i've been thinking of taking a solo canoe trip for a while. i took a few trips with my family when i was younger. and currently do a lot of solo camping (some canoe and backpack). but i've not yet ventured into areas that are too remote. what's stopping me: i worry about general safety going alone. but i deeply crave the solitude and quiet of being alone in the wild. and i really really miss the boundary waters. wondering if you wise ones have any advice to give on possibly finding a compatible group or at least a check in buddy (which i didn't even know happened until reading these forums!) thanks.

I don't know about a group but for sure don't post your entry date or route online. Carring a plb like a SPOT locator is a good idea for solo.

What do you mean by safety? Injury or personal harm?

Start with a short, not too remote trip, maybe outside the really crowded summer months. Even in an area with some people around, you'll still get a good bit of solitude, especially if you camp on a lake with only one campsite. Then you can do a little more next time if feel comfortable with it. If your trip overlaps mine, I'd be willing to check on you once or twice if that would make you feel better. You may email me if you want details.

I think you'll become more confident as you do it and gradually extend your boundaries. Carry a PLB or SPOT.

quote boonie: "Start with a short, not too remote trip, maybe outside the really crowded summer months. Even in an area with some people around, you'll still get a good bit of solitude, especially if you camp on a lake with only one campsite. Then you can do a little more next time if feel comfortable with it. If your trip overlaps mine, I'd be willing to check on you once or twice if that would make you feel better. You may email me if you want details.


I think you'll become more confident as you do it and gradually extend your boundaries. Carry a PLB or SPOT. "

Good advice. There are many areas where the BWCA is just like a state park, only the campsites are farther apart. You can get some solitude as a solo without being too far from other parties.

Agree with the other folks, select a single campsite lake near a more popular route and rent or buy a SPOT. Most of the area from the Lake One EP back towards Ely has cell phone coverage. I've also carried one of those FRS radios in the past. It's a long shot, but a lot of groups use them while out on the water and if you scan you could pick up a conversation and call for help.

Read other posts on this forum to prepare. Solo's are unique in so many ways.

JD

Thanks ya'll. This is a great jumping off point for me. Reading through this forum has really inspired me to go for it! I need to research more but plan to check back in with you all when I get into planning a route.

TomT: I'm just worried about fluke accidents and things like that. I'm super careful when out alone anyway. Also just being alone can be scary at first. I've camped and canoed a ton. So I feel confident in my knowledge & abilities. It's just the things out of my control I'm worried about...that sounds silly, I know.

boonie & OBX2Kayak: Thanks so much for the generous offer to check on me. I may take you up on that. I'll PM you when I have more info about when & where the trip will be.

I've been researching SPOTs and PLBs. Lots of differing opinions on those. The only reason I'm thinking I'd need one is if I literally can't travel. And in those cases, from what I understand it can be a huge bill. I've never heard of an FRS radio. I'll have to look into that.

You guys are great. So happy to have stumbled upon this forum. It has seriously made me realize I can and must do this. Solo weirdos unite!

It may be no bill at all .. I carry both a PLB and SPOT. The FRS radio has limited range in my experience. I have called my husband on one at a ski lodge. He never heard the transmission .. I saw him outside through the window.

PLB's are more powerful. I regard mine as for ME. SPOT is for my family. If you file a float plan on plain old paper and leave with family and leave yourself some room for wind days, you can get by if you give them an emergency contact number with no electronic devices.

I got my PLB as I often paddle on the ocean and anything there can be a real immediate problem.

I have sent you an email with some additional information.

you can do it. solos will set you free.

I solo'd a lot when I was your age. Got tired of all the drama in groups. I wanted to explore and never met anyone that was as determined to do that. It just seemed natural and I never thought much of it. There is a lot of good reasons to go alone. It is kind of fun to run into people you know or are acquainted with in some fashion. But the alone time is pretty neat. You may meet up with opposition from people that care about you. But you can usually put their minds at ease. Taking a Wilderness first Aid or a Wilderness First Responder course is very beneficial in helping with your ability to know what to do in a what if situation. When I did my long solo last fall I had people here and there call a particular person who was worried about me and relayed I was fine. I agree that you should start small, something I could never do. :) At least give yourself options to go further or shorten a trip if need be. I'm sort of taking the year off so to speak, but it's posts like this that gets me wanting to get out there again and go.

