So, I've been thinking and wanting to get into this solo thing for quite some time now. I've read a lot about it on this site as well as others. As much as I enjoy tripping with a group, I want to eventually get to the point of doing BWCA solo trips. With that said I attempted my first solo overnighter at a local state park and opted for one of them backpack camp site about 300-500 yards from the parking lot with only a fire pit, picnic table, and a tent pad. I set up camp, relaxed the rest of the afternoon, and grilled a steak and a few beer brats. It was delicious !

Right before dusk I walked to the sheltered bathroom to fill up my water bottle and saw a guy sitting on a bench around a fire pit which was located next to the shelter. There was a bicycle next to him which at that point I figured it belonged to him. Got back to my camp, tossed a few logs in the fire, and just relaxed thinking to myself this solo thing isn't so bad after all. Before I went to bed I decided I should at least go clean and rinse a few dirty dishes. So back to the shelter restroom I went. It's almost 10pm by now. When I got to the shelter, the same guy was still there by the fire pit but now he's got a fire going. I thought that was weird. It's dark, the guy's in a t-shirt and shorts, and probably biked in. Thinking to myself he's probably just hanging out.

Got back to my site, got in my tent and tried to go to sleep. But every little noise, sticks breaking, and rustling in the bushes kept me awake for a good while. Though I'm only doing an overnighter at a park and could hear people and kids from across the other side of the lake, I was still creeped out by the noises in the darkness.

Around 1am I woke up to take a piss and my stomach decided it needed to go do a #2 too so I went back to the shelter bathroom. As I approached the shelter, I could see the fire pit just smoking and the bike there. Thought to myself this is getting kind of weird but I didn't care I needed to go take care of business. I entered the shelter and pushed through the restroom door. Restroom lights are sensor motion activated, so when I opened the door, saw the lights on I figured that guy was inside. I walked in and around the corner and was surprised when the guy was just standing in front of the mirror staring and humming to himself; but I didn't care I had to take care of business. After coming out of the stall, I said hello to the guy, he didn't say anything back, washed my hands and jetted out of there.

I'm guessing around 3am by this time, I was woken up by sounds of a man screaming and laughing coming from the direction of the shelter restroom. I assumed it's probably that weirdo but I felt uneasy about the whole thing and couldn't/didn't really want to go back to sleep. I spent the rest of the night lightly sleeping, waking up by noises around my tent and occasional screaming and laughing in the distant. Although I did bring my hand gun with me (I do have a CCW permit) it still felt "off".

Finally day light came, I packed up and just left. On my way out to the truck which is parked in the lot next to the shelter, the same guy was still there, now just standing in front of the shelter doors. By now I'm certain this person is either homeless and spent the night there, or just not all there. Still, it creeped me out a good bit. I had made a deposit for a gate card key and let my self out of the park before the office was even open. Got home, took a hot shower and crashed. Woke up later that afternoon and drove back to the park to return the gate key. I reported this experience to the park office employees and they told me this wasn't the first either. Other people have experienced this same person "sleeping" at the shelter. They told me to just call 911 "next time."

I tell myself I do not fear critters or animals if I'm certain of what it is that's making those noises but still have the hibbie jibbies in the dark. I also tell myself I'm more fearful of 2 legged creatures than 4 legged. It didn't help that I had to worry about some weirdo/homeless person in the area too. This wasn't a very pleasant experience imo. How can I over come such hibbie jibbies ? What would you have done in this situation ? Should I keep pushing for more solo overnighter ? Somewhere farther out to reduce chances of people ? I know I won't really have this "person" issue in the bdubs. Thanks in advance.

Yes, you won't have this problem in the BW or farther out in the backcountry. I'd give that a try; you'll find it much more relaxing.

My experiences doing solo anything have been very enjoyable once I got away from anywhere that was easily accessible. It's way too much work for the oddballs to get into the back country, IMO.

The hibbie jibbies are a good thing. You for the most part did what I would have done...
I would like to say I would have tried and overnight phone number for "professional" help but I probably would not have.
Things that give you the hibbie jibbies give them to you for a reason...

Please be sure to post an accurate description of yourself, your gear (e.g., tent, canoe. packs), and a detailed description of your route before you go out. That way, I can find where you are camping, and take residence near the pit latrine. :-o

>_<

I feel much less at ease in a state park than in the 'wilderness'. After MANY solos, my worst experience is meeting those that have no portage etiquette, or when I have to camp near an entry point for an early exit and there are some who don't know when to tone down at night.

