Click to View the Full Thread

Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: First time solo trip in fall
 
Author Message Text
EddyTurn
04/19/2024 10:35AM
  
I don't consider portaging solo any different from a group, except for landings (and same goes for negotiating beaver dams and deadfall). Shuffling packs and bringing a canoe on-shore is more complicated and requires more time/effort alone, especially if the landing is less than perfect or there's significant wind or current.
 
tfarmer553
04/18/2024 12:18PM
  
This is actually my first trip to the BWCA and first solo canoe/camping trip. I have a lot of experience canoeing/kayaking and camping but typically with a group or at least one other person. I have military experience, can read a map and use a compass, just need to refresh my skills a bit. I am excited about this 5 day adventure, just looking for some good tips, especially regarding portages. My route is Fall Lake to Mudro Lake via Basswood River and Horse Lake about 28 miles with the significant waterbodies on the Route: Fall, Newton, Basswood, Basswood River, Horse River, Horse, Tin Can Mike, Sandpit, Mudro. I plan on doing double portages but want to make sure I have plenty of time, any thoughts on how many miles per day I should be paddling? are there any specific camp sites I should avoid or try and stop at? Any and all information/tips are welcome.
 
boonie
04/18/2024 05:54PM
  
I took a look at the route adjusted for double portaging - it's ~34 miles. Not a whole lot of portages, about a dozen or so. Many of us use a 2 mph average for travel, so about 17 hours travel. Leaving 1 day as weather/wind/rest day, you're looking at 4.5 hours a day or 9 miles. That's typically the way I would plan it - 4 to 5 hours a day, 8 mile on average. You leave at 8AM, look for a campsite at 1PM. It's typically best to find one by mid-afternoon before they fill up, and wind/storms will pick up later in the day.

That's not really hard traveling but I don't know how fast you'll be, and neither do you. Start with the 2-hour average but mark yourself some checkpoints to evaluate. Paddling is usually the faster part of travel depending on wind. You have very little portaging for the first half of your trip until Basswood Falls. I'd try to get an early start and make some time.


It was a little counterintuitive to me, but a series of short portages is more tiring, and time-consuming than one long one because of all the extra finding the portage, landing, lifting/loading/unloading, etc. You may also encounter a couple of beaver dam pullovers or short bushwhacks.


Of course, some days may be a little longer, others a little shorter depending on camping options. Make hay while the sun shines. One nice thing about solos is just about any site will do - you don't need one with lots of tent sites, just one decent one. I've heard Horse is busy and sometimes fills up, so be aware and don't be picky.


I don't have any experience with that route other than entering at Mudro many years ago, but going N through Fourtown.


Do you have your maps yet? If not I'd suggest getting them now. When you get them you can calculate some distances & times and mark them. You can also make a plan with some options for days. In the meantime, you can look at the zoomable/scrollable maps at the Voyageur Maps website.


I've done a lot of solos; started out of necessity, and I like them. It's a totally different vibe without the distraction/interruption. You'll either love it or it just won't be for you.