Time flies along for me when I solo. I can look at my watch and two hours passed in a blink. I also notice that camp chores and portaging indeed take longer. So I would like to hear from others what you do to make chores not take as long. And how much time do you think you shave off?

One thing I do is neatly wrap and tie my tie-out lines on my tarp. It takes a little extra time to do it, but the other end of it seems make up for it. No messing with knotted lines during setup or rushing to beat a downpour with a tangle of lines.

Another thing I do is turn two motions or actions into one. For instance, a trip to the dunny is also a firewood gathering return trip.

while im still out in deeper water ill grab a sea to summit sink full of water before i land at camp, ready for purifying.

tied cord loops to the web loops on my tarp to make stringing and tying easier.

Before I leave home I mix my gin, vermouth and olives into one nalgene.

Having one solo under my belt I haven't had enough time to figure out any more solo camping hacks. Looking forward to this thread growing though.

quote kanoes: "while im still out in deeper water ill grab a sea to summit sink full of water before i land at camp, ready for purifying"

Good one. Reminds me of group base camping and having a portable shower deal for washing hands as well as pumping water out of. Real timesaver to have lake water at camp to just pump vs. pumping from shore or canoeing out into lake.

Really pare down the load. I know that is something that we all strive to do but it helps to keep it well organized. Keep meal preparation simple. I don't always put up a tarp. If it is raining in the AM I will pop the tarp up if needed. I am not big on having a fire but if wood is easy to come by I might have a small one.

Time also flies for me when I'm solo. One way I make camp chores not take as long is to eliminate some of them. This also has the advantage of reducing bulk and weight. For example, I only take dehydrated meals that I can eat out of the bag or foods that don't need cooked. This eliminates dishwashing and cooking, reduces the equipment and fuel needed. I also use a BearVault, which saves time, work, and worry - however, it does add bulk and weight. Like hobbydog, I rarely have a fire and when I do it's small and made with available wood - no sawing, chopping, splitting. No axe or saw to carry. A gravity filter saves time and work of pumping water.

Something Hobbydog mentioned is being organized. Know where everything is. And have a system down. I too try to keep my cooking simple. But there are meals I enjoy that take a little extra doing. But when you do them often with sort of a system they don't take a lot of time.

I pack so there are no loose items while portaging. I use paddle clips under my seat so I only carry pack(s) and canoe. My camp chair is either strapped to the thwart, or my pack.
I use a Jetboil and only eat fast meals... no cleanup except for my dish, which I fill with left over hot water, shake, dump and re-rinse... no dish washing otherwise. Some want to "eat good" when on a trip. I eat too well at home as it is, so freeze dried is fine with me. My lunch is pre-packaged in my day pack so I'm not digging in the big pack or barrel during the day. I grab water before I hit camp, and seldom filter, if I believe the source was clean.
Once camp is set up, I gather all items that I will need to cook a meal and do clean-up, and keep it at hand around my chair. I cook, eat and clean-up without leaving my chair. I once watched a former paddling mate cook a full meal, bake a cake, wash dishes, dry them and put everything away without once leaving his chair. That really showed me how inefficient I had been in the past.
Before dark, all of my things are gathered and in their place, so I don't need to be wondering around with a head lamp searching for things. My head lamp (clip light) stays in my pocket during the day, so I don't have to go searching for it later on.
Many trips require different ways to pack, so at home I memorize where everything goes, then re-packing in camp goes fast.
When leaving camp, I put the canoe at the edge of the water first, so I'm not stumbling over packs to get it there.

I've gone to eating no-cook breakfasts like fruit, breakfast bars, granola, etc. Since I'm not all that hungry on my solos, it seems to work great. No muss, ..no fuss.

Simplify. Plan ahead. One skillet meals. I am starting to ask myself, "If I did not have it with me what would I do?" Amazing what I really seldom use and would be okay without. I do not skimp on safety items. Efficiency is becoming more fine tuned. The trip to locate the throne is firewood scouting and collecting on the return trip.
And I read these posts regularly learning new things all the time that save me time. Good tip on water from the lake Kanoes.

