You may be suffering from an uncommon personality disorder, depending on which of the following traits you exhibit:

1. You prefer to be alone in the woods.
2. You prefer to be alone on the water.
3. You prefer to be alone in the woods at night.
4. You seek out opportunities to be outdoors in inclement weather, because it discourages others from doing so.
5. You prefer not to see anyone at all when you’re outdoors - including the members of this forum. :-)

I have all of those...especially number 4.

I also prefer the company of my dogs over humans.

I think I'm in recovery because while I still crave all of those things I plan meet ups with other solos too. And when on a dedicated solo, I seem to start missing others around day 6.

gravelroad: "

1. You prefer to be alone in the woods vs. with someone with type A personality.
2. You prefer to be alone on the water vs. with someone who insists everyone do it their way or it is wrong.
3. You prefer to be alone in the woods at night vs. someone who thinks there must be a campfire, tarp, and never shuts up.
4. You seek out opportunities to be outdoors in inclement weather, because it prepares you for when the weather is bad and you have no choice but to be in it.
5. I prefer to travel alone because it makes it more likely I will interact with other groups and they with me. "

I fixed it for me.

SPD; who would have known? Love it!

i'd rather camp by myself, than not at all because you can't find others to go with.
the part of group camping that annoys me. is the hurry up and wait. others can't wake up in the morning, can't get their bags packed, they just lully gag around waiting for someone else to do everything.
i do have #4, liking to hear the rain on the tent and crisp tempatures.
life is short and need to see what is around the next bay. i need to explore. i love the dip of the paddle or the thump of the portage.

blackdawg9: "i'd rather camp by myself, than not at all because you can't find others to go with.
the part of group camping that annoys me. is the hurry up and wait. others can't wake up in the morning, can't get their bags packed, they just lully gag around waiting for someone else to do everything.
i do have #4, liking to hear the rain on the tent and crisp tempatures.
life is short and need to see what is around the next bay. i need to explore. i love the dip of the paddle or the thump of the portage."

Not finding any takers was how I got started with soloing. And yes, the group dynamic is significantly different. In a group its hard to really immerse oneself in the sounds and it becomes more people oriented. On a solo it's just you and the natural world. I really dig that to a point. After 10 nights of solo I start craving company.

gravelroad: "You may be suffering from an uncommon personality disorder, depending on which of the following traits you exhibit:

1. You prefer to be alone in the woods.
2. You prefer to be alone on the water.
3. You prefer to be alone in the woods at night.
4. You seek out opportunities to be outdoors in inclement weather, because it discourages others from doing so.
5. You prefer not to see anyone at all when you’re outdoors - including the members of this forum. :-)"

True poetry right there.

If you had not wrote that, I would have thought that I wrote that.

5. Watching other people muddle about in the morning while all you want to do is get on the water deflates the whole day.


Tom

TomT: "

blackdawg9: "i'd rather camp by myself, than not at all because you can't find others to go with.
the part of group camping that annoys me. is the hurry up and wait. others can't wake up in the morning, can't get their bags packed, they just lully gag around waiting for someone else to do everything.
i do have #4, liking to hear the rain on the tent and crisp tempatures.
life is short and need to see what is around the next bay. i need to explore. i love the dip of the paddle or the thump of the portage."

Not finding any takers was how I got started with soloing. And yes, the group dynamic is significantly different. In a group its hard to really immerse oneself in the sounds and it becomes more people oriented. On a solo it's just you and the natural world. I really dig that to a point. After 10 nights of solo I start craving company."

My situation (re: soloing) is similar to yours TomT. I went on my own when others had plans and I just needed to get out in the woods.

