I will be going on my first solo entering at EP49 Skipper Lake at the end of June. I have not decided if I will go for 3 or 4 days yet and this is where I need some input. If I go three days I figured I would go to Banadad night one and night two stay on either Rush or Skipper. If I go four days, I will do a loop either ending at Ham or Poplar. My main concern with this trip is that I get bored very easily so I have always done trips where I am moving all the time. Two years ago, I went from Long island to caribou in one day without a problem. However, that was with another person and single portaging. Going solo, I think I will have to double portage so I have no idea how long portaging will take me. So for the veteran solo travelers what do you think would be the best option.

Camp chores take quite a bit longer on a solo, at least that's my experience. Collecting firewood especially. Do a loop and challenge yourself? Put some miles in.

Do a loop! Base camping alone can get boring. Moving each day keeps the excitement and anticipation levels high...

Goat

Solos are pretty individualistic, and you'll have to find what works for you. I wouldn't bite off too much on a first solo

Double portaging will take about 3X as long as single portaging since you'll walk each one 3X, although only twice with a load. Enjoy it, look around, take some pictures, etc.

As mentioned camp chores will take longer since you have to do them all - there's no one to set up the tent while you filter water, etc. I usually simplify chores when I'm solo - meals are simple, fires are infrequent and small.

You should get a good taste of it on the first portage (320 rods) and the travel to Banadad and the first day's camp set up.

I'd wait and make the decision then about the loop, keeping in mind that there are no campsites between Banadad and Long Island, just some tough portaging. The travel from Long Island to Omega is tough, especially the Muskeg-Kiskadinna portage. After that not so bad.

Enjoy your first solo!

quote boonie: "Solos are pretty individualistic, and you'll have to find what works for you. I wouldn't bite off too much on a first solo


Double portaging will take about 3X as long as single portaging since you'll walk each one 3X, although only twice with a load. Enjoy it, look around, take some pictures, etc.


As mentioned camp chores will take longer since you have to do them all - there's no one to set up the tent while you filter water, etc. I usually simplify chores when I'm solo - meals are simple, fires are infrequent and small.


You should get a good taste of it on the first portage (320 rods) and the travel to Banadad and the first day's camp set up.


I'd wait and make the decision then about the loop, keeping in mind that there are no campsites between Banadad and Long Island, just some tough portaging. The travel from Long Island to Omega is tough, especially the Muskeg-Kiskadinna portage. After that not so bad.


Enjoy your first solo!"

This is what I am leaning towards because I will not be able to truly know how fast I am able to go until I am out there.

My wife and I did Long Island through Omega-Meeds-Poplar in a day of rain too. It's not hard and none of the portages are that long. While boonie is right about 3x the portaging, the key is the portage lengths. I just had to double portage into and out of Morgan Lake due to little kids, which is 360 rods. That 3x is much more noticeable than on 50rod portages or less.

Obviously, none of us can tell you how to do it. To me, that's the beauty of solo tripping. You do everything at your own pace without getting concensus from everyone else. You can sleep late or packup at the crack of dawn. You can take an afternoon nap or scout for firewood. If you do everything the way you want, you'll have achieved solo tripping bliss.

as said above, camp chores take a lot of time. skipping a fire will save you a lot of work. also playing with saws and axes on a solo is not a good idea.

It depends on how long of day when you travel, I would travel from 5:30am till about 4:00pm that would leave me enough time for chores and to relax and in bed by 8:30 to 9:00pm, traveling long days can where you out, I would travel 4 days and layover the 5th day, weather can change your plans, so have options and in joy your trip.

Like others have said, take your time and watch your step and also take time to see the sites and you have to do all of the chores.

Make sure that you are getting enough fluids and you can probably cut down on how much food you take as well. I have to start forcing myself to eat after about day 4, I just have to make it part of the routine.

I still enjoy having a fire at night while others do not. Having an evening cigar and a cup of coffee by the fire is important to me. It gives me time to relax and reflect.

I like to move everyday as well and like to be on the water by 7am, hopefully before the wind starts up. I would not base camp, but that's me.

ditto on the watch your fluids intakes , be sure to wear a watch. and be sure to eat . when you stop eating and drinking, cause you have lost track of time. you start making bad decisions. i would do a loop.

I have decided to do a loop, after packing i was able to fit everything i need in to one pack so i will be able to single portage. I leave tomorrow for my trip and Friday will be my first day on the water.

Thanks everyone for all of the advice on my first solo

quote jjk2160: "I have decided to do a loop, after packing i was able to fit everything i need in to one pack so i will be able to single portage. I leave tomorrow for my trip and Friday will be my first day on the water.


Thanks everyone for all of the advice on my first solo"

Good luck...!

Hope you have a good trip! Be sure to report back ;).

Have great trip and take lots of pictures for us to see.

"My main concern with this trip is that I get bored very easily so I have always done trips where I am moving all the time."

Best thing is you are in control, you set your timing. Be methodical, be safe, enjoy the trip. You will discover much!

butthead