I must confess...I'm crazy. I'm young and dumb. That being said, let me explain...

I just returned from Stuart Lake after a 2 night, 3 day trip (SOLO). Even after doing extensive research about this EP, I still chose to tackle it with hardly no time at all to enjoy it. I work as an EMT in the ER at one of the top hospitals downtown and left for my solo trip straight from work after clocking out at 0300 Friday AM. I drove straight to Ely, got my solo canoe from Packsack Outfitters (LOVE THEM!) and headed to the EP.

Due to logistical "errors" in packing and planning, I ended up TRIPLE portaging the 480 rod portage to Stuart River! Man, if I only had a gopro to record the thoughts and conversations I had with myself...! Anyways, I made it to Stuart at 2000 (8pm) and was absolutely floored by the beauty of this lake and area! Well worth it IMHO! I was able to setup camp and fall right to sleep (no surprise there). Unfortunately, I lagged the next day due to such a strenuous journey but was still able to get some good fishing in. Caught only wally's (not a bad problem to have) using plain hook with small split shot 3-4 feet up the line, using leech as bait ("TGO method")!

Then I had to wake up and turn right back around! THE HECK WAS I THINKING?! In my own defense...I'm married and have a 4 year old son. I'm blessed to have a wife that understands my passion for the BWCA and solo trips, so when I have ANY 3-4 days off from work she knows a solo could be "popping up".

Anyways, I made it there and back safely and have another notch on the solo belt! Bugs were horrid, fishing was great, water levels on Stuart were more than manageable (only 1 b dam pullover). Thanks everyone for listening to me vent, feel free to call me all sorts of names for pulling off such a grueling trip with so little time ;)

Heheheheh, I saw myself in your story! I'm a nurse. I remember when I was younger and would take 3-4 trips to the BWCAW every year. Living just under 1000 miles away, I've headed up there after work SEVERAL times. Once, during the big flood in the early '90's, we were delayed and I got home about 4pm and had to work a 7P shift that night. I also remember several times when I'd worked a 7P shift and a buddy or two and I headed north, me going on Diet Mountain Dew and adrenalin. Probably made 8-10 trips leaving on Monday morning and having to be back to work Saturday. They may have been "Rushed," but I wouldn't trade any one of those trips!

What, you think you're the only one who's done a trip like that? Sometimes we even do stuff like that on purpose... :P

Thanks for the response Ozark! I am pursuing my BSN so I don't think this will be the last trip of its kind in regards to the crazy times/schedule ;)

I smiled when reading your report Armydaddy. Why? Sitting here as a semi-retired, empty nester, and 61 years old, I'd love to be able to do a quickie trip like yours. I now must do longer mostly base camping trips, but it takes so much time to plan and get-er-done that I can go only once or twice a year. So keep on keeping on while you are able. Remember, all trips are good, just some are better than others.

You are all so kind! Thanks for all the positive responses and making me feel more and more "normal"!

I remember my first solo.. I was a medic and juggled a schedule so I could get some time packed together for a first solo. I remember and not too fondly triple portaging for the first few portages. NONE were 480 rods though! Maybe 480 meters.. Finally I got my act together..and had to run through the trip to run home arriving home 35 minutes before my first shift.. I remember hoping no one coded on my shift..

that wasn't a vent. that was a description of a typical solo trip. nice thing is, you may have been &%^$# about the portage, but no one was around who cared, just you. and it was a good time anyways, somehow.

quote armydaddy: "Thanks for the response Ozark! I am pursuing my BSN so I don't think this will be the last trip of its kind in regards to the crazy times/schedule ;) "

Good for you! Payback for the stress, the odd shifts, working holidays, etc is satisfaction that you're making a differencer, job stability and flexible schedules. I may be working the next 4, but all next week when most folks have left for home I'll be out paddling!

I see nothing wrong with your trip. =)


What campsite did you stay at?

Sounds like a good trip. Triple portaging a 480 though....WOW!!

I have done seven, four day solo trips. I always had the last Thurs. and Fri in Oct off, and always had two personal days I saved for early May. Enjoyed every one of those shorties. I see nothing crazy about what you did. Now, there may be some people that might, but they probably have never been to the BW.

