BWCA Trip Report - Kickapoo Valley Mini-Solo Boundary Waters Trip Reports
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09/20/2011 02:27PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
New Trip Report posted by nojobro

Trip Name: Kickapoo Valley Mini-Solo.

Entry Point: Other

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09/20/2011 03:14PM  
Congratulations on the solo! Even if it did include a packer game. lol. So you are ready for a Bdub solo?
The frog definitely makes one think. You never know what is upstream in that cool, tasty natural spring water!
09/20/2011 04:20PM  
Ha ha. Yeah, the Packer game was unexpected. I read my book while I had my burger, so I didn't care what was on TV. ;-)

Yes, I am ready for a BW solo.

The frog was gross. And that water was very good, so it was too bad. It was really cold, and I had to go and heat it up. It was still good boiled (which is why I know it must have been really good unboiled...although...a tad froggish).

It was neat seeing the water gush out of the ground though. It was really flowing. Springs are cool.
billconner
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09/20/2011 04:30PM  
Congratulations! Plunge ahead with a B'dub solo - even if I would recommend a Q solo. The first step or stroke is the hardest - or maybe actually getting in the canoe and pushing off alone - but not that hard really. I found that with one person, you have so much to do and think about you are not thinking about being alone.

(I'll check out the Kickapoo - thanks - sort of looking at Pecatonica right now.)
09/20/2011 04:36PM  
Congratulations Nola! It sounds like a great trip despite the rain. It took some real stamina to hike in all that way. I am glad you are more confident in going alone now in preparation for a BWCA solo.

Did John get questioned about why you weren't at his cousin's wedding? Did he tell everyone you had a prior commitment or did he say "She is sitting out in the woods by herself"

The valley must get it's name from what you have to do to the horse droppings on the trail.
09/20/2011 07:25PM  
Bill, I have heard good things about the Pecatonica; if you go, I would love to hear about it.

Zulu, I don't know what John told them. I will have to find out. But, his most annoying aunt did ask him why his own kids do not look like him. His answer shocked her a bit and got her to shut up, but maybe I should take offense? He said, "because my wife slept around and they aren't mine."

(I'm okay with it because it's not true....and what type of person ASKS a question like that in the first place?! An annoying old bat, that's who.)

We were not going to go to the wedding at all, which is why I felt okay going camping then. But then his mom talked him into it.
09/20/2011 07:41PM  
Oh and my thoughts lean more and more toward a woodland caribou solo than anything else, actually. Though I admit the thought of no one coming along for days does kind of concern me. At least in the BW if I get into trouble I would think to myself that at least someone would come along eventually. ;-)
waterdog
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09/20/2011 08:30PM  
Congratulations. A solo is a solo is a solo.... And you did it.
Take a boat next time. Kickapoo is a great paddle - especially when the water is high and fast (but not flooding).
09/20/2011 08:46PM  
quote waterdog: "Congratulations. A solo is a solo is a solo.... And you did it.
Take a boat next time. Kickapoo is a great paddle - especially when the water is high and fast (but not flooding)."


I would have if I had one that weighed far less than 80 pounds. ;-)
09/21/2011 06:38AM  
It's very cool that you went out and did this. I admire your "stick to it-tiveness" nature. Miss the pics though... I think you're all set for the BW next year.
SevenofNine
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09/21/2011 08:24AM  
Thanks for sharing your adventure. Nice trip report on hiking with too much gear. :)

I admire your courage to do something most people find difficult.
09/21/2011 08:24AM  
Congratulations on your first solo - a great achievement. It sounds like you're ready for a canoe solo trip - paddling will add to the adventure!
09/21/2011 10:51AM  
Yay for you!!!!! Two books in one weekend - you are a lucky duck.

What kind of packs did you use, may I ask? Curious, as I've done backpack trips with my canoe packs, but never owned a backpacking pack. What was the stuff you wished you didn't bring?

I say your BW solo should be Angleworm, since you already have that 6 mile thing whipped ;)

Well done!
09/21/2011 06:59PM  
Nola....you rock.
SunCatcher
09/22/2011 08:52AM  
quote BWPaddler: "Yay for you!!!!! Two books in one weekend - you are a lucky duck.


What kind of packs did you use, may I ask? Curious, as I've done backpack trips with my canoe packs, but never owned a backpacking pack. What was the stuff you wished you didn't bring?


I say your BW solo should be Angleworm, since you already have that 6 mile thing whipped ;)


Well done!"


Ha ha...I actually would consider Angleworm now, but probably not solo. But solo would be good for bragging rights, eh? ;-) I could just plan on it taking an entire day...

I have an internal frame pack that I bought from REI back in the 90s sometime. Probably '97. Then I was using another REI internal frame pack, a "Venus." That pack was far more comfortable than my own pack. I don't know if I have my own pack adjusted properly or what. I thought I did, but the diffrence was huge. I think I will go to REI with my own pack and ask them about helping me fit it. Because the Venus pack was way more comfortable with MORE weight in it than the other pack was.

I had too much food and brought half of my food back to the car. I don't know if I can tell you exactly what else I put in the pack that went back to the car on the second day. I don't know why I already can't remember. ;-)
TuscaroraBorealis
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09/22/2011 09:38AM  
Very nice report.

Congrats on the covetous one match fire. :)

A nice trip & great learning experience. I think it will be fun for you to look back at this adventure as your solo skills & confidence continue to grow.

So besides Angleworm, what ideas do you have for a BWCA solo??? ;-}
09/23/2011 02:19PM  
Great trip Nola. Now that you have a taste for camping by yourself, what's in store for the future?
09/23/2011 09:37PM  
Congratulations on your trip, nice report. I liked the one match fire and it is always nice to be able to forget your troubles and just enjoy the scenery and read a good book. I liked your bear claw too. I think a solo is a good way to show your kids that strong independence is a good family value. Absence makes the heart grow fonder!
09/25/2011 06:17PM  
Confession on the fire...I did have a little wax starter thing that helped out. But it was little, I swear. It was a freebie thing I picked up at canoecopia last year.
09/25/2011 07:07PM  
quote nojobro: "
I had too much food and brought half of my food back to the car. I don't know if I can tell you exactly what else I put in the pack that went back to the car on the second day. I don't know why I already can't remember. ;-)"


I think we are so afraid of going hungry or something most of us do bring in way to much food. I know Jan said he wasn't that hungry out there and brought out food because of that. I eat well and still carry out a lot. Way to go on the solo... Glad you were able to do it. After the horse poop incident you could get a new desert called Horse Apples to rival the Moose Plums going.
bapabear
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09/26/2011 03:24PM  
Thank you for sharing. I trout fish various branches of the Kickapoo and am familiar with the area. I keep talking with friends about canoeing that river and now feel more compelled to do so. Great job.
09/26/2011 03:31PM  
quote nojobro: "Confession on the fire...I did have a little wax starter thing that helped out. But it was little, I swear. It was a freebie thing I picked up at canoecopia last year. "

I take back my congratulations on the one match fire. My Wife told me once she only clicked the long Bic lighter once. That didn't count either!
09/26/2011 03:59PM  
quote BoxofRain: "
quote nojobro: "Confession on the fire...I did have a little wax starter thing that helped out. But it was little, I swear. It was a freebie thing I picked up at canoecopia last year. "

I take back my congratulations on the one match fire. My Wife told me once she only clicked the long Bic lighter once. That didn't count either!"


Hey, I used a paper match from a matchbook. Is that a plus? ;-)
 
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