Yesterday was officially the first day I am finally less than a month out from my first solo trip (but who's paying attention?). I, of course, started going through a mental checklist of everything I need to take care of before setting off on my epic mini-saga. Out of nowhere I got the idea that I should make sure my last will and testament is in order....just in case. Anyone else do this or are my first time nerves already getting the best of me?

No, Sue requires I have mine in order. It is my ticket to go. Thanks for reminding me, one more item on the checklist with 6 weeks to go.

Well, it should be in order, trip or no trip...

I need to take care of that too.

Never ran through my mind, some day I'll think about that.

A will is something that has been on my "to-do" list for years. It's never kept me from going solo.

As long as my dog is taken care of I'm not sure there's much for me to put in order that I care to assign. So if I don't make it:

My will:

Mom gets the dog.

Brother gets hunting/fishing gear except for anything my cousins have "borrowed" and still possess, which they can now keep.

I'm sure the bank will appreciate the truck.

My two tripping buddies can flip a coin for my lucky silver dollar.

Personal belongings and other personal property to whoever in the family wants them, no preferences here.

Signed:

Duckman

A solo and a last will and testament? Morbid? Perhaps Morbid is too strong a word. However, a solo should not be a concern that rises to the level of getting a will.
On the other hand if a solo is what motivates you to get it done, well I guess you are better off regardless! Most all of us should have a will no matter what.

your thinking too hard!..solo is no hassle at all.i see it like paddling a city lake in Mpls and camping in my yard.
in all my long years i had one bear scare that was my fault and that was it.no dumps,no lost,no problems just going along the lakes up in the Q until 7:00 and finding a spot and off in the AM.
the BW is more of a hassle with the camps so i pull in to the first on i see after 4:00.
there is nothing out there that will bother you!read the storys by the old timers in the 30's40's50's and you have to dig deep for any real adventures.
i know the woods seems scary.on a buddy's first trip down the Moose river where the brush closes in he asked if i had a gun along and maybe get it out!
you will be back on the forum with a great story..have fun..

if you ever hear of my death on here, pay my wife fair prices for my gear, else you will be haunted by me until you die.

I too have been thinking I should have things set up so people know where I have money and such so they can take care of business. I'm not any more concerned about tripping though than even just jogging down the road at night like I do.

after posting yesterday it came back to me about being morbid.
my nothing can or will happen pat on the back was the result of being a old guy with lots of water under the canoe,so---on my first trip with a poor gear left over from Scouts and the Army i was making my way back and coming out on LaCroix from the Shelter of Coleman Island i could see the lake was ok on the east end but the passing bad weather left some big waves on the west before the narrows into the Dome Island area.
i did not want to shoreline because of the waves breaking on the rocks.
there were no whitecaps just big long waves as i left a tiny island for the narrows....i wrote a short note in my log book,warped it in a plastic bag and stuffed it inside my shirt!!!
the ride was a heart thumper and i would never do that again but what was i thinking!!!!at time i had no real attachments and except for the people who expected me back at work no one to really miss me.

Fifteen years ago my dad decided it was time to look over his will and up his life insurance policy, March 1999. He went through the will piece by piece with my mom and their lawyer, covering what to do with his dental practice should something happen to him before he retired and sold it. The next day he purchased a more substantial LI policy which my mom thought was crazy, he was only 46 and in great shape.

One month later he was shot and killed while turkey hunting in the Black Hills.

I would trade everything I have to have one more day with him, but his foresight continued to provide for our family after he was gone.

Now don't let this get in your head, It was an accident, but if you have the thought that your details should be in order before you go, do it.

quote kanoes: "if you ever hear of my death on here, pay my wife fair prices for my gear, else you will be haunted by me until you die."

This made me smile....AND I BELIEVE IT'S TRUE

Put it in order the drive to and from is the most dangerous thing you will be doing.

There is one guarantee in life.... So prepare things so those around will not have that additional stress.

quote DanCooke: "Put it in order the drive to and from is the most dangerous thing you will be doing."

Agreed!

Hans Solo

Not for a solo, but a will is a good idea no matter what you are doing. As others have said, there are many more things likely to end your life than a solo trip. It is Safe bro, be well prepared and you will have a beautiful trip.