BWCA Considerations for a first canoeing solo in october?? Boundary Waters Group Forum: Solo Tripping
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07/13/2012 06:58AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I've been on one 5 day hiking solo in the past, but am considering taking my first canoeing solo in early october. August and september are pretty much out of the question because I can't get time off in august and I have a bwca trip planned in september.

My goal this year was to take a solo trip to the bwca but so far that hasn;t happened, so I am considering a trip in early october. I tend to prefer tripping in cooler weather but I don't know how extreme weather can be in the bwca in early october.

Fishing input, general gear needs, and any other advice for tripping in october would be appreciated. I'm sure I would see few if any people that time of year but I don't know what else to expect.

Anyone been out solo in october before?
 
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07/13/2012 07:15AM  
I have soloed in October. In fact I nearly always make a trip in October. This year I may do one over MEA weekend.

I bring exactly the same gear in October as I do any trip - except that I may bring another layer (top and bottom)of ltwgt wool. Potentially mittens and a warmer hat.

Look at the weather forecast. It's bear hunting season in the dub during Sept/Oct so be mindful of that.

Look at the "Do any of you Single portage thread" on this forum for gear lists.

I don't fish on my solos.
 
07/13/2012 07:18AM  
Forgot to mention that during my trip in June, I paddled solo in my sawyer autumn mist along with my brother and best friend in a tandem. I definitely got the gist of paddling solo and portaging solo during this trip. I realized there is a lot of extra work involved when you are essentially working alone, especially at portages. It was a good experience and good practice for what will eventually be my first true canoeing solo trip.
 
marsonite
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07/13/2012 07:40AM  
Glorious time to be out there.

The weather can range from crisp, clear, still days to 5 days of cold rain, wind, snow....

One thing to consider is that the days are getting pretty short by then. Be prepared to spend a lot of time by the fire reading or whatever.

Fishing is supposed to be good, but I've never had much luck that time of year.
 
eagle93
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07/13/2012 08:19AM  
Have gone the last weekend (WEA weekend) of Oct. 4 or 5 times. Have had beautiful weather, mid 50's during the day and mid 20's at night or blowing snow and lakes freezing over. I bring some serious warm clothing, several layers including 300 wt fleece. I always carry an extra set of clothing in a dry bag everywhere I canoe, fishing, exploring, photo, etc. in case of an accidental dunking. As mentioned above, daylight hours are short, don't plan a trip based on summer experiences. Be prepared for a lot of fire time. Good opportunity to practice your cooking skills. Take your time and enjoy. BTW, the mice are very active at this time of year.
 
07/13/2012 09:23AM  
i've done quite a few oct solo trips in the bw. count on the weather being unpredictable, i was once wind bound for five days on lake one, other trips had been gorgeous. one piece of luxury gear that i like to bring is my single mantle coleman gas lantern. this is a glass model that i made a case for out of ensolite. i've had it for over twenty five years and am amazed by its durability. bring spare mantles. i also bring this on group trips when the days are getting short. worth every ounce.
 
SevenofNine
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07/13/2012 11:35AM  
Great time of the year to travel. I've gone several different years around Oct 7th. And two out the three years I've had a day where the rain and cold was very tough. So it is smart to have extra insulation.

I recommend bringing mittens and a winter hat or mask. Can't say enough about having fleece mittens with a water resistant shell. I now add my Primaloft winter coat since it packs small and brings a lot of bang for the buck in warmth.

Have a great time. Lots of good recommendations so far.
 
07/14/2012 08:55PM  
Weather records - average high, low, record high, low, sunrise, sunset.

It will be between 10 and 85, it may be very windy or calm, it may be wet also - be prepared. There are about 12 hours of daylight - extra batteries for the headlamp. Besides the extra work of working alone at portages, you'll also be working alone at camp doing all camp chores. I keep meals simple. You are more likely to be windbound. I would not plan an aggressive travel route, especially with no options to shorten it.

I will be there solo the last week of Sept for 8 days again. When it's nice, it's really nice - indian summer weather, few people or bugs, lots of fall color, easy to find a campsite. Of course, when you're solo about any campsite with one small tent pad will do.

Take plenty of thermal layers, don't take chances, take lots of pictures, take your time, take a book or two and a journal.
 
