I keep trying to plan a solo, then people ask to join the trip and I say yes. Now I have two trips in the works that are tandem. But I decided that I really do want to do a long solo to the BWCA in the not too distant future! I’d rather post a trip report than talk about planning, but it might be as long as two years from now before I get the chance to go.

Anyhoo, I feel comfortable doing a three week trip with my experience level. I definitely want this to be a challenge to my packing and planning skills. Wish me luck on fitting it in!

Quit telling those people about it until you leave! ;) Given your intense desire to do one and a long one at that, I predict you will really enjoy it. I'm sure you've already searched and read and thought a lot about the challenges it presents, how to meet them, and what you hope to get out of it. It's hard to convey the totality of the experience to someone who hasn't done one. So what's the plan so far? :)

Thanks! Mum is the word! It’ll be a different experience from the usual trips for sure!

It will be different and will deepen as you become more settled into your daily routine. I think some miss that by doing a short first solo.

Make it happen, unlikely you will regret it. Each have their own rhythm and most of us report finding it between day 3 and 5 so if you can only get a week make it happen. Then stay longer when you can make that happen.

Plan but don't overplan. What I mean is there's so much information about campsites and portages out there, maybe leave some room for spontaneity. The big joy for me going solo is I can do whatever I want whenever I want. So don't have a stringent rigid itinerary. Leave some openings for adventure.

I like to plan a lot before I go, but once I’m on the water, I just go where I want I guess. Right now I’m trying to pick a time in my schedule where this trip will fit. So excited!

realandrea: "I like to plan a lot before I go, but once I’m on the water, I just go where I want I guess. Right now I’m trying to pick a time in my schedule where this trip will fit. So excited! "

That's my style, too. I never stick to my exact itinerary. Some days, I just want to keep paddling and other days I'm in the mood to stop early. In terms of campsites, when I am solo, I usually try to avoid the overused sites and seek out the smaller, more intimate sites. I prefer to have a lot of pine needles on the ground rather than the pulverized dust of a thousand feet.

Food would be the biggest hassle to my style of travel if I went for longer than 8-10 days. I can fit everything in one pack and single portage which is very nice if you travel in any areas with problem bears.

Do you have an idea of what areas you want to visit for this solo? New places or travel some favorite haunts?

I would like to cross the Border Route off my bucket list, but if it doesn’t work out, I’m going to check out Lac la Croix and see what that area has to offer. I tentatively have a ride lined up for next year, but that could always change.

Best of luck with the trip, I'd love to read a trip report upon completion!

Tony

realandrea: "I like to plan a lot before I go, but once I’m on the water, I just go where I want I guess. Right now I’m trying to pick a time in my schedule where this trip will fit. So excited! "

So many times I've made route plans and very rarely followed thru. So this falls solo plan is...
Enter Cross Bay sep. 6
Route, ida know
Days, till I run out of food or sept.15 (gotta go to pickup niece for weeks visit in the northland)
Return to same entry point Sept. 27 with a group of 5
Just go and be in the moment and enjoy it

Thanks, yea when I pull my permit, I'd better go through with it lol. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time.

realandrea: "I would like to cross the Border Route off my bucket list, but if it doesn’t work out, I’m going to check out Lac la Croix and see what that area has to offer. I tentatively have a ride lined up for next year, but that could always change."

Best trail in the state in my opinion.

I like the border route… but keep an eye on basswood. Most the other big lakes can keep you wind bound now and again… but that one can be a bugger for some. My buddy Lance was stuck there almost a week on his trip across.
I’ve gone down to wind lake via moose chain while going east to west. In fact my forty day trip had me doing loop da loops from east to west seeing a lot of lakes and rivers…
The best advice I can give you… always have a plan b, c and d… I never leave much of a trip plan. Cause I would never follow it. From experience… bring maps of areas you are not planning to paddle but may… or even be forced to should an area be closed due to fire or something.

nctry: "I like the border route… but keep an eye on basswood. Most the other big lakes can keep you wind bound now and again… but that one can be a bugger for some. My buddy Lance was stuck there almost a week on his trip across.
I’ve gone down to wind lake via moose chain while going east to west. In fact my forty day trip had me doing loop da loops from east to west seeing a lot of lakes and rivers…
The best advice I can give you… always have a plan b, c and d… I never leave much of a trip plan. Cause I would never follow it. From experience… bring maps of areas you are not planning to paddle but may… or even be forced to should an area be closed due to fire or something."

Thanks. I’ve never been on Basswood yet, and the info about carrying lots of maps is a good idea!