You're not only a lot younger, you live a lot closer than I do ;).

quote SevenofNine: "I see nothing wrong with your trip. =)



What campsite did you stay at?"

Northeast campsite, which was perfect for 1-4 people. Northern most campsite was taken when I arrived Friday night and they were gone the next morning with the lake to myself. I had ZERO desire to pack up camp and move sites ;) Great fishing from the site I stayed at...

quote boonie: "You're not only a lot younger, you live a lot closer than I do ;)."

What city do you live in? For some reason I thought you lived closer based off of your many trips and great posts! Guess I have little to no excuses left for myself not taking/making trips! ;)

quote yellowcanoe: "I remember my first solo.. I was a medic and juggled a schedule so I could get some time packed together for a first solo. I remember and not too fondly triple portaging for the first few portages. NONE were 480 rods though! Maybe 480 meters.. Finally I got my act together..and had to run through the trip to run home arriving home 35 minutes before my first shift.. I remember hoping no one coded on my shift.."

Lol, you're mention of arriving 35 minutes before shift made me laugh out loud. Yes, a code would be HORRIBLE under that those conditions! Where/who were you a medic with?

quote jwartman59: "that wasn't a vent. that was a description of a typical solo trip. nice thing is, you may have been &%^$# about the portage, but no one was around who cared, just you. and it was a good time anyways, somehow."

+ 1

quote ozarkpaddler: "

quote armydaddy: "Thanks for the response Ozark! I am pursuing my BSN so I don't think this will be the last trip of its kind in regards to the crazy times/schedule ;) "

Good for you! Payback for the stress, the odd shifts, working holidays, etc is satisfaction that you're making a differencer, job stability and flexible schedules. I may be working the next 4, but all next week when most folks have left for home I'll be out paddling!"

EXACTLY! Healthcare offers great flexibility. Doesn't hurt that I love people and feel like I am making a difference in someone's life each shift :)

I live in WV, 1,200 miles away.

quote armydaddy: "

quote yellowcanoe: "I remember my first solo.. I was a medic and juggled a schedule so I could get some time packed together for a first solo. I remember and not too fondly triple portaging for the first few portages. NONE were 480 rods though! Maybe 480 meters.. Finally I got my act together..and had to run through the trip to run home arriving home 35 minutes before my first shift.. I remember hoping no one coded on my shift.."

Lol, you're mention of arriving 35 minutes before shift made me laugh out loud. Yes, a code would be HORRIBLE under that those conditions! Where/who were you a medic with?"

Worse like many medics I had THREE jobs. One as a casino medic at Foxwoods, and for two municipal services in Connecticut..

I haven't met many EMS people who do with one job. My son in law has three. I am pushing for him to get his PA so he can get off the street. He cant juggle three jobs forever. It sucks being a street medic at sixty.

quote yellowcanoe: "

quote armydaddy: "

quote yellowcanoe: "I remember my first solo.. I was a medic and juggled a schedule so I could get some time packed together for a first solo. I remember and not too fondly triple portaging for the first few portages. NONE were 480 rods though! Maybe 480 meters.. Finally I got my act together..and had to run through the trip to run home arriving home 35 minutes before my first shift.. I remember hoping no one coded on my shift.."

Lol, you're mention of arriving 35 minutes before shift made me laugh out loud. Yes, a code would be HORRIBLE under that those conditions! Where/who were you a medic with?"

Worse like many medics I had THREE jobs. One as a casino medic at Foxwoods, and for two municipal services in Connecticut..


I haven't met many EMS people who do with one job. My son in law has three. I am pushing for him to get his PA so he can get off the street. He cant juggle three jobs forever. It sucks being a street medic at sixty."

Wow, what a commitment!! to both you and your son-in-law. I've worked with allot of medics and most survived because there wife or husband was a doctor or a lawyer!!

I just realized I made a mistake in mentioning what campsite I stayed at. It was the NORTHWEST campsite, not NORTHEAST. Again, great fishing from camp and it met my "needs" for camp. Although no beautiful mermaids swam by and invited me for a dip, so I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars ;)