When I'm on a trip I make mental notes on how I can improve the next trip. The number one item on that list was going solo. I want to be responsible for my gear. When I portage and the pack is too heavy its my fault. Complaints will be strictly between myself and my gear. If I decide to go tandem my pack will be solo. I enjoy peace and solitude. I enjoy canoeing with other canoeist. I'm excited about canoeing with a group of solo canoeist.

I'm getting into solo trips simply because its getting just too hard to get other people organized and committed to a date very far into the future. I think trips could be a little more interesting if you add some spontaneity. Henry David Thoreau is interesting to contemplate while alone in the wilderness.

i can relate to that hiawatha!

I just picked up a solo last year and haven't done a trip with it yet but I got it to allow me to spend more time in the BW/Q. If none of my tripping partners are available when I have time off, if we have an odd number in our group - it is no longer a problem. I really enjoy the group trips but I think that I will like an occasional solo as well.

i cant find friends willing to commit to a longer trip (more than 4 days). that makes me sad.

As my kids have grown up and have their own friends and interests my friends have gotten older and don't want the exertion of a BW trip. At the same time I've become less willing to tolerate some of the people I once associated with. The result is more solo trips.

I did my first solo in 2006. Every evening as I sat by my fire I'd say "What am I doing here all alone. I wish my wife was here. In the morning I'm packing up and and heading out!"

Every morning I'd wake up absolutely delighted at having a day in the wilderness, nobody to please but myself.

I can relate to the oldgentleman and Hiawatha very well. It has become increasingly difficult for me to organize a trip and meet the expectations of the group members. Sometime I get so tiered of organizing a trip I think to myself it is time to hang my paddles. I have never done solo trips (other than day trips) but I own solo canoes and have paddled solo when we have had odd numbers of paddlers. My wife is against solo trips and frankly I am not sure how I will handle the loneliness in the wilderness. But I have always been attracted to it because of the freedom it offers. I always read others solo trip report with envy.

i've got my first solo this spring. doing it for the same reasons listed above and also just to try my luck at being alone for a week. organizing is one of my biggest beefs with the group trips as it usually comes down to me making the decisions (since no one else take the time).

hopefully my plan to keep my sanity works well (i'll be bringing some knot tying books, navigation books, etc. stuff i should already know, but it should keep me busy while not traveling.

The hermit in me makes me do it!

butthead

Here, Here to Hermitism....but do you have a notorized hermit permit?

That's MY business, not your's!

butthead

PS: Oops, got a bit carried away.

I can relate with everyone on this page especially oldgent,my friends I think are terror stricken when I mention going to the bwca.Its not for everyone and I know,no matter how much I try to explain how much they would enjoy the solitude and pristine wilderness and maybe take a little step back in time,its all in vain and they will never experience this "zen".But maybe thats what makes it so special,that it takes a special type of person to do and enjoy
doing it.Personally when I am in the wilderness alone,its my church.Never do I feel more at one with myself than when I'm alone in the wilderness.

All of my group trips have been good experiences but I've always wondered what it would be like to set my own agenda. There are times when I just want to linger at the camp, read a book, crank up a fire, or just soak in the scenery yet it seems that someone in the party always wants to take off and go fishing... all day, every day!

I can't wait for my first solo in June.

Posting on a website flies in the face of true hermitism. It's in the handbook.

timberwolf, I've talked people into wilderness trips and regretted every minute of it. You get into the perfect camp with good fishing, solitude, everything you could want, and listen to somebody whining about being cold, bored, scared, whatever. You're right, it's not for everybody. They completely miss the entire "zen" of the wid.

. . . that's "wild".

schedule coordination

It's much more of a challenge than a group trip.

I envy you natural hermits, I've had to ease my self into it. I do find myself enjoying it more and more as I spend more time solo.

I've done 4 solos and it's always cause I don't know anyone in my circle of friends who would even want to go to the BW. I've taken a younger brother and later my Dad but they seemed to say how hard everything was. They're more the cabin type.