I'm doing my first solo this year. Just 3 nights. Enter on Fall Lake and camp on Pipestone Bay. I wanted easy portages and to go somewhere familiar. If I have fun and decide to do another solo, I will plan a longer, farther in trip. I am bringing a spot at my husbands request and hope I dont need to push the panic button. I am almost packed and the menu is done. I plan on watching the sunrise in my hammock, spending my days exploring, and taking lots of photo's. People think Im crazy, I think Im normal. I had a cancer scare 2 years ago. Everything ended up being normal but since that time, I have always wanted to do something special. Hence the solo. Plus the dragon boat team that I joined.
Nicole you should do a solo. You should do it for you.

The further you are away from masses of people... The safer you will be. At least thats how I see it. Ive heard other people say this too, but the drive to and from the bwca is far more dangerous than the actual time in the woods.

Granted, being cautious, prepared, aware and respectful of nature will go a long way in keeping you safe.

IMO, the most important item to have on a solo is a healthy dose of common sense, if you have that, your are 99% prepared for anything

quote jeepgirl: "I'm doing my first solo this year. Just 3 nights. Enter on Fall Lake and camp on Pipestone Bay. I wanted easy portages and to go somewhere familiar. If I have fun and decide to do another solo, I will plan a longer, farther in trip. I am bringing a spot at my husbands request and hope I dont need to push the panic button. I am almost packed and the menu is done. I plan on watching the sunrise in my hammock, spending my days exploring, and taking lots of photo's. People think Im crazy, I think Im normal. I had a cancer scare 2 years ago. Everything ended up being normal but since that time, I have always wanted to do something special. Hence the solo. Plus the dragon boat team that I joined.
Nicole you should do a solo. You should do it for you. "

Way to go Jeepgirl! You set an example for the rest of us.

You will love it, peace and quit not having to worry about someone else, being able to do what you want when you want, I did 7 nights this spring it was a awesome experience, next one I'm looking at 9 nights.
Go you will love the experience and have fun and be safe.

Thanks yellowcanoe for the floatplan idea. i like that. i think i may get a PLB for myself. those two combined i think will cover my bases and put my mind (and family's mind) at ease.

nctry: thanks. i am looking in to a first aid class. that's a wonderful idea. i'm having a hard time finding one i can attend. i'm looking in to distance learning options. or i may just get outward bound's manual.

jeepgirl: you are inspiring. thanks for sharing. and thanks for the nudge :)

bearbrown: i agree! people scare me more than the animals or anything else. thanks for that reminder.

this is super helpful ya'll. i'm going to do it! off to route plan!

quote ZaraSp00k: "IMO, the most important item to have on a solo is a healthy dose of common sense, if you have that, your are 99% prepared for anything"

couldnt agree more

Be ready to enjoy a great trip. Being solo allows you to do what you want when you want. Just remember a couple of things. First you will do everything yourself so plan accordingly. Get to camp early and give yourself time to do your camp chores without rushing around. Second leave a itinerary with a friend and in your car. If, God forbid, something happens, it will be easier for people to find you. Third, if you're base camping, spend a day paddling around the lake and enjoy the freedom of solo canoeing. You will always remember the trip so make it a happy and safe experience.

quote kanoes: "

quote ZaraSp00k: "IMO, the most important item to have on a solo is a healthy dose of common sense, if you have that, your are 99% prepared for anything"

couldnt agree more"

+2

Hans Solo

Thanks Nicole. This will be my 11th trip. Im very comfortable canoeing and camping. That part is not new. Soloing is but its time. I just have that feeling that this is what I need to do.

Last night I bought some Sigurd Olson books for my kindle. Now my trip will be perfect. But then again, any trip to the bwca is always perfect.

Both of you have a great time.

Soloing is addicting..I am getting ready for my third...this year! I have been getting three or four in every year since 1996. The first two this year were only five days..next will be much more.

I always leave my plan with several people, usually including the outfitter. My plan also includes any possible day trips or side trips I am even remotely considering. I have a bad habit of changing things on the whim of the moment when I'm solo, so trying to cover all the bases is a challenge. But having that flexibility and freedom is one of the things I like about soloing. I do carry a PLB in case of a life-threating situation.

