Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: First Solo
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Boppasteveg |
I decided back in December to treat myself (in my 60th trip 'round the sun this year) to my first ever solo trip. I've never paddled a solo canoe and will be renting a Royalex Wilderness. Go ahead with any tips that might help me. I do have many years experience paddling tandem. Also...if any of you have a solo boat you'd allow me to try out to, uhm..."get my feet wet" and are in the Twin Cities area I would very much appreciate it! |
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straighthairedcurly |
I bring a double bladed and a single bladed paddle. I tend to prefer the double bladed. Maybe because I was a kayaker for years. But I will offer you the chance to hop in a solo. I paddle on Lake Owasso (Roseville/Shoreview area) so if that is convenient, send me a message. I have a Mad River Slipper. It has a similar weight to the one you will be using so you can see what it feels like. |
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TomT |
I don't bring an axe but always a good saw for blowdown or collecting firewood. Bring extra maps, glasses. I wear glasses and the last thing I would ever want is to ruin or lose them and not be able to read a map when solo. :) For sure keep a journal/log. Know it could take a couple days to relax and enjoy the trip. It took me about 4 solos before I really could relax both day and night. My first 2 were in my 20's then 2 in my 40's were better. But in my 50's is when I felt like I got it right. Let us know how it goes. |
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boonie |
You should pick up solo paddling pretty quickly with your experience. I like to have a spare paddle and take both a double blade and single blade for switching things up. Be careful getting in and out - step on the center line, hands on gunwales, weight low. There's nobody to hold the canoe while you get in/out, load/unload. Don't forget some painters - I never found an outfitter who provided them with a rental. You'll need to watch the canoe trim and adjust slightly for different wind. You'll have to attach the yoke at each portage since it goes pretty much right in front of the seat where the balance point is. I don't know how long your trip is, but I think longer is better. I've experienced and noticed among others, a lot of evolution in solo trips. I think there's more variation in trips - styles, activities, etc. - than there is in group trips. Just because you can do whatever you want, whatever way you want, whenever you want. You'll find lots of discussion of things on the solo forum by scrolling through or searching for specific topics. Have a good trip. |
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sns |
Like the others, I think less is more when soloing. Trim can be an issue, so splitting the load front & back is helpful. If you're in one pack & trying to single portage, consider a dry bag that you fill with water... Pack goes behind, clip the full dry bag to the front thwart to provide balance and adjust as necessary. If the boat has a sliding tractor seat that will help but probably not enough to deal with a heavy pack behind with nothing in front. |
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MidwestFirecraft |
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Boppasteveg |
This isn't going to be a "canoe trip" in the way that you may envision. That is, staying at multiple campsites on different lakes. I'm going to base-camp alone on Red Rock for a week. If necessary I will move into Alpine but the hope is to stay on RR. I'm getting a tow up to Red Rock Bay and then of course it is just one short skip and a jump into RR. Please don't think less of me for doing it this way. I have my reasons. |
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boonie |
Solo canoes are more stable with a load. You may want to take some "ballast" on day trips and be mindful of trim if windy. I hope you get the opportunity to test paddle before your trip. Indulge yourself. Go to bed/get up when you want. Take a good book. Enjoy your naps. :) |
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Jaywalker |
Boppasteveg: "Please don't think less of me for doing it this way. I have my reasons." No worries, we each have our own way. Good for you for trying solo. I agree with nearly everything said above. I'll just add that while a good number of solo paddlers do like a double blade, I do not. I have one and tried it, and just prefer a canoe paddle. It's a matter of personal preference you figure out from trying. I do bring a spare paddle. Aside from the possibility of breaking, there are multiple ways a paddle can get away from you, leaving you without power. Last week I had my straight blade leaning up against a tree near the shore - seemed very stationary - and a puff of wind knocked it over. It slid down the rock face and right into the water. Fortunately I was right there and used a fishing rod to pull it back, otherwise it might have been on its way to Canada. Leads me to my second point - bring a rope as a painter line and ALWAYS tie your canoe to something - both at portages and at night. Its just amazingly easy for them to get away leaving you getting ready to swim or standing on shore hoping someone comes by (which could be days depending on where you are). Lastly, if you do get a chance to get out an paddle a solo before your trip (or when up there fishing) remember that an empty boat is less stable than a loaded one. Good luck and have fun. |
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Ausable |
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WHendrix |
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LoopyLoons |
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mjmkjun |
eat out the pot you cooked in. I get stir-crazy if I basecamp. How many ways to rig a tarp? ha! Good suggestion on a book. everything relies on you alone. be sure-footed and calculated in movement. common sense applied/take no risks are golden for a measure of safety. I paddle a UL Prism (34 lbs) w/dbl blade and only do solos. If a route were to have short portages and big lake(s) I'd prefer a Royalex Wilderness. Xtra weight is a plus paddling out to fish in a canoe empty of gear. I bounced around real good in that Prism when the wind kicked up. One can always add stones from the shoreline for added weight. |
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Boppasteveg |
WHendrix: "OK, I'll chip in here ad offer a chance for you to paddle a solo canoe before you go. I live in River Falls and would be happy to meet you someplace in the Metro area for a test run. I paddle a Northwind Solo. Let me know if you would like to try it out." That would work - even in RF where my sister lives! I'll be in contact! Thank you! |
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dschult2 |
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jdddl8 |
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