Anyway, except for occasional loneliness I love going solo but am at the point where a group solo would be perfect.

At first I thought a solo was more of a challenge but I believe it is more challenging coordinating a group. I have only been on one large group trip with a total of 8, 2 adults and 6 teenage boys. I was not the leader but I marvel at the organization of the trip the leader put together. He plans many trips a summer for groups and we talk weekly. He has never done a solo trip. I don't think I would want to deal with the stress of planning a group trip and have to worry about everyone enjoying themselves and getting along.

Solo canoe trips present a different challenge, more physical? For me my solo trip is more relaxing than planning a trip for the family.

Both solo and group trips have their own different challenges.

Solos are less physically demanding for me than going with my son. He's 32, very fit, and wants to cover lots of miles. When I solo I can base camp or just go as long as I feel like it. He usually prefers to go with his young, strong friends. If the canoe isn't making a serious wake he's not happy.

Rambler-I don't know if I could have said it any better...except for the part about hanging up the paddles. My girlfriend may never allow me to do a true solo but I look forward to group solo-ing at some point and being the "odd man" in the solo. My solo adventures will probably be day trips and local outings. Don't have my boat yet but planning a purchase this spring.

I put a lot of pressure on myself to ensure the safety and enjoyment of trip mates. Probably too much. But it's so gratifying to have a friend express how much fun they're having or saying they want to do it again-that's priceless-and why I do it.
tg

Tg, if you don't mind me asking - why won't your girlfriend allow you to go on a solo?

When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time alone, hunting, fishing, or exploring. I was vaguely aware that many of the kids I knew rarely, if ever, spent any time alone in the woods. They tended to be gregarious and when they did go hiking, or other activity, they did it as a group.
The pattern of spending 50-60 percent of my time in the woods alone continued through adulthood. My brothers are identical in this respect. I'm sure it is ingrained part of my personality.
Other reasons I have for wanting to travel alone match oldgentleman's reasons.

unfortunately i am diabetic and while i have never had a hypoglycemic episode that required medical attention or even assistance from her-she is rightly concerned. i always pack plenty of granola bars or little snacks in case i get low but you have a tendency not to think straight when low. its good to have people looking out for you. were it not for the diabetes i am sure the risks everyone faces when out there solo would scare her-but i could probably sell her on a solo trip.
tg

im planning my second solo ever for around iceout this year (pre-opener). i did my first solo the wrong way...i basecamped. way too much free time. im trying to muster the nerve for a 7 nighter....covering alot of ground every day.

i, like beavers, will have to ease myself into it. im not a natural loner (bad term, but it kinda fits). like many have said here, i find it hard to get people to commit.

i also love the idea of a group solo thing.

Jan

I ahve not (YET) soloed but I believe this year is the year for it and I am aching with anticipation. I am thinking late September may be my first solo. I, too, am growing tired of putting all the effort into organizing a group, making all the plans, making the menu to please everyone, and worying will everyone be happy, only to have someone unhappy and complaining. no one else seems to want to take on the burden of group leader but everyone wants to complain about the results. Just my experience. I like to be the group leader but I yearn for the freedom of a new day with no one to please but myself. I just am very ready for a solo trip, I think.

kensofe,

A solo can be very freeing. No timetable but the sun. No desires but your own to contend with.

well, the sun and your bowels. lol

Here Here Kensofe!

I have no friends.

tg, my son is a type 1 diabetic too. He has done several solo trips, including a 2 week backpacking solo in Alaska north of Fairbanks. We're always very worried the whole time he's gone. I believe I side with your girlfrend on ths.

If you ever do decide to do a solo I'd strongly recommend taking a Personal Locater Beacon, like the Spot. Then maybe you could help talk my son into carrying one!

the spot looks promising and i might be able to convince the girlfriend (and parents) with one...

but if something were to happen i hate the idea of relying on others to get me out of "my" jam (speaking as a solo paddler-if i'm paddling with a group they sure as hell better help:)!)...i don't think its reasonable or responsible to always expect others to come running to your assistance-not in a wilderness area. perhaps that's just stubborn me. i'd rather limp out 4 days late and a little hungry than call for help but i don't think that's the norm anymore (among this selected group of BWCA.comers perhaps it is-seems like a good topic for a new thread). as with increased cell phone service in the BWCA i'm sure local authorities are concerned that people will have unreal expectations of service and safety. "ah, but help is just a call away..." enough of my highjacking-i'll start my own thread...

