I know that many of you on this board are "movers" - Moving through several lakes in one day. This pattern is repeated throughout your entire trip. Most in this camp also spends little to no time fishing because they prefer to explore. So my question is, how much of a lake can you really see at that pace. I spent a week on Pine (Near Trout) and did not see all of it. Granted, we were fishing and spent time going back to "hot spots".

My tentative plan in the fall is to do a loop through LIS North. If I don't shorten the route, it will end up being about 60 miles. It does not see possible to see very much when you are constantly moving. If I do this route, seems like my real objective will be "to accomplish it", not taking as much time to smell the roses or fish.

Thoughts?

I'm going on a 9 or 10 day solo this spring, I'm not going to try and move super fast but try to enjoy the area I'm in fish and take lots of pictures, the only place I'm spending more then 2 nights is when I get in to the PMA I'm going to visit, It's just to hard to see everything, but more about enjoying and relaxing.

When solo, I schedule lots of layover days to smell the roses. I outgrew the need for speed a long time ago.

i'm not sure i understand this question. if i spent a week dicking around on one lake, i will have 'seen' one lake, if i cover 15 miles a day for a week i will have 'seen' 105 miles of stuff.

I see a lot as I paddle. I also like to PADDLE. Like the last post....I'd like to see 105 miles of stuff rather than every detail of one lake.

quote cowdoc: "I see a lot as I paddle. I also like to PADDLE. Like the last post....I'd like to see 105 miles of stuff rather than every detail of one lake."

that's my solo style as well.

If you move every day, you will see more or you will see less.

If you move 15 miles per day, you will see more than if you move 7.5 miles or you will see less.

It depends on your perspective. It's your trip, so you can do whatever you want.

The loop you are contemplating is a great trip. Some people would enjoy it in 5 days; I'd probably prefer 10 days ;).

It took me several solos to determine my preferences, which are still subject to change :).

I hope you enjoy your trip, whatever way you decide to do it. It will, no doubt, be a learning experience.

Guess I'm all over the place in the terms described. I can sit and read a book for days on end, or sit and photograph hatching dragonflies for hours. On the other hand paddling 15 miles a day is fun also. Seems my answer is you will see and enjoy what you wish!
I did a 60 mile, 7 day, loop LIS North and saw lots enjoyed the hell out of the trip, and want to go back and see what I missed. Maybe it won't rain all week again!

butthead

The beauty of a solo trip is that you can do it any darn way you want. No compromising. So enjoy it your way.

quote bwcasolo: "

quote cowdoc: "I see a lot as I paddle. I also like to PADDLE. Like the last post....I'd like to see 105 miles of stuff rather than every detail of one lake."

that's my solo style as well."

Add me to the list with cowdoc & bwcasolo for all the same reasons.

I personally don't find it necessary to view every feature of every lake I travel through. Sometimes certain lakes are a destination for whatever reason and I'll spend time exploring, taking photos, relaxing or just soaking in the nature around me when I stop to camp there.

On most every trip, I'll take at least one lay-over day, sometimes two if my itinerary allows for it. Usually my lay-over day is spent on a lake that's very special, or at least special to me. It doesn't necessarily need to be laden with historical relics, waterfalls, or great fishing holes.

There are certain lakes that just put me in a comfort zone of sorts, and I feel as though just passing through, or just camping there for one night isn't enough. Some of those lakes that hold a certain charm for me are; Tuscarora in the BWCAW, Jesse, Kawnipi and Burntside in Quetico, just to name a few.

Hans Solo

I'm always looking forward to seeing the next lake. I guess that it's like wanting to see if the water's bluer on the other side of the portage. I've done that same route at least six times and it's never been boring, so I guess that I'm happy with my traveling style.

I guess it depends on what's important to you.

When I did this route, I wish I had more time to explore and 'get to know' a few of the lakes that I traveled through. But after my trip I felt greatly satisfied having done the entire route and having seen what was on my path. I stopped and took photos where I pleased and fished plenty early on in my trip.

and I feel like there is still enough mystery on several of the lakes that I traveled that would draw me back to do this route again.

Thanks all for your thoughts...

I guess it really is all about perspective. What you see and experience is all about the lens you are looking through. Some may say that paddling and portaging 10 miles a day doesn't allow you to see the depth of that lakes that you are passing through. Others would say just the opposite, that you are seeing and experiencing more because your going through lakes, terrain, and trails that may offer a variety of styles / structure.

In the 7 years I have been on this site, this question on moving or staying, going fast or slow has come up many times. Its always interesting to read the different responses. After a while you can figure out who will say move and who will say stay. The good part is all will agree, as you have said, its about your perspective in the end.

I agree with the above comments... I travel each day & don't require seeing every part of a lake. But will take the time to paddle over & check out special lake features I see.

I do what I feel like, one time on Jack Lake I had the perfect wind & just laid back with my feet on the gunnels & drifted the length of the lake... I can say I really enjoyed that lake, but spent most of it with my eyes closed soaking up the sun!!!

