I've been doing groups trips for almost 10 years and have come to love the time in the BWCA. Trip date set and the group has vanished - What started as 6 is now down to one. I really do not want to give up the week, but have never done a solo and not sure what to expect. I am in good shape and can handle my self in the wilderness, but not sure I can handle a solo trip. Any advice to make a first timers decision and trip easier would be appreciated. -Thanks

That's the way I got started. . .and so did many others. I'd only done 1 BW trip and still couldn't paddle a solo canoe in a straight line half the time. Nonetheless I headed out on a week-long solo. I survived. I loved it! I'll bet you will too.

Although I didn't have much BW or canoeing experience, I had done plenty of hunting, fishing, hiking and camping alone, including a couple of short - overnight/long weekend - backpacking trips, and I was comfortable being alone. It was still a learning experience, but I've done many since then.

You're just going to be doing the same thing you usually do only there won't be a bunch of people with you. Some soloists prefer to move every day, some like to basecamp, some a little of both. You'll be free to do whatever you want.

General considerations:

You'll have to carry everything yourself (no sharing of community gear) and do all the camp chores yourself. I usually keep things lighter and simpler. I also usually figure to travel a little less each day than when tandem and maybe add an extra "weather day".

If you scroll back through the threads in this forum, you'll find plenty of varied experience to help you prepare. Just ask whatever questions you come up with and we'll answer.

I took my first solo last year and am hooked. In fact I just got back from my most recent one! I get a lot of flack about going out on my own as a female but I don't let that stop me.

While I love the company of tripping partners there is something incredibly feeing about doing solo trips. It becomes all about me and it is very relaxing to operate on that level. I read, I fish, I day trip, and I nap which are all things I don't get enough of in my real world life.

In my opinion the only downside to solo trips is that there is no one to share the load of the work with so setting up camp and other chores take up more time as there is only one person doing it. I also sometimes wish there was someone to share with when you see something amazing.

This is exactly how I got started solo-ing as well. It's hard to coordinate schedules and vacation times with a larger group or even one partner!

Anyway, I usually bring either my action cam or sony waterproof camera and my fishing gear -- these are my "hobbies" that I can indulge when I'm on my own schedule out there. I love to journal so I have a small notebook to capture the details for that eventual trip report that I'll write (note to self on last point :).

Picking a route that you will enjoy in terms of lakes to visit, portages to cover and sites to visit gives the trip the purpose and motivation I need to keep going. Keeping my pack/gear light has also made the experience more enjoyable but that's a personal choice.

Enjoy your trip -- let us know where you are heading -- you may see one of us out there :)

Some good stuff here. This topic is often discussed on the solo tripping forum, see special groups below. Most of your questions will get answers.

And ditto the others, my tripping partners went elsewhere. Once I got over the really being alone it became something I now seek.
The time thing is significant. The time you would have had help from others, you do it alone so some things take longer. Time filled chatting and just sitting together will need an alternative plan. I personally pick an area and scout it out using this forums resources then enter when my permit allows. The rest of the trip is controlled folly and the time spent with others is spent planning what I might do next and then doing it. I seem to tweak my gear adjusting this and that and by the time I come out I have it pretty much working the way I want.

And as they say at Nike...just do it. You will be glad you did.

I finally gave up trying to get a group together. So I just decided that this year would be my first solo. Maybe our paths will cross.

I enter 8/8 at LIS 14 and will be in Shell, Oyster, Gebe, Finger, Hustler, maybe spend a night in Emerald, maybe a night in Pekan...My actual route is just now starting to come into focus. My big question right now is whether the Hustler River can be paddled or will it be just a muddy slough. That will determine if I go further north and come through Slim or not.

I, too, will be bringing a few cameras to shoot photos and vids. Also, this year I am going to try to start a fire with a bow drill.
I am going to try and learn the Canadian stroke.
I am going to play with my Prism and see what it does as far as tipping and work on recovery from swamping(hopefully, the weather will cooperate on that one).

I plan to move everyday at sunrise and camp early. Then will do the other things. I want to keep myself overly busy so I will fall asleep each night exhausted.

What type of canoe will you have? My first solo was in a grumman 2-man boat where I paddled from the bow seat backwards. This will work but if you can get a solo canoe it will be a little easier.

