Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Going solo...really?
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eagle93 |
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billconner |
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TomT |
I'll never forget as I was on my last day I met a guy who was solo in a 12 foot canoe. We talked as we crossed paths on the portage. He was starting a 6 week adventure and would be taking the Mississippi River home to where he lived in Savanah IL. I was blown away and inspired by him. These days I really don't care what people say anymore, about going solo anyway. |
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nctry |
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SevenofNine |
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GraniteCliffs |
So this year I see my cardiologist for my annual check. I mention that I am taking a solo trip. His immediate response?: "God, am I envious. Have fun!" And he meant it. |
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JoeWilderness |
quote mooseplums: "I have a friend who is a Cardiologist, and when I told him he said "Really?, what if you had a heart attack?" He should also have told you that 50% of all heart attack victims die on the spot anyway. Guys like us can only dream of dying on an adventure, rather than some sterile hospital bed. I ain't staying home either mooseplums. Perhaps one day we will run into each other out there. |
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hobbydog |
quote JoeWilderness: "quote mooseplums: "I have a friend who is a Cardiologist, and when I told him he said "Really?, what if you had a heart attack?" Last week at work they carted a guy out on a gurney to the ER. Certainly not the way I want to go. |
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Sierra1 |
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sunnybear09 |
quote tkaser3210: "At 70, my first solo starts in 2 weeks - here's my philosophy: Truly a quote to die for! How was the trip, tk? Hope it was so good you have a new one planned for this spring! |
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HansSolo |
Much of my reply here has been "cut and pasted" from an early post where I asked; "Does anyone really understand what I do when I go the BWCAW". It also applies to the question; "Going solo....really? Several years ago, the question came to light when I was asked by one of my office co-workers what I was doing for my upcoming vacation. I just exclaimed, "I'm going on a canoe trip to Northeast Minnesota again". When asked who I was going with, I simply replied; "Just me!" Surprisingly, my upcoming solo canoe trip plans evoked all types of comments and questions. Although they knew I made these types of trips before, albeit with family or friends, my planned solo trip involved much more scrutiny by my co-workers. As I was driving home that day, I realized that they didn't fully understand what a canoe trip to the BWCAW, Quetico Provincial Park, or some other wilderness area was all about, or what was all involved for a successful canoe trip through "Canoe Country", especially a solo canoe trip. From what I could ascertain by their feedback, they assumed that my solo trip was nothing more than pulling my vehicle into a campsite, pitching some large "Wenzel" type tent, and sitting around a fire ring with a cooler of beer, eating brats, and having my butt parked on some campsite picnic table all week by myself. They assumed that my canoe was nothing more than a platform for fishing and/or short forays out across whatever lake I happened to be "car camped" on. The next day, I brought in several maps and pictures from previous trips to "educate" them that my upcoming trip was a little more involved than what they previously assumed. Their comments were now much more reserved than the day before. They now had a better understanding that my trip involved some ability, and it was far more physical than "lounging" around a campground. Now the comments were; "Sounds like a lot of work!", "What if something happens!", "You call that a vacation?", "Aren't you afraid of bears, wolves, "Big Foot", etc." In some ways, I was surprised by how ignorant my co-workers where about canoe camping, portaging, and the entire nature of a "Quetico-Superior" canoe trip. Due to the fact these were College educated professionals, I naturally assumed they knew more than they did about such things. Then again, I realized I was naive to assume that everyone knows about the BWCAW, Quetico, canoe-tripping, portaging, freeze dried food, Kevlar, backpacking stoves, lightweight tents, filtering water, and other related components involved with canoe-tripping. To this day, many people question my motivation, and probably my sanity, as to why I want to venture into the wilderness and traverse lakes, rivers and portages' by myself. I say why not? I don't think most people realize how "freeing" a solo trip is. Every decision is yours, nothing has to be debated or mutually agreed upon. I can paddle my a$$ off for 8 to 10 hours if I want, and there's no one that will complain about it. I can also wake up at the crack of dawn, with no one to slow me down while attempting to get an early start "hitting the trail", or I can sleep in if I choose to. Alternately, I can roll out of my tent, and decide it's a great day for hanging out at my campsite. I can spend the day reading, fishing, skinny dipping, or whatever, and I won't be disappointing or offending anyone. Solo tripping definitely has a different dynamic to it. It's more cerebral than a canoe trip with other individuals. It's an opportunity to learn something about yourself and your abilities. Unfortunately, solo tripping can also be misconstrued as a somewhat anti-social behavior as well. Nonetheless, I say, don't knock it until you've tried it! Hans Solo |
