BWCA More than I can chew? Boundary Waters Group Forum: Solo Tripping
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outsidej
senior member (83)senior membersenior member
  
04/18/2013 12:55PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Sorry for the Stones' reference there. I'm planning my first solo trip in May. It's a four-day, three-night excursion to Tuscarora in search of lake trout. I was going to use a silver bullet, but thought better of it because of that 400-rod portage from Missing Link, and reserved a SR Quetico 16 (I'm a big guy). Should I think better of this route?
 
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SourisMan
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04/18/2013 04:20PM  
If it were me, I'd be more concerned about the size of the lake than the length of that portage. I've done some long portages on solo trips, and just took my time. All went well. I do try, though, to avoid big lakes on solo trips. I like skinny lakes with less likelihood of battling big winds. I guess it depends on how strong a solo paddler you are.
 
04/18/2013 04:53PM  
huge lakes are fine, you just have to be sensible.
 
04/18/2013 05:02PM  

quote kanoes: "huge lakes are fine, you just have to be sensible."


Agreed!

As big lakes go, Tuscarora Lake is not THAT big. That being said, there's still potential for sizable waves and whitecaps on Tuscarora Lake. Been there, done that!

Due to the fact you're going in May, the water and air temps are a concern, especially the way this spring is going. At least you'll be portaging into a fairly protected bay. There's a campsite, (#542), a short distance from the end of the portage'. Making camp at campsite #542 will spare you from heading out into the main body of the lake if wind and wave conditions are less than favorable.

The 366 rod Portage' from Missing Link to Tuscarora Lake is not that bad, just longer than most. At least you'll be portaging in the "easy" direction. The last 100 rods or so is gradually downhill, when coming from Missing Link Lake.

So that begs the question, are you backtracking from Tuscarora Lake, or will you be doing a loop back through Crooked-Gillis-Gotter-Brandt, and then back to Round Lake?

Hans Solo
 
billconner
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04/18/2013 05:13PM  
In May - with ice barely out - I'm with Souris Man. July to mid October - not as worried - because I know I'll last to shore.

But the Q16 is very stabile - keep load weight low and be extra smart and don't give into a I have to get to moment at the wrong time.
 
outsidej
senior member (83)senior membersenior member
  
04/18/2013 05:17PM  
Thanks for the input, guys. I'm a strong paddler, but I've never solo'd the Q16 before. Still, I'm not too, too worried. I do think Kanoes passes on some wisdom there. I definitely won't be taking any chances paddling out in big waves on this trip. Hopefully, that won't prevent me from fishing too much. I'm hoping I can find a shallow, wind protected bay to fish if it does get wavy out there. I'm also thinking about bringing a kayak paddle as a backup, a topic I'm sure that's been discussed on this board before.
 
yellowcanoe
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04/18/2013 05:19PM  
Think of the 400 as five 80's. You eat an elephant one teaspoonful at a time. It's YOUR trip. No one is going to tap you on the shoulder and point to their watch..:)

May is wind time. I am not necessarily a fan of long skinny wind funnelling lakes, but big ones are not a good idea either. I prefer ones with islands (aka hidey places).

I live on a long skinny lake between two hills and the wind funnels something fierce when its windless elsewhere.

My ruling monarch is that little voice in my head. On a solo you can obey its honesty.
 
outsidej
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04/18/2013 05:28PM  
Hans, the initial idea was to backtrack, and I'm guessing that's what I'll stick to. But have toyed with the idea of the loop. I know from first-hand experience that Gillis can be a bear, too.
 
04/18/2013 05:33PM  

quote outsidej: "Hans, the initial idea was to backtrack, and I'm guessing that's what I'll stick to. But have toyed with the idea of the loop. I know from first-hand experience that Gillis can be a bear, too."


You are correct Sir!

Although the portages between Gillis Lake and Brandt Lake are not that long, they can be can be steep and slippery in places. Plus, most of those lakes are not particularly attractive either. If I remember correctly, Gotter Lake was voted the "ugliest" lake in the BWCAW recently.

Regardless of what you ultimately decide to do, have a safe and enjoyable trip and I hope your stringer is filled with Trout! :-)

Hans Solo
 
Mort
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04/18/2013 06:29PM  
I finished my nine day solo trip last summer by exiting out of Tuscarora. My packs were appreciably lighter due to most of my food supply having been eaten. Even so, I thought the 366+ rod portage out of Tuscarora was a beast! My advice: Get into really good shape before setting out on your trip.

You might want to check out my trip report at:
Mort "Off my Bucket List" 08/29/2012 52 - Brant Lake
 
04/18/2013 07:19PM  
Make sure to bring some dry bags to fill with water to put in your canoe when you are out fishing in that big boat. A larger boat like that will be more susceptible to being blown around without your gear in the boat after you set up camp. It wouldnt be a bad idea to take your food pack with you when you go fishing as well. it'll be safe from bears and will help give you better control of your boat.