I echo other's sentiments. Over the past couple years I have added camping in public parks and have found I am always more alert to the animals around me in such places. The wild animals are rational, humans are not.

quote HikingStick: "Please be sure to post an accurate description of yourself, your gear (e.g., tent, canoe. packs), and a detailed description of your route before you go out. That way, I can find where you are camping, and take residence near the pit latrine. :-o


>_<"

LOLOLOL!

Don't give up yet, try a shorter trip in the BW, if your not comfortable there you can always bail out and make a shorter trip.

Weirdos aside, while on solo trips it takes me a couple of nights to relax.

My subconscious brain needs time to sort out the night sounds. I sleep well after a couple of nights, but the first couple are a little restless.

a bathroom weirdo.....the bears aint lookin so bad now are they...

I took my first solo last year to Saganagons, I was not weirded out at all but if I would take a solo trip to my local state park here in Nebraska I would have probably been more weirded out, because of other people. I did the the solo for the wilderness experience not camping by myself next to other people. If you really want to try a solo trial ask a local farmer or land owner to camp a night on private property. That would be a more accurate similarity for the wilderness. I'm sure you will have a better experience.

First thing, not everyone can adjust to solo camping experiences. No big deal it's just not for you, several friends of mine, very capable trippers, never went back to solo tripping after being creeped out.

The person hanging out may have been the source and not a likely encounter on a solo paddling trip. Whatever it is, you chose to proceed as you desire, no explanations needed.

I hope you have better experiences in the future.

butthead

I would have been nervous given your situation. Not sure I would have slept that well.
On the other hand when I solo---or I guess on all my trips---I am asleep within 60 seconds of hitting the tent. I simply do not worry since there really is nothing to worry about provided you have stashed your food correctly. I don't normally even hear the noises and if I do I just write them off and go back to asleep.
If you have spent a lot of time camping my hunch is you will be much more relaxed at a campsite in the BW or Q than you will ever be in a site like you just described.
Again, there is nothing to worry about in the woods but there are some things in a road accessible park that would cause many of us to lose sleep over.
Go for it.

Gotcha covered, no bicycles allowed in the BWCA. :-)

Yes, keep giving it a try. State parks are not a true camping experience. An weirdos are harder to come by in the boundary waters.

Bikes

What would you have done in this situation? I'm not sure, maybe confronted him a little more, contacted park ranger, or maybe called the police. Depends on the gut feeling.


Should I keep pushing for more solo overnighter? For sure, in fact maybe go to a lake like Kawishiwi for a one nighter and see how you like that. Shouldn't be any weird people there. Plus you are still next to your vehicle. I have some other lakes if this idea interests you.


Somewhere farther out to reduce chances of people? That depends on how comfortable you are in the BWCA.

How can I over come such hibbie jibbies? Maybe have a drink before going to bed. I can sleep through most things after a drink or two. Also, the more you do it the more comfortable you will get especially after some trips where everything goes right instead of wrong.

Thank you all for the encouragements and positive feedbacks. I will definitely try to do more solo trips farther out in the backcountry. Will update you guys ASAP ! Thanks again.

The only weirdo I've had in my solo camps was either a deer or a moose. Late, late in the night on the first night of my first solo something with hooves walked right past my tent. It was so close that its legs got caught in the rain fly cord which pulled the entire tent to one side and then shot it back like a rubber band. It ran off in the woods snorting, I did NOT go back to sleep.

JD

Sounds like you'd be better off in a truck stop. :) That's where I am tonight. Don't give up the solo thing to fast. Keeping busy is a good thing on a solo. And bed time I'm usually to tired to care about anything. But that would have not been good. I'd have been like you and would have had a tough night.

I did one solo - 5 nights in the Q. Might do more if no one wants to go with. First - and only - time in a solo canoe. Great trip.

I never worried or got concerned by noises or anything. We all have a best if used by date and when it comes, its there.

Go for it! I only have one bwca solo under my belt and loved it. I have my 2nd one planned for August. I will say that I feel much more comfortable there solo than I would at a state park.

I just returned from my first solo to the BWCA after 25 years of tandem tripping. I too was worried about the heebie jeebies. The night noises and spooks of the night were not even a factor. At all. Slept like a baby. And guess what....no bike weirdos either. You'll have a blast in the wilderness while solo. If your worried then start with a shorter trip.

quote cowdoc: "a bathroom weirdo.....the bears aint lookin so bad now are they..."

LMAO! Good one cowdoc.

You might have a better experience if you go deeper into the woods, so to speak. As bhouse46 mentioned; "The wild animals are rational, humans are not."

I think most first time solo travelers are somewhat uneasy during the first few nights or the first few trips. After awhile though, you eventually become accustomed to the "night noises" and the hebbie-jeebies soon pass, at least for most. If not, solo tripping might not be for you. Nevertheless, give it a few more tries before deciding.

Hans Solo