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DanCooke |
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TomT |
quote HansSolo: " Right on the money here. I think many uneducated to the outdoors people also think it's very weird for someone to want to go off all alone on vacation. It's like the thought would NEVER cross the mind of a normal person. This used to bother me in the past but the great thing about getting older is that we don't give a shit what other people think anymore. It's very freeing (almost like going solo) to not really give a shit and just do what we know makes us happy. I often feel like a square peg anyway so why not just roll with it? |
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boonie |
But I don't think most people are that way. They don't like being alone, being away from people. They do most things for a social activity, I think, not just to do it. I'll bet most people wouldn't go to a movie alone. So they just don't understand why you would do that - they have no frame of reference. It's just something they've never done, probably never even considered. I like the lack of distractions on a solo trip though, the change of pace, the opportunity for uninterrupted reflection. I find it all much more relaxing and refreshing - what a vacation really should be. I like a family beach vacation with the kids and grandkids, but it's not my vacation. |
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hobbydog |
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indagatoris |
I am sure to carefully select the person/persons on group trips. BW is definitely a great place to spend time with who you'd like! I know people who hate people and groups yet get into the wilderness to get away from people, with people... |
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Gunflinter |
quote GraniteCliffs: "I am 61 years ago. Got a pacemaker 2 years ago only due to an extremely slow heart rate/blood pressure causing me to pass out fairly often. My kind of Doctor. |
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Woods Walker |
quote BearBrown: "I dont think that most people are going to get why some of us enjoy getting out in the wild by ourselves. Self reflection, a deeper wilderness connection, being able to do what I want when I want, personal challenge, the quiet, are all reasons why I like spending time in the wild alone at times. Most people wont ever get out of their comfort zone and try spending time alone in the woods. I find it enjoyable and thats all that matters to me. I understand that others arent going to understand why. Ive been spending long periods of time in the woods alone since i started deer hunting when i was 12. For the better part of a week I was alone in the woods and only returned to camp in the evenings. I grew accustomed to it then, and still enjoy it now. " Very much the same for me, grew up hunting with my father & brother, we would go out in the dark morning & return after dark in the evening (alone)... the only exception was if we were successful & made it back to camp early. Later after my brother moved away & father was getting too old, I did many solo hunting trips. So it was easy for me when I decided to build a cedar strip "solo" canoe & then start taking solo trips. I have only planned a few solo trips, as most times can find others to go with. But its nice to not rely on another person going. And on the other discussion, I have told my kids, if I get to an age where I start having a hard time taking care of myself.... all I will need is help getting into my solo canoe, a kiss & a hug goodbye & I will die a happy man. |
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kanoes |
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tkaser3210 |
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways shouting, "Holy s**t! What a ride!" |
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housty9 |
quote tkaser3210: "At 70, my first solo starts in 2 weeks - here's my philosophy:So true. |
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SourisMan |
quote tkaser3210: "At 70, my first solo starts in 2 weeks - here's my philosophy: Good for you! I've done 6 solos, and just turned 60. My only advice....take your time, don't push too hard, enjoy every minute. |
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KevinL |
quote tkaser3210: "At 70, my first solo starts in 2 weeks - here's my philosophy: This has to be my new favorite quote. |
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mooseplums |
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housty9 |
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George |
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kanoes |