I wouldnt worry about the portage too much. I did a 280 rod and a 310 rod portage nearly back to back on my solo last fall. Just take your time. I liked leapfrogging my gear on the long portages. i would go about 100 rods, drop my gear, then go 150 rods, drop my stuff and go back and did it this way. That way I was never more than about 100 rods away from my gear or food pack and it gave me more short breaks.
 
luft
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04/18/2013 08:57PM  
quote BearBrown: "Make sure to bring some dry bags to fill with water to put in your canoe when you are out fishing in that big boat. A larger boat like that will be more susceptible to being blown around without your gear in the boat after you set up camp. It wouldnt be a bad idea to take your food pack with you when you go fishing as well. it'll be safe from bears and will help give you better control of your boat.... I liked leapfrogging my gear on the long portages. i would go about 100 rods, drop my gear, then go 150 rods, drop my stuff and go back and did it this way. That way I was never more than about 100 rods away from my gear or food pack and it gave me more short breaks. "


All good advice.

I really like the idea of leapfrogging packs as you aren't leaving your packs unattended at the portage ends for bears (or people) to pick up and walk off with. Seems like some bears have become conditioned to portage ends as much as the good hanging spots in some camps.
 
amhacker22
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04/18/2013 09:37PM  
I did the long portage to Tuscarora last year, and it really wasn't that bad. It's long, but its a nice walk. I doubled it, and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

The waves do pick up, but they never got too bad when I was there.
 
mr.barley
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04/18/2013 10:07PM  
I will be doing the same thing on may 17th. Solo into Tusc and points west of there in search of lakers. The portage isn't bad. The water will be extremely cold so be careful.
 
outsidej
senior member (83)senior membersenior member
  
04/19/2013 02:08AM  
I'm planning on leapfrogging as well. I know it's been said on this board to take your pack first to scout. That's sage advice. As is the idea of ballast water, BearBrown. Never heard of that before, but a genius idea. ... You are right, Mr. Barley. We're on pace for there to be floating ice on some lakes that weekend. BTW, we may cross paths on the trail to Tusc. I'm embarking on the 17th, too.
 
04/19/2013 09:30AM  
Where are you renting from? The reason I ask is I'm hoping to do my first solo this summer and want to rent a SR Q16 because I will have my dog along. I have only found one outfitter on the Gunflint that rents them.
 
outsidej
senior member (83)senior membersenior member
  
04/19/2013 09:39AM  
I ended up having to call SR to try and locate a Q16. They connected me with Hungry Jack. Is that the outfitter you knew about, ducks? ... Thanks for the well wishes, Hans. It's been a decade since I've done that route from Gabi to Round. I remember the stretch between Gillis and Round as long and muddy. I'm definitely leaning towards backtracking, especially considering the length of the trip. ... Thanks again to everybody for their insight.
 
SevenofNine
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04/19/2013 10:28AM  
Just some advice for your canoe. Tie it up or have it well away from water when you portage. Especially at the Round to Missing link portage. Or you might be running after it as it blows back out into Round lake. :-)
 
ozarkpaddler
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04/19/2013 10:52AM  
quote outsidej: "I ended up having to call SR to try and locate a Q16. They connected me with Hungry Jack. Is that the outfitter you knew about, ducks? ... Thanks for the well wishes, Hans. It's been a decade since I've done that route from Gabi to Round. I remember the stretch between Gillis and Round as long and muddy. I'm definitely leaning towards backtracking, especially considering the length of the trip. ... Thanks again to everybody for their insight."


As For HJO and the Q-16, both good. I haven't had need of an outfitter for years, but Dave and Nancy at HJO are great folks and their gear and food top notch; the best outfitters I've used.

I used to own a Q-16. Paddled it solo almost as much as tandem. By paddling with the canoe turned around from the bow seat, and putting most of your gear up front you'll have no trouble trimming your canoe. Personally, if I'm day tripping away from camp, I put the food pack in. Make sure you have some weight in the front to give you some ballast when not fully loaded.
 
04/19/2013 01:18PM  
quote outsidej: "I ended up having to call SR to try and locate a Q16. They connected me with Hungry Jack. Is that the outfitter you knew about, ducks? ... Thanks for the well wishes, Hans. It's been a decade since I've done that route from Gabi to Round. I remember the stretch between Gillis and Round as long and muddy. I'm definitely leaning towards backtracking, especially considering the length of the trip. ... Thanks again to everybody for their insight."


Yep, that's the one. I've only heard good things about them as an outfitter. They have it listed on their website as a tandem price for renting it which is quite a bit more than the price for renting a solo. I may contact them to see if they charge less if using it as a solo. As of now I'm thinking of entering in the Sawbill area because Sawbill rents the SR Q16 for over $10 less a day.

Have a great trip!
 
04/19/2013 01:18PM  
sorry, the dreaded double post.
 
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