BWCA First Solo Boundary Waters Group Forum: Solo Tripping
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Boppasteveg
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05/25/2021 03:35PM  
Hey gang,

I decided back in December to treat myself (in my 60th trip 'round the sun this year) to my first ever solo trip. I've never paddled a solo canoe and will be renting a Royalex Wilderness.

Go ahead with any tips that might help me. I do have many years experience paddling tandem.

Also...if any of you have a solo boat you'd allow me to try out to, uhm..."get my feet wet" and are in the Twin Cities area I would very much appreciate it!
 
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05/25/2021 10:03PM  
Congrats! First thing thing is be observant of the weight in your packs. Unless you're base camping, it can get fatiguing with heavy loads. Sometimes I'll eliminate by bigger chair (sunsetter) and go with a lighter one. A few solos I didn't take a fry pan so it was basically oatmeal, gorp, etc. and dried foods that I rehydrate. For fish I wrap fillets in foil and put on coals.

I don't bring an axe but always a good saw for blowdown or collecting firewood. Bring extra maps, glasses. I wear glasses and the last thing I would ever want is to ruin or lose them and not be able to read a map when solo. :)

For sure keep a journal/log. Know it could take a couple days to relax and enjoy the trip. It took me about 4 solos before I really could relax both day and night. My first 2 were in my 20's then 2 in my 40's were better. But in my 50's is when I felt like I got it right. Let us know how it goes.
 
05/26/2021 06:46AM  
I'd echo the good advice that Tom has given. You do everything, carry everything, so I've tended towards KISS. Eating is not a social activity when solo and mine has evolved to very simple.

You should pick up solo paddling pretty quickly with your experience. I like to have a spare paddle and take both a double blade and single blade for switching things up. Be careful getting in and out - step on the center line, hands on gunwales, weight low. There's nobody to hold the canoe while you get in/out, load/unload. Don't forget some painters - I never found an outfitter who provided them with a rental. You'll need to watch the canoe trim and adjust slightly for different wind. You'll have to attach the yoke at each portage since it goes pretty much right in front of the seat where the balance point is.

I don't know how long your trip is, but I think longer is better. I've experienced and noticed among others, a lot of evolution in solo trips. I think there's more variation in trips - styles, activities, etc. - than there is in group trips. Just because you can do whatever you want, whatever way you want, whenever you want.

You'll find lots of discussion of things on the solo forum by scrolling through or searching for specific topics.

Have a good trip.
 
05/26/2021 07:39AM  
For the BWCA I'd steer you to Kelvar most of the time...that Royalex boat is 20+ lbs of extra weight.

Like the others, I think less is more when soloing.

Trim can be an issue, so splitting the load front & back is helpful. If you're in one pack & trying to single portage, consider a dry bag that you fill with water... Pack goes behind, clip the full dry bag to the front thwart to provide balance and adjust as necessary. If the boat has a sliding tractor seat that will help but probably not enough to deal with a heavy pack behind with nothing in front.
 
MidwestFirecraft
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05/26/2021 08:09AM  
I really like the idea that you want to try a solo before paddling one on a wilderness canoe trip. I've had three and sold them all or would happily let you test them out. I will echo what SNS said in that a 50 pound solo is heavy. Let's also not forget that dedicated narrow solo canoes are a relatively new invention. My Kevlar solo/tandem is 32 inches wide at the Gunwale and 37 pounds. You may consider renting a Quetico 16 and paddling from the bow seat. You won't have to worry about your pack not fitting (Granite Gear Superior One), mine never fit, and you won't have to worry about being in such (tippy) paddle station. Will you be more subject to the wind? Yes, but as a solo paddler you need to be mindful of the wind and with your pack all the way forward, or a rock for fishing I have never had a problem. At the very least I would suggest bringing a double blade. Just some food for thought. Either way I hope your trip goes smoothly and you have a wonderful time.
 
Boppasteveg
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05/26/2021 08:44AM  
Ok...thanks for the responses. And now I will be more truthful about my plans...
This isn't going to be a "canoe trip" in the way that you may envision. That is, staying at multiple campsites on different lakes. I'm going to base-camp alone on Red Rock for a week. If necessary I will move into Alpine but the hope is to stay on RR. I'm getting a tow up to Red Rock Bay and then of course it is just one short skip and a jump into RR.

Please don't think less of me for doing it this way. I have my reasons.

 
05/26/2021 09:27AM  
Boppasteveg: "Please don't think less of me for doing it this way. I have my reasons."

No worries, we each have our own way. Good for you for trying solo.