Can anyone re-find that picture of the back of a person in a canoe at night, paddling off by himself? Something about being solo... It was in a thread about a month or so ago. Can't find it and sure liked it.
The post reminded me of this picture.

jillpine: "Can anyone re-find that picture of the back of a person in a canoe at night, paddling off by himself? Something about being solo... It was in a thread about a month or so ago. Can't find it and sure liked it.
The post reminded me of this picture.
"

Is this it? https://photos.bwca.com/k/KNOOZER-171007-185918.JPG

jillpine: "Can anyone re-find that picture of the back of a person in a canoe at night, paddling off by himself? Something about being solo... It was in a thread about a month or so ago. Can't find it and sure liked it.
The post reminded me of this picture.
"

Or was it this? That I posted.

butthead

I think I have some version of this. I prefer solo trips (strongly). However, I don't mind seeing people, or even chatting with them. I might prefer that I didn't, but it doesn't bother me.
I love to solo because of the challenge and satisfaction of self sufficiency. The feeling of being in tune with nature around day 4 or 5. Other benefits are like others mentioned, do what you want, when you want.
My longest trip has been 8 nights, and 4 days straight without seeing another person, and I have yet to feel a need to reconnect with others. This year was to be 14 or 15 nights in the Q, but I am now researching a trip in the BWCA, so going days without contact is less likely.

I have spent over two years solo in Q and a month in WC so I must have all of it - and maybe even more. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Obviously the Q is my second home and I don’t know what I will do when my time is up. The whole experience is part of my reason for living. Whether it is the canoeing , the lakes, the fishing, the forest, the shield or the wildlife, I will never forget it. I start planning my next trip the week after I leave. The shear joy of solo accomplishment and meeting your objectives is worth the loneliness. Whether you are scared by location, injury, equipment failure, animal or weather, the great adventure more than offsets these negatives. I will continue to dip my paddle until I can’t hold it. I still look forward to meeting other solos as long as it isn’t too often. My record is 17 days without human contact. Co is or no Co I’d I will paddle somewhere this summer.

jillpine: "Can anyone re-find that picture of the back of a person in a canoe at night, paddling off by himself? Something about being solo... It was in a thread about a month or so ago. Can't find it and sure liked it.
The post reminded me of this picture.
"

Is this it?

Jfarrell: "

jillpine: "Can anyone re-find that picture of the back of a person in a canoe at night, paddling off by himself? Something about being solo... It was in a thread about a month or so ago. Can't find it and sure liked it.
The post reminded me of this picture.
"

Is this it? "

Yes! Thank you. And thanks to the earlier tries. Also cool pics.
This is the one I was thinking of.

butthead: "

jillpine: "Can anyone re-find that picture of the back of a person in a canoe at night, paddling off by himself? Something about being solo... It was in a thread about a month or so ago. Can't find it and sure liked it.
The post reminded me of this picture.
"

Or was it this? That I posted.


butthead"

No it wasn't but it's a great picture butthead. Is it you? Is that a firebird?

jillpine: "

Jfarrell: "

jillpine: "Can anyone re-find that picture of the back of a person in a canoe at night, paddling off by himself? Something about being solo... It was in a thread about a month or so ago. Can't find it and sure liked it.
The post reminded me of this picture.
"

Is this it? "

Yes! Thank you. And thanks to the earlier tries. Also cool pics.
This is the one I was thinking of.
"

This is actually the background on my computers at home and work.

jillpine: "Can anyone re-find that picture of the back of a person in a canoe at night, paddling off by himself? Something about being solo... It was in a thread about a month or so ago. Can't find it and sure liked it.
The post reminded me of this picture.
"

I have this printed out and hanging in my office.

Nobody gets it...

JW

jillpine: "

butthead: "

jillpine: "Can anyone re-find that picture of the back of a person in a canoe at night, paddling off by himself? Something about being solo... It was in a thread about a month or so ago. Can't find it and sure liked it.
The post reminded me of this picture.
"

Or was it this? That I posted.



butthead"

No it wasn't but it's a great picture butthead. Is it you? Is that a firebird? "

Not me but I took it of my friend heading home from the island camp Adams Lake. PJ is paddling a Wenonah Voyager. The photo was made into a cover photo for Sorry it took me so long to respond.

butthead

gravelroad hit the nail on the head for me....nothing better than the just the natural sounds of your environment, the pace you choose, and any destination you desire. I’m also one for inclement weather, being solo amongst mother nature’s more trying faces only enhances the experience, making the trip that much more memorable. There’s a certain feeling of accomplishment that comes along with completing anything solo, from a day on your local river to a week or more living out of the hull....

going after breakfast