The group I tripped with disbanded due to life taking different directions.

During this time I discovered this site and learned that solo trips were actually a thing. As I read more and more I became obsessed with it. And did it.

Solo tripping elevated my wilderness experience exponentially and brought an intimacy with canoe country I had never thought was possible. I'm not sure I could ever do a group trip again.

Here is why I solo:

Simplicity

Intimacy with nature

Mental and Spiritual Rejuvenation

If you haven't done it. You should.

JW

Wow! Old thread. Strange to see some names who aren’t on the board anymore. I’ve learned that I enjoy trips with people who have experience ie: they won’t complain! Solo is still awesome but meeting up with other solos for a couple nights along the way or doing full on group solos with a good group is all I really want to do these days. I’ve brought newbies and it’s not really enjoyable.

TomT: "... group solos with a good group is all I really want to do these days. "

I still take several tandem trips a year and love them, but my favorite is the Spring trip with a great tripping partner who has his own solo. You have great company, but can, fish, explore, pray, or just enjoy the silence. It is great to be able to share the campfire and the portages together.

MidwestFirecraft: "

TomT: "... group solos with a good group is all I really want to do these days. "

I still take several tandem trips a year and love them, but my favorite is the Spring trip with a great tripping partner who has his own solo. You have great company, but can, fish, explore, pray, or just enjoy the silence. It is great to be able to share the campfire and the portages together."

Looking forward to this in Aug 2021, headed into Skipper with a friend, two solo canoes, two hammocks, two jetboils. :)

We've been friends since 1985. Talk about vintage. I can't wait.

Well said, JW. I did it first because nobody else could do it and it was either do it alone or not all. And it is a totally different experience.

I've only ever gone with one or two and I like those. I couldn't go with a large group. I've spent a few days with other soloists on trips - it may happen again this year - and liked those. But they aren't the same experience.

So, I do it because it's necessary. It's simpler, less complicated, more fluid - there are no distractions between me and the experience.

"I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude."
-Thoreau

I solo for one simple reason. My terms...everything is on my terms. If I want to bust hump and paddle 30 miles in a day, I do it. If I want to change the itinerary on a whim because a lake looks fishy, or I got the itch to explore a PMA, I do it. If I want to get up at 11 am because my sleeping bag is so cozy, I do it. These are things that are not easy or welcome in a group setting, and I like my freedom to do what I want. I still enjoy my group trips, but I enjoy my solo trips most of all.

Tony

GopherAdventure: "I solo for one simple reason. My terms...everything is on my terms. If I want to bust hump and paddle 30 miles in a day, I do it. If I want to change the itinerary on a whim because a lake looks fishy, or I got the itch to explore a PMA, I do it. If I want to get up at 11 am because my sleeping bag is so cozy, I do it. These are things that are not easy or welcome in a group setting, and I like my freedom to do what I want. I still enjoy my group trips, but I enjoy my solo trips most of all.


Tony"

Agreed! That's a huge part of what I love about it. It's total freedom. At least one day on a solo I'll just take a "do nothin' day" and just hang around camp. I'll make a huge breakfast, make double coffee, read a book, swim, throw the ball for the dog, explore the trails, nap, etc. It's really fun when there's nothing on the agenda.

After reading all the old posts and then the new posts I was glad to see Im not the only one. I can do as I please. I dont have to listen to anyone else whine about the trip or their life in general. I get away from everyday life and expectations. I can listen to nature. I can get to know myself a little better and work on my shortcomings.
Ive not done a solo canoe trip yet but I do a lot of solo hiking, hunting, fishing. The canoe trip will happen this year.