I'm getting a bit giddy about my upcoming solo up Nina-Moose. I haven't yet decided if I should go over to Iron and basecamp, or go up through Oyster through Pocket, down La Lac Crox and back. I have 8 days. I wonder if I'll make it that much time? Perhaps I won't be able to handle being alone in the woods? I know it happens, we will see.

So I have a lot of gear strewn upon my basement floor. I find myself removing things, putting them back, you all probably know the drill. I really want to get my kit down to a reasonable and safe load. I will be double portaging. I plan to fish a lot too. And just laze the afternoons away reading in my hammock.

I really am looking forward to doing what I want when I want it. No waiting for someone else to get up and get moving, no listening to whining about stuff. I am beginning to wonder if I'll even want to trip with others if this goes on well?

Not sure I have a point, just I'm itching for this adventure!

I would suggest the loop, you will have plenty of time and set your own pace.

quote GSP: "I would suggest the loop, you will have plenty of time and set your own pace."

I agree with GSP - this is a beautiful paddle from Oyster, which is a beautiful lake in and of itself, through Pocket, also a nice lake. To say nothing of Gebe and Rocky. You have all the time in the world to do this loop with days left over.

I hope you enjoy your first solo - you may become addicted to it. If you get lonely, just talk to yourself, the chipmunks, trees, rocks - there's nobody else there to hear you :).

Be sure to climb up to Top'O'the'World on your way in/out and enjoy the view over Nina Moose.

I agree...the Gebe, Rocky, Oyster area is a beautful area. Take yer time, and enjoy.

I'm entering at Lizz Lake of the Gunflint tomorrow morning about 11. I'm more than ready for some quality time with me, and the northwoods

You'll have a great time. May it be the best eight days of your life!

You could hike in to Rangeline too. I would do the loop but layover when you feel like it. Basecamping solo gives me the willies.

you will be amazed at what you can do in eight days. make sure you bring enough maps!!

When I solo I like to travel every day. I may only cross two or three lakes, but I travel. There is a lot of time to fill. Even with traveling everyday you'll still have lots of time for fishing, relaxing reading, etc ... provide you don't travel too far.

With a base camp, even for just a layover day, you may want to take a day trip. The problem I have with that is that you've left everything at camp. What if there is a problem? What if you get lost? What if you find a vacant perfect campsite? What if the fish are biting and you don't want to leave the lake you're on to go back to camp? Take everything with you and it is not an issue.

There are times when I'm setting up my new camp at 10:00 a.m. There are also times when I'm not leaving my old camp til 2:00 p.m. Do whatever happens to grab you that day.

Sometimes breakfast is water and a granola bar so I can leave at first light and then have a lunch of oatmeal and coffee in the new site.

quote Bannock: "When I solo I like to travel every day. I may only cross two or three lakes, but I travel. There is a lot of time to fill. Even with traveling everyday you'll still have lots of time for fishing, relaxing reading, etc ... provide you don't travel too far.."

+1 on that. Solo layovers are for when it's not safe to travel. Do the loop and plan to move a little every day.

quote Bannock: Sometimes breakfast is water and a granola bar so I can leave at first light and then have a lunch of oatmeal and coffee in the new site."

It's strange how meals sometimes work out backwards on solos. I remember eating P&J's on tortillas for dinner because I was tired and didn't want to fire up the stove. Or just a clif bar and gorp with coffee in the morning is fine too.

That's part of the beauty of a solo. Nobody to confer with and no compromising. Just do what you want, when you want.

Thanks for all the input!

I will follow your advice and do the loop and move each day. Maybe get into Oyster the fist night, then up to Ge-be for the second, Perhaps to Pocket the 3rd, down into Lay Boot for a few days then eventually back to Agnes for the last night.

I can't wait for this to happen. I'm still paring down my kit. But I have to admit that I did just buy a hand held Marine radio. I've heard that the Forest Service monitors channel 16, and some of the outfitters on Lac La Croix use them. I could probably hail someone if I really mess up up there.

My food is very simple this time. Coffee and Powerbars for breakfast; jerky, trail mix and dried fruit for lunch. Dinner depends on the fishing(I'd like to have a few fish meals) with sides of red beans and rice and such. I can spike it with summer sausage if no fish. It all fits in my Bear Vault (food for 8 days). I notice I don't eat as much in the summer as I do in spring trips, and cooking for one isn't really that interesting.

I'm with you, Hank. When I solo, I care less about food. It's just SO EXCITING to be in the woods and on the water alone.

Enjoy your trip, Hank. I predict that you will not want to return to "civilization."

Have FUN and don't argue with yourself! :)

do the LOOP...you will be happier on the "move" then sittin still.

SunCatcher

Well, I leave from Cincinnati tomorrow night. I enter Wednesday morning. I'm staying Tuesday night in Ely as I'll be tired after my 16 hour drive. I've packed and repacked and just need to stay out of the packs now.

Thanks you all for sharing your experience with me. It really made the choice to do this more comforting. If anyone is going to be up there, I have a brown Explorer with Ohio plates and a wood strip canoe. I'm planning for dinner on Tuesday at the Ely stakehouse and would love to meet anyone from the board.

Cheers,

Hank

Have a great trip!

I am probably the only one to say this, but I usually DON'T travel every day when I solo. I often find a camp site I like and stay a day or so. It's My Trip and I'll do as I please. There are so many things to see if you aren't moving all the time. I once spent an hour and a half photographing a snake eating a toad, right in my camp. Fascinating.

BTW, don't take the Oyster River! Take the portage from Agnes.

quote oldgentleman: BTW, don't take the Oyster River! Take the portage from Agnes."

Why not take the Oyster River?

We took the oyster last June and it was slow and hard work. There are dozens of beaver dams. The bottom is very deep soft mud, and you have no place to stand except on the beaver dam. The creek winds a lot so you cover more miles than you would think. It was a very unpleasant day. The portage is easier and faster.

Thanks for the explanation. Having done the Oyster River myself in early May, I was curious. I do recall pulling over a few beaver dams, and we did find it necessary to stand on them to get across. We also found that the open water does wind among the reeds, as you pointed out. That being said, we found it to be a scenic stretch, and enjoyed the time we spent there. I imagine it could be more challenging when the water level drops or when the reeds become more dense.

Definitely do the loop. You could do it in 3 days - so 8 will be PLENTY of time. Enjoy it. There's not a bad lake on the bunch. LLC and Agnes can get poppin' in a big wind so paddle those early in the day if you can.