My next days clothes are in the tent with me. I get out of the sack, dress, roll my bag, roll the mat, and have everything into my pack on first trip out. Then I drop the tent and roll it up, also going into the pack. Only then do I start my coffee and breakfast items. I bet I save a good 15 minutes not fumbling around with those morning chores. Plus, I hate getting in and out of a tent so once is enough.

If it rains or things are damp, this doesn't work as easy.

I may have to try that, Exo, or maybe some variation. I like to have my coffee first thing and work on stuff while I drink it, but sometimes it just seems to take too long. I could at least stuff the sleeping bag and open the valves on the air mattress.

I also do my tarp lines, but I just fold them over until they're short enough and secure with a BDB - it's pretty quick.

Like portagekeeper I also minimize loose items to deal with at portages. I double portage - one small pack and canoe and a larger pack. I take the canoe over the first trip most times now so I only lift it once. I take out the large pack for the second trip and set it off to the side, then the small pack and canoe and I'm off.

I usually just eat lunch and snacks on the walk back across a portage for the final load.

Interesting story about your friend, portagekeeper - I'll have to look into being more efficient with that stuff.

I've gone to freezer bag cooking for all of my meals. Simple to prep (just add boiling water), light weight, takes up less space, and no dishes to wash.

I guess when I start traveling more I'll have to work on time savers, my only time saver is don't were a watch then your not looking at it all the time.

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like I have more hours in the day when I'm solo vs. canoeing with my family. Meals are simpler, clean-up is nothing, lunch is on the go. I wake up long before the rest of the family. Solo I can eat breakfast, pack-up and be well on the way to the next site before the entire family would even be out of the tents in the morning.

quote RAFA Ranger: "Maybe it's just me, but I feel like I have more hours in the day when I'm solo vs. canoeing with my family. Meals are simpler, clean-up is nothing, lunch is on the go. I wake up long before the rest of the family. Solo I can eat breakfast, pack-up and be well on the way to the next site before the entire family would even be out of the tents in the morning.


"

I agree, it seems like there is a perception that soloing is more work. I find it much easier, most likely because everything is much simpler.

quote boonie: I usually just eat lunch and snacks on the walk back across a portage for the final load.
"

I tried to save time by eating my lunch on a portage while carrying the big pack. I almost choked to death while climbing a hill with a mouth full of sandwich. Nope, never again. Only snacks while portaging from now on.

Well, Tom, I only do it when I'm walking back unloaded. And I only eat a ProBar. I certainly wouldn't try to eat a sandwich carrying the big pack up a hill either ;). I'd probably inhale it and choke to death :). I'd hate to leave a mess like that for somebody else to clean up.

food-breakfast, oatmeal w/walnuts, raisins-instant.
lunch, jerky, bars.
evening-alpine air foods, hawk vittles. hawk sells a neat heating pouch to re-constitute your dried meals. works with all brands, really nice.
shelter, my exped solo packs so small, i bring my hennessy as well.
both shelters set up in no time.

quote bwcasolo: evening-alpine air foods, hawk vittles. hawk sells a neat heating pouch to re-constitute your dried meals. works with all brands, really nice.
"

I will be trying some Kawk Vittles for the first time in Sept. Got about 6 dinners and a couple breakfasts and I ordered the cozy too. I had the problem of the dinners getting cold on me once I started eating out of the pouch so this warmer thingy looks real nice and think it's worth the investment. I've heard good things about their dinners too.

Paddling solo also seems to be an art. It's not so noticeable in a tandem, but I could almost feel my canoe slowing every time my blade was perpendicular to the water when out of the canoe. I quickly began a quarter rotation when I pulled my paddle oUt of the water, making the paddle parallel to the water and slicing through the air. Especially important in a headwind.

I also saw the inefficiency of not putting the paddle all the way into the water, causing those mini whirlpools.

