Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Solitude
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Unas10 |
So, what is the longest you have gone without human interaction? Was it a good experience for you? |
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carmike |
Other than that, if I get two hours, I'm good. :) |
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straighthairedcurly |
The longest I have gone on trip where we only saw my own group members but no other people or signs of civilization was about 14 days. |
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WonderMonkey |
nofish: "As a parent with two young kids a bit of solitude sounds AMAZING right now. Its been several years since I've had more than a few hours of solitude. Prior to that I think the longest I went was a couple days of solo camping. Personally I really enjoy solitude and silence. Even if I'm just home alone I have always preferred silence. Most people will turn on the radio or have the TV on in the background as they work around the house. I prefer it quiet. I think this is one reason why solitude may be difficult. It's like a muscle, you need to work it in order to have it function well. With you (and me) being a parent and having so many interactions around you, with that suddenly being going things may be difficult. Even if you are alone you have the neighborhood, cars going by, etc. Take all that away for a week and some can't handle it. I did a four day solo and I certainly noticed it. |
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TomT |
Minnesotian: " Same for me. I did an 11 night solo and didn’t speak to anyone for 9 days in Quetico. I had my dog with and conversed with her plenty though. :) Going solo is always a roller coaster of emotions. The first 3-4 days it always take time to get the rhythm. I think I enjoyed them more when I was younger. |
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riverrunner |
I don't need to talk to anybody but my tripping partner. But I like sharing the outdoor experience with others even it is only one other. |
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LindenTree |
minnmike: " Linden, I wish I could write like that. Thats exactly what I feel and meant." Glad you liked it, I'm guessing you are one of the few that could catch its meaning. It's funny, I hadn't thought about that poem in 20 years, and couldn't remember all of it, but as soon as I read your thread I thought, "years ago I wrote a poem about that very thing" I went to my book of poems searchd for an hour before I found it. Yes minmike, we often put on different faces when we are around different people, but our true face is the one we wear when we are alone. Our alone "true" thoughts, help make up that face. |
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Banksiana |
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LindenTree |
minnmike: " minmike, your story reminds me of a poem I wrote shortly after I moved out of my school bus in the late 80's and built my first log cabin. "we go through life matching the paces meeting all different people in all different places but we can't be ourselves unless we're alone as we run to our safe spot and put on our faces" The longest I have been alone without seeing another person is seven days, happened many a times in the deep dark winter of northern Mn. Probably one of those times was when I worte this poem. |
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Minnesotian |
Went 9 days in Quetico without any other human contact. It was glorious. Did some bushwacking in that trip too, and just knowing that I was completely on my own, with a very low chance of meeting anyone, was great. |
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missmolly |
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nofish |
A longer solo trip is for sure in my plans once the kids are a bit older and its easier for me to be gone for longer periods of time. |
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minnmike |
It was a great experience. I really got to know myself again, which sounds weird but it's true. It's a really hard experience for me to put into words but I will try. I find that in "the real world" I'm a different person to different people. Like to my kids, my wife, co-workers. Even different friends based on our common interests. I'm different things to different people, different responsibilities. When alone and in the woods I found I shed all that and got to just be me. I also liked that I didn't have to answer to, be responsible for anyone else having a good time. Hope they like the meal. Wondering if they want this or that. If they want to paddle or stay put. I could just do whatever I wanted. I could go on but you get the idea. I won't lie though a few occasions I wished I had someone to talk to but they were fleeting moments. This happened most often when I saw or experienced something I wished I could have shared with my wife and/or kids. I do trip with them too so I know they would appreciate certain things. That may be the hardest thing about soloing for me. But that being said, I loved it and I would and hopefully will do it again. Trying to work out a 3-4 week solo again this fall. I'm not sure I stayed on subject but thats what came out. |
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minnmike |
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boonie |
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30Smoke |
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deerfoot |
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gkimball |
By the end of that summer I was comfortable being on my own without feeling "lonely," but after raising a family and working for 40 years I had to rediscover it when I began doing solo BWCA trips. At age 68 it has come back quite well, but it took a few trips to become a really positive part of the experience. Now I like it and look forward to it, and I realize it provides a contrast to regular life that helps me value being with friends and loved ones even more. |