07/14/2012 09:14PM  
Lots of good advice everyone. I didn't really consider how much time I will be spending in the dark up there, that is something to plan for. I might bring something along to light up camp a bit. Any ideas? A fire is nice, but it is also a lot of extra work to maintain all the time and messes with my allergies if I spend a lot of time around one.

 
07/14/2012 09:47PM  
stay up as late as possible before you spark the fire. i did a trip on october 23rd. man, it does get dark early.
 
07/14/2012 10:21PM  
ok, suppose you ignored my advise to bring a gas lantern, you are sitting by your wimpy fire and feeling exposed to the elements. once it was we were fearful of bears and wolves, now we have to add beavers and otters to the list of scary animals that mess up our sleep.

in my boy scout troop, we were trained to start a fire in any type of weather. one match, that fire better burn like the city of tokyo, my troop master, bless him, was watching. he was a ww2 marine and nothing made him happier than a fire storm.

not that you want a fire storm in your campsite, but a few things are awfully close. all those dead pine and spruce branches, they are in every campsite, burn really sweet. they burn quick though. a spruce root will burn like crazy if you find a good one. but for the ultimate, fourth of july crazy firestorm. find a rotted birch log. beat it like crazy so all the nasty rotted wood is gone. now you have a hollow tube of birch bark. get a bunch of these. you are now prepared for a night of legal and ethical fire fun. just make sure you stay back from the sparks, any clothing made by high end, expensive yuppie lines will get a burn hole and become worthless.

i will assume that everyone already knew this.
 
07/15/2012 07:27AM  
BearBrown-

I bring a headlamp with lithium batteries - better for the cold and lighter too :) - and an extra set of batteries, but I usually just sit in the dark, watch the sky, and listen. I don't usually have a fire because, like you say, it's extra work and tools, ruins my night vision, and makes my clothes smell. When I have one, it's small and short. I usually go to bed early.

I don't like to carry extra stuff, especially when I'm solo and there is nobody to share the weight of community items. My solo loads are heavy enough with extra clothing for cold temps and 10 days of food. Just something to consider, although YMMV and...it is YOUR trip when you're solo and you can take whatever you want, do whatever you want, whenever you want, etc. :).
 
w_w_w_31
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07/19/2012 08:05AM  
I've done most of my sololing in late October/early November. And actually, a few folks on this forum think I'm nuts for going in so late. They might be right... :)

As long as you understand the reality of a solo - you're completely alone, especially at that time of year - you only really need to prepare for the long nights, and the unpredictable weather. Someone already mentioned not bringing many "comfort" items, due to the extra weight, and no "comunity" value. I agree. I am already carrying eveerything else, including extra clothing due to the weather, I limit my "luxury" items. Although, I have been known to take a cast iron pan for some actual "cooking", as opposed to just boil and serve.

Definately take an extra set of batteries for your headlamp. I didn't ONCE.... Oops. That trip was a little, ah, trying.

Have fun. It's an amazing time of year in the BW. I love it.

dave
 
07/19/2012 01:07PM  
What are water temps usually like in early october? Im sure there are a number of factors that work into that, but am i going to be gasping for air if i dump into the lake?

Also thinking about this because im not sure if i should plan to keep my feet dry or not. I own a pair of boots that drain through the soles, so i usually load and unload in the water with wet feet. Too cold this time of year for that approach?
 
RainGearRight
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07/19/2012 01:51PM  
Last late Sept/early Oct the water was plenty warm yet. I went wet foot with wool socks and had no problem with cold feet. It was a warm September though. Unless Sept is unseasonably cold wet feet and swimming should be fine
 
07/19/2012 02:09PM  
This is just a guess, but I'd say water temps would be around 50 degrees at end of Sept, first of Oct. - I'll bet The Great Outdoors (TGO) could tell.

I personally don't plan on wet-footingsince I don't control the weather. I get cold feet easily and think it could be very uncomfortable on a wet, windy, 40-degree day. But some seem to tolerate it.
 
07/21/2012 02:32AM  
probably the most informative thread I have ever seen on here. Like Kanoes said-- wait long to start your fire (or fire your lantern)-- even with doing so,, most don't make it past 9pm. I'am more refreshed after a trip in the fall,, don't much care for a hot tent at 5:30 in the late spring/ summer months.
Fish are usaully deeper then you think during the day -- and shallower at night. Turnover throws everything out. Full moon-- use something big.-- I like 5-7" plastics.