quote tkaser3210: "At 70, my first solo starts in 2 weeks - here's my philosophy: love that quote! have a great solo tk! |
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BearBrown |
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DaBurgh |
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HansSolo |
quote TomT: Damn! Another missed opportunity for an alternative screen name! I could have been; "CrazySoloGuy" :-) Hans Solo |
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boonie |
Crazy, man. |
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eagle93 |
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JoeWilderness |
quote hobbydog: "quote JoeWilderness: "quote mooseplums: "I have a friend who is a Cardiologist, and when I told him he said "Really?, what if you had a heart attack?" I am with you on that, hobbydog. Oh, and yes hobbydog we all must be crazy for going solo has never been a big deal for me. I can't explain why I am the way I am;yet, I have come to accept it. It sure is nice to have so many kindred spirits on the site. |
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Longpaddler |
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mooseplums |
quote JoeWilderness: "quote mooseplums: "I have a friend who is a Cardiologist, and when I told him he said "Really?, what if you had a heart attack?" Ain't No way I'm going out that way.......live like there is no tomorrow. Perhaps we will Joe |
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HansSolo |
quote TomT: "quote dprochef: You won't get an argument from anyone on this Forum! Hans Solo |
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TomT |
Now, I have all you other crazies out there to back me up and I feel much better about myself. :) |
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TomT |
quote dprochef: Right on! |
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luft |
quote HansSolo: "quote luft: "quote DaBurgh: "Tell him you have baby asa and sl ntg in your first aid kit, just in csse!" Sometimes my nursing studies come in handy! |
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dprochef |
How wouldn't being by my self, going at my own pace, eating what I want/when I want, Wake up when I want to, be in nature, paddle some of the most beautiful waters, see amazing creatures, and of course....do any Man-ly bodily function when i want without apologizing. How couldn't anyone understand that is a perfect vacation. :) :) :) |
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boonie |
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HansSolo |
quote luft: "quote DaBurgh: "Tell him you have baby asa and sl ntg in your first aid kit, just in csse!" Wow, Thanks "luft" for deciphering "DaBurgh's" quote, because I didn't get it. Thought it might have been a "typo". Hans Solo |
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luft |
quote DaBurgh: "Tell him you have baby asa and sl ntg in your first aid kit, just in csse!" Haha! Took me a second to register that! I always have the baby ASA (baby asprin) in my first aid kit as I take it daily, but haven't had to worry about the NTG SL (nitroglycerin tablets) as yet! |
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DaBurgh |
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jeepgirl |
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nctry |
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yellowcanoe |
Now I am retired, and I solo like others play golf. I got that "are you nuts" reaction at first. I kinda got tired of answering and at the end just said "yep I am a masochist". That usually shut prying questioners up. Just finished one Florida solo and now home waiting for ice out for the next. Solos are a great way to explore where you are. I wish I had died at the computer...NOT! |
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TomT |
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awbrown |
There are a number of reasons why solo trips hold our interest. However, I often times miss the joy of sharing my "discoveries" with others. Sighting an eagle, or a wolf. The slapping of the beavers tail. The evening I spent talking to the resident chipmunk at my campsite. The night spent amazed at the Northern Lights. The little moments that make the tripping so special......I often miss sharing those moments and those memories with others. |
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sunnybear09 |
quote boonie: "I've always done things alone since I was a kid; if no one else wanted to do it or go, I'd go anyway. At 12 or 14, I'd be alone miles out in the woods with a gun or rod. I'm comfortable with it and often prefer it. It's not just BW trips - I've hiked, backpacked, taken solo golf or beach vacations, gone to movies alone. It's not that I'm a total lone wolf, but if everybody I ask says no, I'm still going. Same history, same attitude!! We must be the most well-adjusted people around, Boonie! And we even eat the same food--scary! |
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bhouse46 |
As a boy on the farm I played mostly alone and was fascinated by nature doing fallen log ecology studies and that sort of stuff. When a friend introduced me to the BWCA/Quetico and paddling I found my passion. The first solo sunk the hook. |