Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: What kind of pack does everyone use?
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muddyfeet |
Ajoutdoors: "I forgot I had this picture. I was able to fit everything in one bag for my 5 night solo in May last year. THAT is some good packing! |
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boonie |
They do make ones more the size of what you are using. |
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Duckman |
In the canoe, bigger back in back, small bag and 30 pound dog in front. |
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Ajoutdoors |
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Nigal |
Nigal: "I use a cheap Chemun portage pack I found on Amazon for about $65. It’s been an awesome pack despite reported problems from other users. Been using it for about 10 years now with no problems. I paddle a Wenonah Prism and put the pack behind me and the extra weight in the back trims the canoe perfectly. " After my trip a couple weeks ago I’ve decided to replace my pack. Going to get a Granite Gear Quitico. The bottle/side pockets on the Chemun catch on the gunwhales every time I took it out of my Wenonah Prism. I’ll save it for the tandem trips. |
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QuietSolo |
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WonderMonkey |
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Banksiana |
WonderMonkey: "I have a NS NW 16 that paddles backwards solo. Packs go forward and a water filled dry bag all the way in the bow to add weight. I empty the water bag at a portage and fill it back up on the other side." Does that NW 16 paddle well backwards? With a higher bow and differential rocker and I think the hull is asymmetrical (eg designed to proceed bow first) I would think you'd do better by creating a seating position forward of the stern seat and taking advantage of the design dynamics of the hull. |
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ducks |
SourisMan: "Looks like I'm the oddball here. I solo in a SR Quetico 16, a tandem canoe I paddle "backwards" (sit in the bow seat facing the stern). I use a large Granite Gear pack that goes in front of me. The trim seems fine, although I imagine a solo canoe would be better. " Same here.... SR Q16 facing backwards.....It's the perfect size for my daddy/daughter trips with a duckling in the bow and it works ok as my solo now. I have a CCS Guide pack right in front of me. I take out the stern seat (now the bow solo) and my 90lb lab rides up there helping with the trim. Before I purchased the SR Q16 I would rent a Northstar Northwind Solo for my solo trips. 1 pack.... CCS Guide behind me and Echo up in the bow so I didn't need a 2nd pack for trim. With this set up I single portaged most portages. The SR works ok solo, but the Northwind Solo was better, but I'm not willing to spend the money to rent a solo when I have a canoe that works fine. Hopefully someday a Northwind Solo finds it's way into my budget. My Christmas purchase this year was a CCS Pioneer pack. I've refined my solo gear enough that it should all fit in the pioneer. In the SR Q16 In the Northwind Solo |
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bumabu |
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danbogey |
which fits all this minus the packboat |
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Solobob1 |
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Peter999 |
This will be my first solo so I'm still figuring. Planning on exploring South Kawishiwi River Lake Four and Gabbro Bald/Bald Eagle regions in mid-October. I'm not gonna skrimp on food and warm clothing so I'm cramming the GG Nimbus with sleeping bag, tent, clothes, utensils etc plus my food bag which is a 20L dry bag. All the stuff that tries to slosh around in the bilge goes in a #2 Duluth pack up front along with first aid kit, tackle box, tarp, day hammock and should be light enough to carry with the canoe. I have never been to this side of the BW but it seems like a lot of people like the scenery and the fishing. |
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LindenTree |
I use a day pack and a Battle Lake pack, and trim accordingly if I do, or don't have my dog with. I double Portage, dog carrys its food, folding bowl, tennis ball and thrower in her doggie vest. |
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tomo |
The only downsides, I suppose, are having to unload one additional pack at the portage, and the fact that for very short trips the barrel is 3/4 full and the duluth pack is well short of full. I could easily fit things into a daypack and one larger pack, but I do like the trim options and I like the barrel as defense against little critters (might have to get a bear vault one of these days). My Swift Osprey has a sliding seat but it's a little janky so I find it easier to adjust the packs than move the seat frequently. |
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anthonyp007 |
So... I developed a new system that I’ve tried and love it. I made a little harness for my homemade food pack (a 3 gallon pale with gamma seal lid) and I wear that in front of my body with a small hiking pack on my back. Now I can single portage comfortably and still see adequately in front of me since my food pack sits right around my stomach. Everything balances out nicely and I have one pack in the bow and one on the stern for easy trimming. Here’s a pic of my new system. Not for everyone, I know, but it works for me. Quick and easy. Tony |
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SinglePortage |
Oh yeah, single portage for sure. |
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QuietSolo |
Anyone use the bigger Sealline 115 or 120L? I think it would fit in front. Would be nice option in strong headwind, and would obviate need for waterproof liner. |
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Ajoutdoors |
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jillpine |
bumabu: "One CCS Pioneer pack, placed behind the seat, had no issues with trim but was probably a little rear heavy. Same, except shorter boat (on the right). On the left is a tandem using my granite gear packs. basic set-up for a nine day solo this past summer, not showing the small day pack and CCS thwart bag (that I've decided to sell). |
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Oldtown13 |
Ajoutdoors: "I forgot I had this picture. I was able to fit everything in one bag for my 5 night solo in May last year. Teach me! :-) |