I agree with nearly everything said above. I'll just add that while a good number of solo paddlers do like a double blade, I do not. I have one and tried it, and just prefer a canoe paddle. It's a matter of personal preference you figure out from trying. I do bring a spare paddle. Aside from the possibility of breaking, there are multiple ways a paddle can get away from you, leaving you without power. Last week I had my straight blade leaning up against a tree near the shore - seemed very stationary - and a puff of wind knocked it over. It slid down the rock face and right into the water. Fortunately I was right there and used a fishing rod to pull it back, otherwise it might have been on its way to Canada.

Leads me to my second point - bring a rope as a painter line and ALWAYS tie your canoe to something - both at portages and at night. Its just amazingly easy for them to get away leaving you getting ready to swim or standing on shore hoping someone comes by (which could be days depending on where you are).

Lastly, if you do get a chance to get out an paddle a solo before your trip (or when up there fishing) remember that an empty boat is less stable than a loaded one.

Good luck and have fun.

 
05/26/2021 09:32AM  
Hey, it's a solo, it's your solo. You're the judge, not us :). That's what solo trips are for.

Solo canoes are more stable with a load. You may want to take some "ballast" on day trips and be mindful of trim if windy. I hope you get the opportunity to test paddle before your trip.

Indulge yourself. Go to bed/get up when you want. Take a good book. Enjoy your naps. :)
 
05/26/2021 09:40AM  
So your intention to basecamp changes things somewhat. You'll have plenty of free time, so you might as well take a chair and/or a hammock. Definitely take a tarp. I'd take a couple of books. If you enjoy photography, make some plans to do that and include a list of pictures you want to take. If you like to fish, you now can do that on your own schedule.
 
WHendrix
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05/26/2021 09:55AM  
OK, I'll chip in here ad offer a chance for you to paddle a solo canoe before you go. I live in River Falls and would be happy to meet you someplace in the Metro area for a test run. I paddle a Northwind Solo. Let me know if you would like to try it out.
 
LoopyLoons
member (44)member
  
05/26/2021 01:41PM  
I have never paddled a true solo canoe. I have a 1988 16' Penobscot weighs in about #60. I paddle it in reverse and that has worked just fine for me. I live in Eau Clarie if your in the area you can try it out.
 
mjmkjun
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05/26/2021 05:36PM  
double blades are good performers in solo canoes. make sure it's long enough for you. too short no good. adjustable is nice.
eat out the pot you cooked in.
I get stir-crazy if I basecamp. How many ways to rig a tarp? ha! Good suggestion on a book.
everything relies on you alone. be sure-footed and calculated in movement.
common sense applied/take no risks are golden for a measure of safety.
I paddle a UL Prism (34 lbs) w/dbl blade and only do solos. If a route were to have short portages and big lake(s) I'd prefer a Royalex Wilderness. Xtra weight is a plus paddling out to fish in a canoe empty of gear. I bounced around real good in that Prism when the wind kicked up. One can always add stones from the shoreline for added weight.
 
Boppasteveg
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05/26/2021 06:26PM  
WHendrix: "OK, I'll chip in here ad offer a chance for you to paddle a solo canoe before you go. I live in River Falls and would be happy to meet you someplace in the Metro area for a test run. I paddle a Northwind Solo. Let me know if you would like to try it out."


That would work - even in RF where my sister lives! I'll be in contact! Thank you!
 
05/26/2021 08:02PM  
The hardest part to solo tripping is the mental aspect. Some people need the comraderie of company and can't handle being alone. If you can get by that you'll discover that going solo is a very rewarding experience. Do as you please, when you please and to be honest is my preferred way to trip.
 
05/26/2021 08:17PM  
I have done over 50 solo trips and have never used a solo canoe. I usually average two and half to three weeks so I have plenty of weight. I sit in the stern with my fishing line in the water and my three packs (day, food & equipment) in front of me. I have to occasionally move forward and kneel in a strong cross wind but not for long. Anyway it’s simply the way I enjoy traveling so there are options.
 
straighthairedcurly
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05/30/2021 11:15PM  
Welcome to the solo world! I think you'll like it. I did my first one last summer for my 56th birthday and I am going again this year to celebrate my 57th. Since you don't plan to move around to different lakes, I won't bore you with all the ways I have been learning to cut weight compared to my tandem or group trips. However, since on a solo you are the only one doing chores, I find simple meals are more enjoyable. I cook "just add boiling water" meals mostly and eat them directly out of whatever vessel I cook them in.

I bring a double bladed and a single bladed paddle. I tend to prefer the double bladed. Maybe because I was a kayaker for years.

But I will offer you the chance to hop in a solo. I paddle on Lake Owasso (Roseville/Shoreview area) so if that is convenient, send me a message. I have a Mad River Slipper. It has a similar weight to the one you will be using so you can see what it feels like.
 
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