Another thing we often don't think about is that you don't really have to be that remote to get in a situation (time and place) where no one is around. Or you have no way to get their attention.

I few things I learned the hard and easy when going solo:

-Have confidence in yourself.

-Never take your life-jacket off.

Bring a few flashlights. Bring extra batteries.

-Don't pack to much gear. Being light and fresh on your feet and in the canoe means less chance to make mistakes or injure yourself.

-Alcohol and a campfire works wonders for the night jitters (if you get em.)

-Never pick up a pan off the fire or stove without a mitt or cloth (learned the hard way) (really makes paddling tough when you burn a hand.) Don't lean over a fire ever. Make sure that if you do happen to pass out near the fire that your weight is centered away from the fire. I have seen people pass out/faint near a fire and the result is not good.

-Camp chores do take time and they suck in the dark.

-Pack your sunscreen and your bug spray so it doesn't accidentally discharge all over your pack

-Being windbound sucks - bring a book. Force yourself to be windbound vs. risking it.

-Yes, you can still smell yourself even if no one is around, so bring some soap.

-Always have a ditch kit on you, or in easy reach.

-Fire (I always have 3 different types - matches, bic lighter, stormproof lighter, flint/steel), food, shelter, maps, compass. Mine was a simple fanny pack with all the necessary stuff. In fact, I have a little lighter in every pocket of my gear.

-A SPOT/Find Me Spot satellite deal is awesome. Upside is you can push a button and your loved ones get a text message and/or email from you. Downside is they that if you have track mode enabled, they watch your every move. One family member was glued to the computer, wondering what to do if the magic line stopped moving!! Bring extra batteries for it, prep your family that the thing is not foolproof, it can fail, and not hearing from you is not bad news.

-You can do some online first aid training.

Regarding Exo's comment - I bring an LED headlamp and a flashlight. With extra batts this combo works great.

I skip the frying pan when solo. First, my pack is lighter, 2nd - frying foods is dirty and smelly. My cook kit is a small stove and pot for boiling water.

I try very hard to keep things simple when solo. In a week I'll maybe have 2 fires and usually just for baking fish filets in foil. Again, no muss no fuss.

I DO however have 1/4 rolls of toilet paper stashed in four different places. I also carry a ditch kit of fire starter, poly top and bottoms and fleece hat in a dry bag in the bow. Plan for the worst case scenario and rehearse in your mind what you would do if that happens.

What's the girlscout motto? Be prepared. (I think).

I did my first solo at 24 and was pretty clueless and definitely scared at night. I'm sure you will be uncomfortable at first but will then gain confidence and open up a whole new world for yourself. Have a great trip!

I also keep food and prep very simple, which reduces weight, bulk, and the time spent on camp chores. All breakfasts and dinners are dehydrated, add-boiling-water, and eat-out-of-the-pouch meals. Lunch is a ProBar, snacks are nuts/gorp. Drinks are coffee, Mio. This makes it possible to cram 8 days of food into a BearVault, which saves a lot of time/trouble hanging and provides me with a seat.

When I'm done eating there is bag/wrapper to put in the garbage, an insulated mug to rinse out, and a spork to lick clean. Besides that there is a cozy for rehydrating the meals, a stove and fuel, and a small pot. There is no extra kitchen paraphernalia to add weight or bulk. There is nothing much to clean up, so no need for a kitchen sink, scrubber, detergent. Minimal time is invested in prep and clean up.

Like EXO, I don't like to do camp chores in the dark, which comes early in late Sept. so keeping it simple and quick helps and leaves time for other things.

Like Tom, I rarely have a fire and when I do, it's a small one, so

I don't need a saw or hatchet. I rarely use my headlamp, preferring to retain my night vision.

Being windbound does suck, but it's almost inevitable at some point, so I just factor that into my planning. I discovered on my first long, remote solo that feeling pressured to travel so you can get out on time, makes it more difficult to exercise good judgment.

It sounds like you've done enough solo camping that the jitters will go away quickly.

Being windbound does suck, but it's almost inevitable at some point, so I just factor that into my planning. I discovered on my first long, remote solo that feeling pressured to travel so you can get out on time, makes it more difficult to exercise good judgment.