Like Boonie, I try to simplify things and weight. A crazy creek canoe seat doubles as my chair, I don't bring a fry pan and grill fish in the coals instead of frying. Oatmeal for breakfast and lots of freezedried stuff for dinner. I will however, bring salami and cheese for lunch on crackers.

A camera, fishing, and reading/journaling are my things to do. Besides just napping or exploring at my whim. Like Luft says, it's pretty darn cool to be free to do as you please.

Good advice so far. My suggest is you explore each lake to it fullest. There's often things to see or things we overlook when we just go from portage to campsite without exploring the back bays.

Finally going light and keeping things simple are the best two rules to follow.

Lots of good advice so far. What your reservations are about going solo?

I thought I would do a solo and get it out my system. Well that did not happen. Solo number 4 is in August. If my brother cancels on me in Sept. Solo number five will happen. It's so rewarding to go solo. I'm hooked. I like all aspects of solo tripping. To anyone who has ever considered solo tripping, I would tell them to try it at least once. It can get lonely. To solve that, I talk to people on portages. more so then when I with a group. Go as light as you can but still bring items that make you happy. My happy items are my camera, Kindle, and hammock.

quote Bucksnort: "...Any advice to make a first timers decision and trip easier would be appreciated. -Thanks"

Fish a lot. Bring a good stove for fried fish...a grill for baked fish...a good saw and small ax for fires. A few drinks helps...you'll have fun...

Great advice above. Definitely check out the Solo Tripping forum and read some of the solo trip reports. I did my first solo last fall and loved it. Solo #2 is in a month. I talked about doing a solo for a couple of years and finally my wife got tired of hearing me talk about it and she said " just do it". I think she thought it would get it out of my system because she was very surprised when I got back that I loved it so much.

I did it. You can definitely do it. Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!

Going in 8/10 at LIS and not sure of the route yet, but maybe we will cross paths. Initially was going to get to Emerald and base camp with the group, but might adjust now that it's just me. Canoe - not sure - going through an outfitter and was suggested a canyak (sp?).

More than a few of us are grateful that at some point in our past, our beloved paddling partners abandoned us, so we tried solo. As you can see, it can get really addictive.

Everyone has their own preference on boats, but I'd suggest skipping the canyak in favor of a true solo canoe. I liked the bell magic, others like wildernesses, prisms, or others. My suggestion would be not to base camp solo. Keep moving around and explore, or maybe plan one layover day.

Watch the weather and plan a little flexibility in case of wind. Anyone can get wind bound, but it's a little easier to happen if you are solo. Paddling very early in the morning can help avoid this.

Even with a lot of outdoor experience, you may find on the first night that the woods are a lot noisier than you remember when with a group. These sounds are one of the great aspects of the wilderness that are often missed when we are with paddling partners. Now I love going to sleep to those sounds.

Solo number 1 is planned for august for me! (:

quote Bucksnort: "Going in 8/10 at LIS and not sure of the route yet, but maybe we will cross paths. Initially was going to get to Emerald and base camp with the group, but might adjust now that it's just me. Canoe - not sure - going through an outfitter and was suggested a canyak (sp?). "

Well, my route is there for you to see. I want to stay south of lac la Croix, so that's why I am thinking of heading south on the Hustler River. BUT, I have a feeling I won't be able to do that, so maybe I'll go in and out instead of doing a loop. Whatever conditions dictate.

That is one of the big advantages of the solo...you do not have to answer to any other paddler and can change your route as you see fit.

quote jcavenagh:
Well, my route is there for you to see. I want to stay south of lac la Croix, so that's why I am thinking of heading south on the Hustler River. BUT, I have a feeling I won't be able to do that, so maybe I'll go in and out instead of doing a loop. Whatever conditions dictate.

I'll check back with you as I get closer to a decision - still might have a small group, but it is looking bleak. Also, most of my gear is set for groups (mainly cooking) so I need to make sure I have what I need for a Solo. - This site has been extremely helpful in the process.

OK.
BTW--I just looked up canyak and they seem pretty short and shallow. Maybe I'm not looking at the right thing??
Anyway, for lakes, I think a solo canoe would give better performance.

quote jcavenagh: "OK.
BTW--I just looked up canyak and they seem pretty short and shallow. Maybe I'm not looking at the right thing??
Anyway, for lakes, I think a solo canoe would give better performance."