I think another timesaver is being an efficient paddler and practicing or being taught how.

like many others, the big time saver is how I eat, nearly everything only requires adding hot water, it is great not having to clean anything up

I don't bring a tarp, so that saves time putting up & taking down, it has always seemed strange to me to want a roof between me and the great outdoors

portages are a time saver, nobody to coordinate with, just do it, I eat power bars or similar and take care of natures duties, why do people always seem to announce they have to go to the bathroom halfway across a lake?

quote ZaraSp00k: "I don't bring a tarp, so that saves time putting up & taking down, it has always seemed strange to me to want a roof between me and the great outdoors"

oh, i dont know...they always seem kinda handy to me.

quote kanoes: "

quote ZaraSp00k: "I don't bring a tarp, so that saves time putting up & taking down, it has always seemed strange to me to want a roof between me and the great outdoors"

oh, i dont know...they always seem kinda handy to me."

No doubt kanoes!

Although it does take a little time to rig and break down, I could never see canoe-tripping without a tarp.

Besides, the only time I'm under it is when it's raining hard. Beats waiting out a storm or a heavy rain inside a tent IMHO.

Hans Solo

quote HansSolo: "

quote kanoes: "

quote ZaraSp00k: "I don't bring a tarp, so that saves time putting up & taking down, it has always seemed strange to me to want a roof between me and the great outdoors"

oh, i dont know...they always seem kinda handy to me."

No doubt kanoes!

Although it does take a little time to rig and break down, I could never see canoe-tripping without a tarp.

Besides, the only time I'm under it is when it's raining hard. Beats waiting out a storm or a heavy rain inside a tent IMHO.

Hans Solo"

yeah, tents should only be for sleeping. snow, wind, rain....i have to be outside under the tarp.

Tom- I think you'll like the Hawk Vittles dinners - which ones did you get? The cozy is absolutely essential to keep it warm. I have an old cozy made of reflectix - it's bulkier, but really keeps them warm. That's another one of the reasons I prefer eating out of the bag - I can keep it warmer in the cozy vs. out on a plate.

I'm definitely with Zara on the "add-hot-water/eat-out-of-bag/no-cleanup" food plan, but I'm with kanoes and Hans on the tarp, although it is a time consumer to set up. That's why I only set it up if I think I'll need it and I don't spend a lot of time making it perfect. I think some guys enjoy "engineering" a tarp setup. I'm definitely not one of those, but I do appreciate the shelter when the weather is bad. I can only stay in the tent so long. I only set it up once last fall, but some trips have been almost every day.

I'll have to admit after Exo's post that I'm not a really good paddler and I'm not particularly fast or efficient. Like most things, it's hard to be skillful without practice or instruction.

I would definitely attend a paddling class given the chance. I have tried to watch this video by Bill Mason, but it's hard to load.

http://www.nfb.ca/film/path_of_the_paddle_solo_basic/

Watch all the videos you want, but I need hands on instruction.

this setup takes less than a minute, i will use a tarp if weather is bad. if the bugs are bad this setup takes some getting used to.

quote boonie: "Tom- I think you'll like the Hawk Vittles dinners - which ones did you get? The cozy is absolutely essential to keep it warm. I have an old cozy made of reflectix - it's bulkier, but really keeps them warm. That's another one of the reasons I prefer eating out of the bag - I can keep it warmer in the cozy vs. out on a plate. "

I got about 6 dinners - Jambalaya, Bison stew,... Can't remember anymore. I also got two Breakfast casseroles. I know the hammock and circus guru "Shug" loves them so I thought I'd give 'em a try. They are in clear bags and look pretty gross.

quote TomT: "

quote boonie: "Tom- I think you'll like the Hawk Vittles dinners - which ones did you get? The cozy is absolutely essential to keep it warm. I have an old cozy made of reflectix - it's bulkier, but really keeps them warm. That's another one of the reasons I prefer eating out of the bag - I can keep it warmer in the cozy vs. out on a plate. "

I got about 6 dinners - Jambalaya, Bison stew,... Can't remember anymore. I also got two Breakfast casseroles. I know the hammock and circus guru "Shug" loves them so I thought I'd give 'em a try. They are in clear bags and look pretty gross.