This definitely rings true. I felt this way a lot on my 8 day solo last october. Weather was bad and winds were high. I had to cut my travel short a couple times, and stayed in camp much more than I wanted some days or at portage landings waiting until it was safe to go. my trip was supposed to be 7 days, but I planned an extra "bail out" day for bad weather. Even with an extra travel day, I still had to paddle and portage 16 miles the last day, and then drive 6 hours home. I made the right decision to wait things out most of the time, but there were a few times that I didn't and I should have because I felt pressured to cover ground. Thats when you make mistakes. Luckily I didn't, but I could have.

BarBrown- I hear ya. I actually came out a day later than planned and it was a long, tough one into the wind. I even cut the loop short to do that.

Of course, my wife had been expecting a call she didn't get the day before, so...

The weather and wind can really screw with travel plans, along with the short daylight hours, on a late fall trip. I decided one "weather day" in a week just doesn't leave me enough leeway.

Hearing about you all and your night jitters makes me feel good. I'm not the only one! This is why I like solo camping...you see what's really going on in that brain you carry around and keep busy all the time.

"I discovered on my first long, remote solo that feeling pressured to travel so you can get out on time, makes it more difficult to exercise good judgment." -boonie

That's really helpful. I've been route planning and at first was thinking of doing the lady chain - kawish, polly, pheobe, etc, exit through sawbill. But I feel like for my first solo a base camp might be best. That way I'm not pressured to be moving constantly. I'll be able to actually enjoy myself.

So here's a question: I actually just reserved two different permits for late august. one for entry at Kawishiwi lake and one for entry at Lizz/Swamp Lakes. I'm looking for some advice on where to go from one of these points. I'd like to base camp somewhere beautiful and not too terribly busy with lots of options for day trips...I'm going to post about this in a separate thread...

Malberg from Kawish comes to mind. Still...part of a solo trip is the experience of route finding skills, setting and breaking camp, etc. Maybe do two base camps...

another question about portaging solo....i've never done it. those of you who double portage, how does that work? you just leave a pack/s at one end? i'm worried about critters eating my delicious food.

i was thinking of doing more than one base camp. i just don't want to pick a super long route with lots of miles. i would like to move a little. i'm planning for 6 nights. so 6 nights in one place would make me a little antsy.

quote nicole: "another question about portaging solo....i've never done it. those of you who double portage, how does that work? you just leave a pack/s at one end? i'm worried about critters eating my delicious food."

for me, each portage is different, sometimes it makes more sense to take the pack(s) first, sometimes the canoe depending on the portage and conditions

keep in mind when you are alone, there is nobody to help you if you overextend yourself by trying to carry too much in one trip

as for critters eating the food, unless you are planning to leave it for a couple hours, it is a non issue, and if you pack properly, it is a non issue no matter how long you leave it

quote nicole: "another question about portaging solo....i've never done it. those of you who double portage, how does that work? you just leave a pack/s at one end? i'm worried about critters eating my delicious food."

One way to do it is to leap frog your gear down the portage...

Take your food/gear pack and walk it a fair ways (half way if you can figure out how many steps in a rod for your gait) down the portage and then drop it off to the side. Walk back to your canoe and day pack at the lake and portage them both up to and past your food/gear pack to the other end of the portage. Walk halfway down the portage to where you dropped your food/gear pack and take it the rest of the way to the end.

The idea being that you are never more than a half portage away from your food pack and the pack isn't sitting at the end of a portage where some smart bears in the BWCA know to look. I personally have not had any bear issues in camp or on the portages but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened to others.

quote nicole: "i was thinking of doing more than one base camp. i just don't want to pick a super long route with lots of miles. i would like to move a little. i'm planning for 6 nights. so 6 nights in one place would make me a little antsy."

I think two nights in each camp is the perfect compromise.

quote nicole: "another question about portaging solo....i've never done it. those of you who double portage, how does that work? you just leave a pack/s at one end? i'm worried about critters eating my delicious food."

Good advice so far. You can either leave your canoe or pack - just be sure to move it off to the side out of the way of other travelers. Be sure to keep your canoe tied off until you're loaded and ready to go - it's amazing how quickly it can drift off while you're stumbling around to get the pack to put in it. Critters will generally be a non-issue, but ...it has happened. As noted, you can leave it short of the end of the portage until ready to load. A BearVault makes me worry a lot less and I save a lot of time and trouble by not hanging ;).

quote bumabu: "

quote nicole: "i was thinking of doing more than one base camp. i just don't want to pick a super long route with lots of miles. i would like to move a little. i'm planning for 6 nights. so 6 nights in one place would make me a little antsy."