I guess spelling matters :)


Wenonah Canak

decked Prism so not small

Canak...Oh, boy! Nice! That really does look like it has the best of both boats!

14 days...Wow, where has the summer gone?!?
bucks- I really am thinking of staying in the southern part of the area. If I can't do the Hustler River, I am leaning strongly to doing an out and back instead of a loop. That would mean, basically, Shell to Otter to Gebe and then back out the same way. My thinking is to avoid Loon and Little Loon. Possibly routing thru Heritage on the way back out for a little change up.

Again, I am going to talk to the ranger before I enter and see if there is any info on water levels in Hustler River.

I could leave a note for you about my decision when I enter at LIS. Would that be something you are interested in?

Soloing intensifies everything. Good, bad and hard to tell. Never been bored soloing either. The freedom to do what you want gets addicting.

My next solo is in 3 weeks. Yesterday I paddled 22 miles half of it upstream to see if I was ready for my trip. I am and Im not sore today! I am never board soloing and I usually stay 2 nights at each site. I read, explore the campsite, day trip, and take photo's. I love solo tripping. This will be my 4th solo. Next summer I am giving up my group trip because I only have time for 1 trip. Im taking my solo as my one trip.

bucks - Look for an IL Kia with a NCHS Band sticker on back window.
I'll leave a note tucked in by the rear door above the license plate area.

Hey all! Thanks for the thread, jcavenagh. Best of luck with the solo. I look forward to hearing the outcome.

My canoeing buddy bailed on me also. Still planning a trip for end of August. Her plan was to go in at Moose with a tow. Might do that, but I'm also looking around at other reports to see if I want to change it up any.

quote sueb2b: "Hey all! Thanks for the thread, jcavenagh. Best of luck with the solo. I look forward to hearing the outcome.


My canoeing buddy bailed on me also. Still planning a trip for end of August. Her plan was to go in at Moose with a tow. Might do that, but I'm also looking around at other reports to see if I want to change it up any."

I would pick a different entry. Moose to me is kind of a boring area. So many nicer areas without motorized traffic to explore.

Well, if there is a fire ban, I have a Plan B in place. I will go up to the west edge of Wabakimi and enter at Smye go thru Wilkie, Flindt, and then do a loop, Gault, Termite, Stump, and back out thru Flindt, Wilkie and Smye.

I am going to Plan B. Wabakimi.

quote SevenofNine: "

quote sueb2b: "I would pick a different entry. Moose to me is kind of a boring area. So many nicer areas without motorized traffic to explore."

I appreciate Any input.

I wasn't big on the traffic idea with Moose. I think the idea of going in on Moose was to get a tow to Birch and start up on Birch. I'm not wedded to the idea, but I think I need to decide soon.

Hi, Sue! How are you?
My idea for a first solo is to find a route with mostly small water.
I had planned on entering at Little Indian Sioux, EP14, and doing a route thru Shell, Hustler, et al.

The Shell-Hustler area has small lakes and the Sioux Hustler Trail. That trail offers a safety bail out route in the event of some disaster. Again, for a first time solo, that might be of interest.

But on my first solo, I want to do some bush craft type stuff, so I have moved my trip north. By changing my trip, I lose that bail out option. My wife is not too happy about that, but I showed her where there is a fish camp with a radio on my Wabakimi route AND I am carrying a SPOT tracker. She still reviewed the life insurance this morning! :)

P.S. I provided Ontario Police and Wabakimi Park Mgmt office contact info to my SPOT lifeline people so they have the info at hand...just in case.

Hey JCav....I hope you have a great trip.

I'll look into the route you mentioned. Personally, I'd prefer smaller water, also. Too close to leaving to consider Quetico (thought about it).

I'm thinking of getting a Spot or Inreach, if only to give my mother peace of mind.

The 'S' Chain, in the Q, is a nice route with several small lakes right in a row. Maybe next time you can look at that route. So many lakes...so little time....
There are some routes on the east side of BW with a lot of small water, but I have never been over that way.
Have a great time...and stay safe out there!