"

Tom- You might want to review what I had to say about them in my trip report before you go.

quote boonie: Tom- You might want to review what I had to say about them in my trip report before you go."

Thanks. I didn't get the Salmon but do have Beef Stew. And yes, they are packaged smaller than say Mountain House which I appreciate. But being in clear bags doesn't make me want to eat it. I'd rather not have to see freeze dried dinners but just eat them. :)

I'll give a review on them with my report.

You could spray paint the bags, Tom ;).

I liked the Beef Stew (w/quinoa) and the Bacon Baked Beans. I've got some new ones to try this year too. I didn't mind the clear bags, but didn't like that they weren't zip lock or gusseted, but they did pack better.

Have a good trip...and don't starve to death ;).

I seem to be in the minority here, When I solo, I take my time. I am on MY schedule, no one else's. If I want a second, more likely, third cup of coffee, I have it. I will pack up the tent as the coffee is steeping, my bag is stuffed before I leave the tent, the tarp may already have been packed away the night before. But, these are things I do when with a group also. I take time as I paddle to explore interesting places and things. Not interested in covering 15+ miles a day. Naps are good. Perhaps this attitude comes from leading 30+ groups of high school students where every trip was scheduled and some groups had to be herded like cats.

quote eagle93: "I seem to be in the minority here, When I solo, I take my time. I am on MY schedule, no one else's. If I want a second, more likely, third cup of coffee, I have it. I will pack up the tent as the coffee is steeping, my bag is stuffed before I leave the tent, the tarp may already have been packed away the night before. But, these are things I do when with a group also. I take time as I paddle to explore interesting places and things. Not interested in covering 15+ miles a day. Naps are good. Perhaps this attitude comes from leading 30+ groups of high school students where every trip was scheduled and some groups had to be herded like cats. "

Herding cats. Haha.

I think the intent of this post was to find stuff to save time so we could expend that time elsewhere. Like that third cup of coffee as the fog rolls down the lake, or exploring that bay or inlet that looks interesting.

I started using snake skins on my tarp rather than a compression bag. Saves time setting up and tear down and packing is easier.

I have special diet needs as I had gastric bypass 4 ½ years ago. I need 75 – 100 grams of protein per day along with 1800 -2100 mg of calcium citrate.

In the past I have always just counted out what pills that I would need for my trip and put them into one bottle and then sort them out each day as I needed them.

One thing that I did on my last trip is I placed my morning medications and vitamins in a snack size Ziploc bag that I then placed into vacuum bag that I had my morning oatmeal in. I have to use Splenda so I can’t use the packets of oatmeal so I make my own. I also put my VIA coffee packets and a blueberry Belvita (an early morning snack) into this daily vacuum sealed bag.

I don’t stop really stop for a lunch break and more less snack all day long when I feel that I need to eat something. Into another snack size Ziploc goes calcium citrate that I can get to every couple hours. I also have some beef jerky in this bag and it stops from getting my gorp tasting like jerky. This last trip I packed two protein bars instead of taking powdered protein along with the gorp, jerky and a package of Ritz Colossal Cheddar crackers. These all vacuum sealed in their own bag as well. These crackers held up well.

Then with my evening meal went my night time meds that I need.

I did put another days’ worth of my meds in with some Tylenol in case I was out an extra day or two.

System worked out great. May look at McMaster Carr and find a little smaller ziploc bag than the snack size but that may be just a little anal.

Kevin you bring up a good point. I must have unpacked and repacked my food barrel four or five times a day looking for this and that for breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner, etc. over 9 days that was a lot of monkeying around.

Vac sealing and labeling daily meals is a good idea. I just don't want to get the munches or desire 1 item from day 6 with day 2's lunch and open this or that and end up with six opened bags and a mess...so some thought must go into planning.

I make and dehydrate all my meals and then reverse pack as best I can.
When I open my ursack I just eat from the top down, mostly.