BWCA Finally did my first solo Boundary Waters Group Forum: Solo Tripping
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      Finally did my first solo     

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IceColdGold
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12/29/2016 05:47PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Well, I finally did my first solo back in October. I did a short three day solo up Moose to Birch and day tripped over to Knife. There is some really beautiful clear water in this area. I spent the weekend camped on a bay with a family of otters.

Thanks to many of you for the inspiration to start soloing. I did a lot of solo paddling last summer after Ben delivered my Vagabond, but this was my first overnight solo. This will not be my last solo.

I have only shared with a few people that I did this trip. It was different. I understand the freedom of not having to worry about anyone else. I was very comfortable on the trip with very little anxiety about being solo. I have very little if any fear of the dark anymore, so I was fine with the early sunset. The only slightly freaky moment was when the otter family first appeared about 60 yards out in the bay. I could see their heads in the twilight, but did not know what they were. They were blowing water out of their noses and chuckling at each other. I thought "those are either aliens, or otters".

I paddled my Vagabond with one large pack, about 40lbs, a small backpack, and my 5 gallon bucket. No special gear, just grabbed what I usually bring on group trips cutting down some things for a solo.

As some of you know, I had a Bell Yellowstone solo in Kevlite that I tried to sell all summer without success. I finally called up Piragis and they offered my a very generous trade in price, so I used it as an excuse to head up for my first solo trip. So I loaded up both the Vagabond and the Yellowstone and headed north. I ended up trading the Yellowstone for a new Prism with a bench seat like the seat in the Wilderness. I thought hard about the Wilderness, but the Prism was cheaper, so I went with the longer boat, because I have the Vagabond. The Prism was not registered, so I left it at Piragis and paddled the Vagabond. I did take the Prism out a few time here at home and it will be my tripping solo going forward.

It's very shiny, kind of like my first solo ;-)
 
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12/29/2016 06:36PM  
Thanks, good to hear you finally got the opportunity. It sounds like things went well and you enjoyed it. Many people don't understand soloing, but maybe that's because they haven't experienced the difference. Did you see many people there at that time?
 
IceColdGold
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12/30/2016 08:46AM  
Hi boonie, I only saw a few others. There was an outward bound group that had two leaders and 5 students. The students were paddling and portaging this huge wooden 5 man canoe. They had been in the bush for 50 days headed toward the Grand Portage.

When I was up toward knife, I was wondering how busy that area is. It's a nice area, but I suspect that it is pretty busy.
 
12/30/2016 12:59PM  
I have not been to Knife, but suspect it's usually a busy place. Late in the season there are fewer people tripping, but weekends near entry points can be busy. Once beyond that and during the week, trippers can be few and far between in my experience. Long nights are good for sleeping a lot ;).
 
Whatsit
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12/31/2016 10:10AM  
I'm doing my first one in May. I can't wait. Glad to hear about yours
Mike
 
12/31/2016 04:58PM  
Most excellent. The first is an accomplishment and tends to open the door for many more solo opportunities. Although mine was memorable for rain, wind, potential hypothermia (or I was just really, really cold), marginal fishing and a library book that was deplorable, the bug bit and many more solos have ensured. And, as special as the solo/solo is, I experienced a tandem/solo event last summer with my good friend Sunnybear in the Quetico and look forward to a repeat in 2017.
Good for you ICG, glad your trek was such a success.

Mac
 
01/01/2017 10:39AM  
Glad you had a good trip. When I did my first solo trip it was more of a do it to see if I can and to say that I did it type of thing. I absolutely loved it and this coming year I'm planning on my 4th solo and hope to buy a solo canoe at some point.

It's very addicting :)
 
01/05/2017 03:05PM  
Good job getting that prism. I want to paddle so bad in mine. So I may do some solos just to get out there. I'm not committing to anything much due to my neck.
 
IceColdGold
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01/10/2017 01:51PM  
Hey Ben, sorry about your neck. I am having some back and neck issue also, although I think some paddling would help me loosen up some.
 
01/11/2017 03:32PM  
I have also found that paddling helps my lower back. When I asked the doctor about it, he postulated that paddling helped stretch it out.
 
mastertangler
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01/14/2017 03:19PM  
quote paddlinjoe: "I have also found that paddling helps my lower back. When I asked the doctor about it, he postulated that paddling helped stretch it out. "


Perhaps......what is also just as likely is the strengthening of your core abdominal muscles, the key to a healthy lower back.
 
GraniteCliffs
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01/15/2017 09:23PM  
Welcome to the club!
 
01/16/2017 06:16AM  
quote IceColdGold: "Hey Ben, sorry about your neck. I am having some back and neck issue also, although I think some paddling would help me loosen up some."




I have severe rumatory arthritis in my neck. I never knew until it flared up bad. My original doctor had me doing all the wrong things trying to loosen or whatever. I had to immobilize it when so flared up. I got better movement after a couple weeks of the brace vs months of physical therapy thanks to neurosurgeons advice. I hope to have it even more under control by spring. Seeing rumatolagist soon. I have to say that paddling has been the best thing for my back. My body is well used, it will be used up when I'm done with it... haha!
 
01/19/2017 07:14AM  
Congrats Tony and welcome to the shiny side. A day trip to Knife Lake is where I was first motivated to do longer solo trips....hope you didn't drink the water?

BeaV
 
IceColdGold
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01/19/2017 03:34PM  
Thanks Beav. I believe I did drink the water.
 
bwcasolo
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01/19/2017 04:13PM  
awesome, welcome to the prism family. i have paddled most solo canoes, and for me the prism stuck. i too have a bench seat versus the tractor. enjoy your solo day's ahead with your new prism.
 
IceColdGold
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01/20/2017 01:15PM  
I am very temped to check the local river and toss the Vagabond in for a paddle this weekend.
 
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