I think two nights in each camp is the perfect compromise."

This is a good idea - a compromise that gives you a taste of both, while not overwhelming you with work on your first one. You need to learn about the setting up/taking down camp and traveling for a day if you plan to do more ambitious solos in the future.

leap frog portaging! i love it! i had never thought of that. thanks luft.

yes...it's the smart bears i'm worried about that know the portages in well-travelled routes. i may invest in a bear vault. i'm happy to hear none of you have had a problem with this though.

i think i will plan for 2 nights in each campsite. i really want to make sure i don't overextend myself. as more than one of you have wisely mentioned - there's no one to help you if you do.

quote nicole: "i'm happy to hear none of you have had a problem with this though."

well....

quote kanoes: "

quote nicole: "i'm happy to hear none of you have had a problem with this though."

well...."

Ha! Kanoe's thieving bear story is the reason our group single portages and why I plan on leapfrogging on my solo.

my first time leapfrogging a portage...

id just portaged wheelbarrow falls and came upon an ontario sign that said "no camping, aggressive bear in the area". i then paddled to the horse portage, the long one that bypasses all the fast water on the basswood river. as im unloading my canoe i hear a "rockfall" across the river....i looked and looked but didnt see anything, but i did see that sign in my mind...aggressive bear. there were times on that leapfrog i practically ran back to my last drop. :)

We all know it was your everclear the bear was after. I bring bourbon. Never had a problem.

rock that solo nicole! after meeting ya i know ya will. you are ready.

quote luft: "

quote nicole: "another question about portaging solo....i've never done it. those of you who double portage, how does that work? you just leave a pack/s at one end? i'm worried about critters eating my delicious food."

One way to do it is to leap frog your gear down the portage...


Take your food/gear pack and walk it a fair ways (half way if you can figure out how many steps in a rod for your gait) down the portage and then drop it off to the side. Walk back to your canoe and day pack at the lake and portage them both up to and past your food/gear pack to the other end of the portage. Walk halfway down the portage to where you dropped your food/gear pack and take it the rest of the way to the end.


The idea being that you are never more than a half portage away from your food pack and the pack isn't sitting at the end of a portage where some smart bears in the BWCA know to look. I personally have not had any bear issues in camp or on the portages but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened to others.


"

When solo I leap frog by taking my first load 5 - 10 minutes up the trail, then go back for my second and bypass the first one by 5-10 minutes. This is with the idea a pack is never left more than twenty minutes unattended... Or if doing the 5 minute pass is never more than 10 minutes unattended. Depends on how comfortable I am with the portage.

thanks kanoes! i'm chomping at the bit to get out there!!! it was great to meet you.

Nicole, you wont forget your first solo. I just did mine. I am dying to go again! It was so rewarding to be out there on my own. I recommend solo's to anyone. I will plan another solo for next year. Longer and more challenging.

quote jeepgirl: "Nicole, you wont forget your first solo. I just did mine. I am dying to go again! It was so rewarding to be out there on my own. I recommend solo's to anyone. I will plan another solo for next year. Longer and more challenging. "

Well said Jeep...well said!!

Good luck Nicole ! I have a feeling a solo is in my future next year !:)

i did it! i'm already thinking of my next one. it was amazing. here's a trip report for those interested. and thanks to all of you who contributed to this thread and shared your wisdom. my trip went well and i know a lot of it was due to the info i found here. so thank you!


http://www.bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=trip.report_view&sel_trp_id=3637

quote nicole: "i did it! i'm already thinking of my next one. it was amazing. here's a trip report for those interested. and thanks to all of you who contributed to this thread and shared your wisdom. my trip went well and i know a lot of it was due to the info i found here. so thank you!



http://www.bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=trip.report_view&sel_trp_id=3637"

congrats! ill be reading it.

heres the link

Way to go.

Congrats!

Congrats Nicole. Beautiful report. Solo's are life changing......

Outstanding thanks for the great read.

I really liked your trip report. It's great you enjoyed your first solo trip and you're game for more solo adventures.

Hans Solo

Congratulations! Nice report. Thank you for posting.