Well I'm a week removed from my second solo and it was definitely a success. I entered at Kawishiwi Lake, went to Malberg for 2 nights, and then returned to Kawishiwi for my last night.

I had 20lbs less gear than my first solo and got it all in 1 pack and the canoe I used was 10lbs lighter than last time.

I love the Northstar Northwind Solo canoe. Went straight as an arrow even w/ me paddling and it turned nicely in the twisty river. Stable as could be even w/ a 90lb lab along. My first solo people told me not to use the SR Q16 like I did but I still liked it..... because I didn't know what I was missing until I used a true solo. True solo canoes for me from now on.

I wasn't planning on it but I ended up single portaging. It was so easy to portage that little canoe. Even with a 45lb pack on it was much easier portaging than it is to portage our SR Q 18.5 without a pack on.

Just like my 1st solo I didn't fish hardly at all. Only on my layover day. I don't get it? If I'm going to do a fishing solo I think I'm going to have to go a shorter distances and maybe basecamp.

I am so much more relaxed on a solo trip. I can't wait for #3.



If you want to see more pics they are in my photo gallery My favorite pics are the ones I took with my phone but they ended up upside down and sideways in the gallery

"I am so much more relaxed on a solo trip. I can't wait for #3"

The second one is a lot easier just because you've done one and know you can. There's a lot less stress and anxiety too, so it's a lot more relaxing. And all the changes - lightening the load, simplifying things, easier paddling a true solo. And I'm sure it's a very relaxing break from dealing with all those "little monsters" :).

The third one will be even better.

I enjoyed the pictures. The first one is funny to me, but not for the reason you think. It's not the dog, it's the place it was taken. I've got a picture of that rock and almost every other person who trips through there seems to take the same one. Comparing your pictures to mine, you had a lot more water in the river and less mud, but the portage out the NW of Malberg, I had to wade through ankle to calf deep water, while you had it dry! How does that work?

Steve and I did have good water last year on the river though.

ducks, you learned more on your first trip than I did in several, but it does continue to evolve.

so can you get back this year or will you have to wait?

Glad you had a good trip. Paddling a tandem solo is doable but you really notice the difference when you paddle a true solo. When I first looked at the picture of your dog standing in the front of your canoe it looked like a bearcub, man he's one massive critter. Hope you can sneak in another solo this year, they sure get addictive. FRED

quote ducks: "...Just like my 1st solo I didn't fish hardly at all. Only on my layover day. I don't get it? If I'm going to do a fishing solo I think I'm going to have to go a shorter distances and maybe basecamp...."

Same here on my first couple of solo trips years and years ago. I found many times I was too tired to fish when I finally reached a campsite. Many times, I was even too tired to eat. Instead of fishing, I'd gather wood and relax with a nice fire in the evenings. Since then, my solo trips have evolved into 10-17 day trips with longish travel days, but then staying at a location for 2 or 3 nights before moving again. Gives me a chance to enjoy fishing and the area scenery a lot more. I haven't been able to get down to single portaging yet (probably never will) because I like to bring some fresh food, drinks, and a few luxury items along with my fishing gear.

And you're spot on about a solo canoe. Not only easier to paddle than soloing in a tandem, but a joy to carry on the portages as well.

boonie... I've seen so many pics of that rock I was ready for it :)

FOG51..... Haha... on my first solo one campsite was on a bend in the river and a couple came around the corner and were so disappointed when they realized Echo was a dog at a campsite and they hadn't just seen their first bwca bear.

PineKnot... I really hope I can fit in a longer trip sometime so I can do a couple nights at each campsite to give me some down time to fish.

bhouse46... I think the chances for a fall trip are now at slim to none and slim died :(. I've done an extended weekend trip at the end of Sept/ beg Oct. the last 4 years and am very bummed it's not going to work out this year. I am really hoping I can get to the Wing Night campout for part of the day on Sat. and visit with old and new friends but even that's going to be tough to fit in and it's only 30 min. from home.

ducks-

I figured you'd probably get tied up at the end of Sept/start of Oct and be unable to [attempt] to meet up. Unless Steve makes it up to join me for a few days, I may have to do my solo all alone!

It's interesting to compare the pictures of that rock before the fire with mine and then with others a couple of years after mine.

ducks , glad you got up in there and had a good time. Neat area.

I think you are hooked for life.
You are a lucky man to have discovered something that brings you joy.

Glad you had a great trip, now you just need to up the days.

Thanks guys. I made quite a few changes from Solo 1 to Solo 2 and I think the next change needs to be adding days. That one is much easier said than done though.

Well boonie..... I think my chances of making it just got their final squash :(. Older daughter's soccer team still doesn't have a coach (younger daughter's team and all the other teams in our club have had a week of practice) so it looks like I'm going to be the one that steps up to the plate again. I was really looking forward to getting to sit in a lawn chair and watching both girls play their sports this fall. Especially since I'll be coaching their basketball from Oct. to March and Softball from April until July.

I didn't really like tripping in Aug. (especially that early in Aug.) but I'm glad I did it because a Solo in Aug. is much better than no solo at all. Going in Aug. did help cut clothing and sleeping bag weight.

I scratched you off as soon as you mentioned it, ducks . . .because I know how those things go ;).

I know you'll really enjoy it when you can do a longer one - things won't feel so rushed, so much like their almost over after the first day. You can relax a little more and get into the rhythm of it. I hope that day comes sooner rather than later for you, but life can be busy when your kids are young, but old enough to participate in a lot of activities.