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MacCamper |
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jcavenagh |
My food pack goes in the bow and a small day pack underneath my seat so I can get at it easily. |
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TomT |
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sedges |
I use three packs. A #2 Duluth Pack(small envelope-style) which carries my two bear vaults and tent and same miscellaneous gear. A canvas military duffel(moderate size) for sleeping bag and a stuff sack of clothes, tarp and a few more miscellaneous items. The duffel rests easily on top of the Duluth pack when portaging. It stays there, resting against the back of my neck and head, without having to have a hand on it. A Duluth Pack day pack with the stuff I use during the day of travel. I carry it with the canoe when portaging. My boat is a MR Independence and I have it set up with the seat and portage yoke both mounted to parallel rails. This allows a bunch of adjustment possibilities. I can push the seat way back and have all the gear in front of me. The duffel is narrow enough to go up in the bow, the #2 Duluth Pack lays flat and the day pack is handy in front of my feet. It puts me where the hull is narrowing toward the stern and gives me much easier steering control of the boat. |
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bwcasolo |
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Banksiana |
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muddyfeet |
I generally use a backpacking pack and single portage. In the boat, the backpacking pack goes just behind the seat. I also have a daypack that rides in the front of the canoe and holds fishing tackle, water bottles, rain jacket, and lunch. For portage, the daypack is just slung around the backpack. Sometimes I will take out my food bag and shove it to the front of the canoe if I need ballast, but it all usually stays in the main pack Right behind me. How do you do it? |
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boonie |
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luft |
My most often used solo ride is a Hornbeck Vlassic 10 so not a whole lot of room for excess gear. On short long weekend summer trips I can get away with a CCS Rucksak and small school sized backpack. If I’m out for 6-12 days I use a CCS Explorer and CCS Rucksack for my two bags. I have a CCS Pioneer pack as well that I use if I’m going for longer than 20 days so I can fit extra bear vaults in for the extra food. But I have a harder time fitting that into the Hornbeck. |
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Hoaf |
Typical trip is 10-14 days. Canoe: Magic Packs: CCS Explorers (2), Wanderer, Rucksack. Configuration and gear of course depends on season: 2 Explorers for early Spring, late Fall, 1 Explore and Wanderer or Rucksack other times. Trim canoe by sliding packs forward/backward as needed. Larger pack behind the seat. |
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Tomcat |
Center kneeling thwart in tandem canoe. Single portage. |
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bfurlow |
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SourisMan |
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NotSoFast |
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Blatz |
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OCDave |
I always hope to be able to squeeze the Rucksack inside the Pioneer pack and single portage but, I always end up double portaging. Not because I can't make the Rucksack fit but rather, by the time I reach the portage, I'm ready for a leisurely hike to balance my more rigorous paddle. As I am traveling solo, I don't have a time table to which I need to adhere so, leisurly wins out. |
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butthead |
butthead |
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TomT |
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cowdoc |
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HappyHuskies |
I can stay out between 10 days and 2 weeks with the 3.5 and the Kumo is big enough for a 5 day trip. I will also occasionally use a Katabatic Helios if I want something in between the Granite Gear and Kumo. If just an overnight paddle and I'm really trying to keep things light and compact I've been known to use a Mountain Laurel Designs Newt. All three packs ride low enough that I can easily single portage. |
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Blatz |
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Nigal |
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airmorse |
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TipsyPaddler |
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Duckman |
My go to main pack, despite it's mixed reviews, is the Cabelas BDUB pack. It's basically just a giant dry sack with straps, but it serves my needs and I have no complaints. If I have a first timer with me or someone who can only carry a lighter load, I usually bring one of my osprey backpacking packs. It means I carry the canoe every time, but I can adjust it to the person so it's more comfortable and it seems to make things more enjoyable for them. |
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PineKnot |
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straighthairedcurly |
QuietSolo: "I am a bit late to the party. I put GG 54L behind me in Northwind solo and 30L Sealline (food pack, including stove and fuel) in bow. I carry the food pack with canoe, and bigger pack in a separate trip. A Sealline 115L would be too big for my week long solos. I typically pack everything into an Earth-Pak waterproof backpack (55L). That holds all my food and gear for around the campsite. I carry a small rucksack for day time needs (lunch, water bottles, filter, camera, rain gear, suncreen, etc.). Earth-Pak |
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MikeinMpls |
A Battle Lake Grand Portage Pack. Considering I pack like Diana Ross, it works well. I would do well by listening to SGT Elias (Willem Dafoe) from Platoon: "You're humping too much stuff, troop. You don't need half this shit." Mike |
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sns |
That's it for a 7 day trip...single-portaging. Oh, and the 50 lb dog carries a 7 lb pack with her food. |
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3Ball |
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1JimD |
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