 
07/21/2012 08:59AM  
Look into a pair of Muck Boots, I use them in the spring and fall, Keeps my feet dry and comfortable.
 
billconner
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07/21/2012 09:58AM  
I wet footed and even swam first week of October. Dumped - one and only time - same trip and not particularly cold. Taking longer to dry stuff was a challenge - but starting earlier and stopping earlier to catch some rays helped.
 
07/21/2012 10:26AM  
Second the Muck Boots- great for cold water tripping.
 
07/21/2012 05:47PM  
quote WhiteWolf: "probably the most informative thread I have ever seen on here. Like Kanoes said-- wait long to start your fire (or fire your lantern)-- even with doing so,, most don't make it past 9pm. I'am more refreshed after a trip in the fall,, don't much care for a hot tent at 5:30 in the late spring/ summer months.
Fish are usaully deeper then you think during the day -- and shallower at night. Turnover throws everything out. Full moon-- use something big.-- I like 5-7" plastics.


"


Do you usually have much success fishing during october? Im sure things can be hit or miss depending on things like turnover, weather, and the lakes you travel on. Id imagine that most lakes have already turned by that point in an average year so fish could be anywhere in the water column due to the oxygen mixing. From what i have been reading, shallow reefs at night should produce good walleye action as they chase prey to fatten up for the winter and remaining weeds should produce pike during the day. Correct?

Starting the fire late seems like a good idea to me. I'll likely still be fishing after dark, near camp anyway, less bugs to chase me off the water that time of year.

GOOD INFO FROM EVERYONE SO FAR! Much appreciated.
 
08/22/2012 09:48PM  
I have gone into the BWCA the second week of October for the last 9 years (missed once). Weather can be teens to 85. The water can be warm or dangerously cold.

One year a buddy and I ran some rapids the first day (small rapids on the Kawishiwi River). We portaged everything first. I was smart enough to take off most my clothing. I did leave on my under armour, shoes and hat and life vest. My friend kept most of his layers on, not wanting to bother (and not wanting to be cold...it was about 45 and WINDY).

We ran the rapids! We were successful. We put our hands up in the air to celebrate! We tipped! The fast moving current and slow current met at the exact moment we put our arms in the air and hit the side of our canoe.

My lungs exploded. All the air left them. The shore was only about 15 yards away but we could barely move. OUr heavy boots made us basically vertical. Not being able to breath well and being weighted down by our boots, there was a moment I thought I might not make it back to shore. I was terrified for a moment.

Now, we were both ok and we were always going to make it to the shore. We were both in great shape (he was training for an ironman and I was doing a lot of tris at the time). BUT MY POINT IS THAT IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS THIS TIME OF YEAR.

When going solo AND being in the BWCA during October, little things in the summer can be HUGE in October. So, things like NOT taking off your life jacket are very important.

Oh, by the way. Even though it was only about 45 degrees and no sun, my buddy had the right clothes on when we tipped. He kept the most of the wet clothes on and HE STAYED WARM. He actually dried out 90% within a couple hours with no sun but a lot of wind.

Here is my clothing list for the fall:

1 Underarmor Long John Pants
1 Underarmor Long John Shirt
1 Quick Dry T Shirt (long sleeve i.e. poly)
1 Quick Dry Convertible Pants (i.e. poly)
1 Fleece top (ideally with hood)
1 or 2 Hat (Winter type...not cotton)
1 Rain Coat (Ideally with hood...ie.e Marmot Precip)
1 Rain Pants
Gloves for Canoe (water repellent Mark!)
Chota Boots
Chota Waterproof Socks (I pair)...they no longer sell. Only waterproof boot now.
Wool Socks (2-3 pair)
Keen Sandals

I only need the above for anything from 0-85. I do a lot of winter camping as well and the only thing I add is winter gloves, and a down sweater (and I change out the convertable pants with fleece pants and add a pair of stegar muk luks).

TWO IMPORTANT ITEMS ALREADY MENTIONED BY OTHERS: Get Chotas (or any waterproofing boot) and invest in good water proof gloves. Those two items will make your trip a TON more enjoyable (see the notes I put by gloves...my buddy had forgotten the previous year and cried like a baby).

Oh, and pack an extra stocking hat (I lost mine when the canoe tipped). A hat is vital when it gets cold and the easiest way to regulate your body temp! I was ticked.

 
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