with him. Also all the others we met in Two Harbors and GM the day before we put in.

A planned 22 day turned out to be only 12 due to a unsettling case of vertigo. I've had it a few times in my life, but never while tripping.

It started on Day 8, but was really mild and fleeting in the morning for Day 8 and 9. It got much worse on Day 10. I was heading from Tuscarora north and planning on making it to Paulson that day. By the time I got to French, I decided it was getting a bit unsafe and wasn't subsiding like the first two days, so I decided to swing back south towards Sawbill and hope it would resolve itself before I got there. Long story short, it did not, but I made it out without too much drama.

I do feel like the trip was a success even though it didn't go as planned. I'm starting to feel like I should stop posting my trip length as I am 0 for 2 on making my intended exit date.

I also saw a lot of solo'ers out there on this trip. I am horrible at remembering names, but I do remember "lurker", you know who you are. If you had given me your name, I probably would not have remembered it. I wish I hadn't felt like I was in a hurry to get on Gaskin because as soon as I started portaging, questions I wish I would have asked you came into my mind. Like how long was your solo? Did you put coconut oil in coffee, meals or both? Entry point?

I hope to do a trip report, but it will probably be a while as I have final garden harvest and preserving.

Vertigo is a bummer. My partner has it and until she learned how to treat her variety it made walking difficult. How you managed paddling and portaging is beyond me. Hers is crystals in the inner ear fluid and she was referred to a physical therapist who taught her some positions and behaviors that help reduce the crystals (over simplified). She seldom has episodes and gets on top of them so they do not last. Hope your problem can be fixed that easily.
Until then, the exit date is target and last likely to get back to life at home before problems start date. I generally do not stay until the last day either.

Yeah I have the same vertigo as your partner. I did do the exercises but they didn't give me relief after second day. The exercises are to trigger the vertigo over and over to loosen up the crystals and are very nauseating and suck to do. They usually do work though. I think I had a minor ear infection too. A course of antibiotics and prednisone did the job. Next time I will be bringing both with me just in case.

When you mention “vertigo” I will assume it is BPPV, that dogs most of us. One of the things the Doc’s don’t always tell the patients is about caffeine. If you bump up your normal intake during a canoe trip as most of us do, it can trigger a couple of day’s worth of head problems.

I have had this issue for 20 years or more, but I am fortunate it is only while sleeping and lasts about 10 seconds. I actually sort of enjoy the brief, wild ride because I know it will be over quickly.

MB

MossBack: "When you mention “vertigo” I will assume it is BPPV, that dogs most of us. One of the things the Doc’s don’t always tell the patients is about caffeine. If you bump up your normal intake during a canoe trip as most of us do, it can trigger a couple of day’s worth of head problems.


I have had this issue for 20 years or more, but I am fortunate it is only while sleeping and lasts about 10 seconds. I actually sort of enjoy the brief, wild ride because I know it will be over quickly.


MB
"

You are correct

I’ve had some mild vertigo and done exercises to align my crystals. I have some medication induced vertigo at times. It doesn’t sound as severe as yours. I was hoping it didn’t cause any bad falls.

What about the Wolf, any details!

lol, I'm the "lurker". Bummer you didn't get to stay as long as you had hoped. Glad you made it out safely. I was there for 6 days, entered at EP 44 and exited at EP 43. 4 days of travel and 2 days of relaxing. Day 3 I fought the wind on Brule, finally making it to the first open site only to find a note from the previous group indicating they had had a bear come into camp a couple of times. Rested for a bit and pressed on. I saw my first wolf last spring, very cool! I added coconut oil to my coffee and used it for making eggs which made them super yummy. Trying not to get into the habit at home since the jury is still out on its effect on LDL.

campnfish: "What about the Wolf, any details!"

I will write it in my trip report. It was an awesome but brief experience.


Fox416, I have looked at doing that route several times. I may do something in that area again next year. Sounds like you had a good trip with some drama thrown in. I think one of the things I like about tripping is when things don't go as planned and I need to change plans. any change you will do a trip report?
You know how food goes what was healthy for you last year will kill you this year and vise versa. I can tell you that I have eaten a high saturated/unsaturated fat diet for the last 1.5 years and my cholesterol and blood pressure have gone down. I avoid trans fats and carbs for the most part. Of course no/low carb is near impossible when it come to BWCA meals. I also do intermittent fasting. It works for me and I feel better than I have in years. It also cleared up my acid reflux and I've lost and kept off 20 lbs, so bonus!