Echoing the message the benefit of solo is it can be the trip is yours to make it the way you want with the caveat that mother nature may have other plans.

As to seeing, that is interesting. I was taught I should be looking where my paddle enters the water and I paddle straighter when I am doing that so when I travel I watch the paddle and look around a little and then might slow down with less concern on straightness of course and soak up some shoreline or animal/etc should something catch my attention.

As posted on other similar threads, in the beginning it was a competition of how far, how much and all that. Now I think about the things I want to see and slow down. I will be doing more base camping and taking day trips, but would not enjoy just sitting around camp all day. I can read at home and when it is rainy/windy. Day trips are to explore and see what is to be seen, hear what is to be heard, smell what is to smell (mostly good) and to enjoy the being of the wilderness. It is more than seeing.

Who likes steak or who likes seafood best? Is your favorite color red or blue? Much the same discussion. No right or wrong, to each his own. One of the joys of a solo is you get to make the call yourself everyday of the trip.

I am definitely a mover, never basecamp on a solo or group trip. I like to move about 7-8 hours a day with very limited breaks. I have slowed the pace the last couple of years a tad in deference to age.

On the other hand my younger friends and I went from Minneapolis to Prairie Portage to Sag in one day last year so sometimes we still push hard. Felt great to do it but two days later had an irregular heartbeat in the middle of the Q so there must be a lesson there that even a dimwit like myself can figure out...

Just Do It! Your way. That's the beauty of a solo.

My 40 day trip was nice to where I could spend some time and moving both. I like to move, but it's fun to kick back and check out stuff too.

I'm a traveler, but I also like to explore nooks and crannies. It really depends on the trip and the mood. I agree with those who say "do whichever appeals to you." At the same time, I'd say to everyone that they should mix it up every once in a while and do something different, because that can be fun too.

Non gustibus disputandum est.

If hanging out and "seeing" more of a lake is your thing, do that. Personally, on solo trips, I start to get a little crazy if I sit around on the same lake for too long (that's true on group trips, too). But if you like really savoring a lake, getting to know its nooks and crannies, more power to you.

Smaller water is magical when paddling solo. Paddling is so quiet....you will definitely see more wildlife.

I would describe myself as a slow but constant mover. I don't paddle very fast, and always double portage. If a campsite is available when I stop to eat, I will take a nap. Just got my solo canoe a couple if years ago and have done only two trips. I enjoy the rhythm of paddling broken up by portaging, so that is what I do for a large portion of the day. At some point I know I will stop to enjoy the quiet solitude of camp life as well, but for now the urge is to keep moving. Other family vacation obligations have kept my trips to just 5 days, I envy those of you who mention 10-14 day trips.

quote AndySG: "
Just Do It! Your way. That's the beauty of a solo."

that's a great quote!

You will know different aspects of the environment doing both - moving and staying in one place for awhile. Each one determines what you will see, hear, smell and feel.

I led backpacking trips for high school kids in my 20's. As leaders we had done both styles - constant movement and base camp. We wanted them to learn from both - the challenge and stimulation of moving and the deeper sense of place and self that results from being in one place long enough to know something about it you wouldn't know by just traveling through, so we designed trips that combined moving with staying.

Now, in my 60's, I let the length of the trip decide. Four or fewer nights its bust my ass the first day going in and last day coming out, with base camping in between. Longer its shorter moves, stay in a camp 2-3 nights and move camp for another 2-3 nights. Key issues are avoiding fatigue and over-programming the time, which allows flexibility and adapting to conditions.

If you are new to soloing I would suggest planning a trip that allows both and learn what you like.

Read the BWJ solo trip article last night. It seems a little extreme to push yourself that hard... especially at 57. Some people are under time constraints I know... But smell some roses man. :)

quote nctry: "Read the BWJ solo trip article last night. It seems a little extreme to push yourself that hard... especially at 57. Some people are under time constraints I know... But smell some roses man. :)"

I enjoyed the story, but it's certainly not the way I'd want to do it either, nctry. I'm glad it was his trip and not mine.

quote nctry: "Read the BWJ solo trip article last night. It seems a little extreme to push yourself that hard... especially at 57. Some people are under time constraints I know... But smell some roses man. :)"

I guess I need to read this article.

Go slower, see more.
Go faster, see more.

I have gone both ways, sometimes in the same trip. If I am solo, I tend to go faster. Now that I have a wonderful tripping partner it is a blend as she sure likes to fish and explore the nooks and crannies when on shore.

Going fast builds stamina over the long haul. Being in shape is a good thing when challenges come your way. I have been ill on my last two trips. So thankful that I was in better than average shape or my last trip could have been my last.

I have to yet paddle a stroke in 2014. I have a female friend that has paddled over 608 miles since the first of the year. Now I wonder, who has seen more?

So just get out on the water wherever you can more often and you will, see more!

Like AndySG says, "Just DO IT! Your way."..... I been following that advice for over 48 years now. I have never worried once what other people think. You shouldn't either.