BWCA maiden voyage Boundary Waters Group Forum: Solo Tripping
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golanibutch
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11/11/2013 02:47PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hi guys/gals. I've been thinking of doing a solo trip for awhile. I've read through threads and am settling on what I hope will be a May trip. I've known/followed a bunch of you guys over the years (devries,kanoes, etc)and have loads of respect for your experience and love of tripping and the bwca and the q. I've tripped 3 times with small groups (the last in the Q with the Mrs), and though no expert, I feel comfortable. I realized most of my questions have been asked and answered in previous threads. Here goes it anyway:

What's the pecking order for solo canoes?

I'd really like to go to the Q because of the fishing. Maybe base camp in North Bay for 2 days and then somewhere else for a couple of days. Any suggestions?

What's the earliest I can plan on ice-out and how does an early season trip play along with a maiden solo?

Thanks,

Butch
 
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11/11/2013 04:02PM  
What's the pecking order for solo canoes?
Just a canoe you paddle alone! Personal preference and availability are the first deciders of what you paddle.

I'd really like to go to the Q because of the fishing. Maybe base camp in North Bay for 2 days and then somewhere else for a couple of days. Any suggestions?
Pick a comfortable trip (to you), for a starter. Nothing wrong with crawling before walking, much less hitting the ground running.

What's the earliest I can plan on ice-out and how does an early season trip play along with a maiden solo?
Again I don't recommend pushing any envelope for the first few solo trips. You will be lonely and the early ice out period can be a bit desolate.

butthead
 
11/11/2013 04:12PM  
I had to cancel a trip once due to late ice out. And once went in late may and ice out had occurred over a month prior. Can't be reliably predicted at this point.

Bell Magic or Wenonah Prism I believe are the top two solo canoes. I almost changed entry points once due to the nearby outfitter not renting magics...

Fishing from a solo canoe is...well...not as easy.

Early entry, big water, and cold temps are not my choice for solos.

Kanoes who?
 
yellowcanoe
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11/11/2013 04:59PM  
Maiden solo and early trip. Plan on going slow. Take whatever you need to be warm and dry and off the ground cooking.

Axe and saw is a pretty good idea. You may be first in for the year on a portage trail. I always forget about this....doh.

Pecking order? If you are starting out..what you can carry comfortably and get a hold of easily. There are lots of good tripping solos but not all are easy to get a hold of in the Midwest. Its not a big deal at this point. If you can paddle one ahead of time its a plus but be aware that with a load, boats that seem twitchy empty are fine loaded.
 
OBX2Kayak
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11/11/2013 07:50PM  
Just do it. You'll have a great time.
 
11/11/2013 08:18PM  
Another factor in shoulder season trips is shorter length of day. Going solo the nights can be the most "interesting", especially on the first night out.
 
11/11/2013 08:22PM  
quote OBX2Kayak: "Just do it. You'll have a great time."

+1.....You will love it!
 
gkimball
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11/12/2013 07:42PM  
Soloing intensifies all aspects of a trip. Preparation, travel, the canoe trip, trip home, after trip remembrances. Others will not be able to understand what you did and experienced - unless they have done it themselves - so it will always be your own trip. Start small and work into it...you will learn from every trip you take. Why bite off more than you are ready for until you are comfortable with the biggest adventure you will ever do? Be safe, there will be many ways to mess yourself up as even the smallest mishap can become big trouble when alone. Let those at home know where you will be - they may need to save you. Use bear canisters and religiously keep a clean camp. Pack light but be ready for the worst conditions possible for the time of year you go. Pack extra food. Eat and sleep well. Stop early in the day to conserve energy and give yourself time to see what is there. I want to be buried with my Wenonah Wilderness...it's the best all around boat I've used soloing. Enjoy the adventures!
 
yellowcanoe
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11/12/2013 08:42PM  
quote bhouse46: "Another factor in shoulder season trips is shorter length of day. Going solo the nights can be the most "interesting", especially on the first night out. "


Hate to burst your bubble but May is unique in two respects.

Coldest water of the year.

The daylight lengths approach the longest of the year.

Yes the boogie man comes most often the first night out.
 
wetcanoedog
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11/13/2013 01:40AM  
i have been in the Q in the last two weeks of may and it was cold and damp,a few nice days but be ready for changeable weather.
on the last day going thru the carry into Basswood the trail was lined with flowers,that was a first,and i told myself no more may trips.
last week of may,first of june was better but working i had to take time early in the season because people wanted summer vacations for their family's..i got stuck with some september trips for the same reason.the water will be ice cold and in mid may i have seen ice still on the hillsides on lake agnes.
if you make it to north bay get into the S chain.short carrys and easy to get around in lakes.
take warm gear and extra stove fuel so your not beating the brush for fire wood to get your dinner.after dinner get firewood for a warming blaze.hitting camp and having that hot meal will make everything better.being cold and tired and trying to make a cooking fire is a downer...
take stuff like oatmeal and soups for lunch,peanut butter and cracker is summer food.
not many people will be around so wear your PFD and don't take chances.
the brush will not be leafed in so you will get good views into the woods on the portage and around camp,that made me feel better about being alone on my first trips.
i can't tell you about solo boats or fishing as i don't have or do much.
 
11/13/2013 06:45AM  
You'll have a good time on your first solo. There is more work involved and as has been said the weather and water temps are cold. Don't bite off more than you can chew on your first trip. Take it easy and get the method down for soloing. After that the next ones get better and better.
 
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