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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Unexpected Cost of Going Solo
 
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bumabu
02/18/2014 08:09AM
  
Where are you located at Rob? I might be able to help you out, shoot me an email.
 
boonie
02/18/2014 08:32PM
  
I had the same experience as TomT last time I used a bunkhouse, but it was late Sept and not a weekend. I think I was the only one in any of the rooms.
 
Rob Johnson
02/18/2014 09:18PM
  
quote bumabu: "Where are you located at Rob? I might be able to help you out, shoot me an email. "


Our pastor stopped by tonight and reminded me that he used to work at the REI in the Twin Cities...i.e. He has more bdub gear than he will ever use so I think that part is solved. Alas...he does not own a Bell Magic.


Speaking of Bell...bumabu, I live in the hometown of Bell Canoe Works...La Crosse, WI.
 
wetcanoedog
02/18/2014 11:25PM
  
gas is my major expense for the drive up from Mpls.i stay in NFS campgrounds and i have a "old guy" card so it's half price.
for the Q i used a bunkhouse on Moose Lake and i'll pop for a tow to the ranger station.
i spread out the cost of food by buying it a bit at a time during the winter.i used a retirement pay out for a new light weight canoe and the rest of the gear was built up by getting "best" tents,bags,stoves and so on one at a time over the years.the older second rate gear is used at the NFS camps the night before i leave so the pack stays packed.
by the way the Kanoe Kar which i bought for hauling the canoe up north only get 3500 miles for around town use a year.
 
TomT
02/19/2014 06:46AM
  
quote wetcanoedog: "the older second rate gear is used at the NFS camps the night before i leave so the pack stays packed.
"


A little digression here.


I use this trick too. If I'm staying in a campground the night before I bring an extra tent, bag and pad so all I do in the morning is throw those in the truck and never disturb my pack. It's a great trick to getting an early start.



 
butthead
02/19/2014 07:50AM
  
Not much I can add to the discussion. Own all my own gear, eat cheaper on trips than at home (hobby chef at home), fuel efficient vehicle, and stay at campgrounds 80% of the time.
I'll spend $166 for a week trip solo in the BWCA. $16 for the permit, $100 in fuel, average $25 a nite lodging for 2 nites.


Even going solo it's a very cheap week of vacation.


butthead
 
bumabu
02/19/2014 10:04AM
  
You need to email me rob.
 
Bogwalker
02/19/2014 12:15PM
  
For me the solo trips are more expensive for all the reasons listed PLUS my wife usually goes shopping when I'm gone feeling that she has that opportunity seeing I'm on a vacation without her and that is usually the largest unexpected cost.
 
KevinL
02/20/2014 10:46AM
  
I have bought a new fridge once before a trip because the old one was acting up, I did not want to hear about it when I returned.


Last year I came home and the bedroom was compleatly redecerated with new stuff everywhere.



 
Bannock
02/19/2014 11:19PM
  
quote Bogwalker: "For me the solo trips are more expensive for all the reasons listed PLUS my wife usually goes shopping when I'm gone feeling that she has that opportunity seeing I'm on a vacation without her and that is usually the largest unexpected cost."


My wife told me she looks forward to my trips because she always buys herself lobster when I'm gone! :)

 
awbrown
02/20/2014 12:42PM
  
I'd feel pretty lucky that all I would have to deal with would be a new fridge when I returned......better then a new boy friend.


I had a buddy who would cruise the bars during deer hunting season, looking for lonely wives. He called it "Doe Hunting."
 
Rob Johnson
02/17/2014 09:13AM
  
I have my first solo trip scheduled for this fall. I was more than a little naive when it comes to the extra costs. Most of this I should have realized in advance but the enticing notion of going solo won out before I gave any thoughts to cost. Here is what I have learned so far:

1) I have to have ALL the gear. No relying on tripmates to fill in the gaps.
2) Any number divided by 1 is expensive. Lodging...$69 for a cabin is cheap when divided by 4 but seems overpriced when dividing by 1 (and a hotel room in Grand Marais seems outrageous). Rentals...like a sat phone add up quick when you are paying for it on your own.
3) Not all of my group gear works well for solo...most notably the canoe and the tent. So I am renting a Magic (see point #2 for how expensive that gets) and I bought a Warbonnet hammock (see point #1).

I still love the idea of being one with nature but please don't tell my family that a trip to Disney might be cheaper.
 
hobbydog
02/17/2014 10:22AM
  
quote Cedarboy: "You can stay at a USFS campground and cut your lodging by 75%, that my help. Even in groups that what we do.
CB"


When I am by myself I can sleep just about anywhere, harder with a group.


Also any new gear is an "investment" that can be depreciated and then sold when you are done. Good gear seems to hold value as long as it is cared for. Because you go solo you can go more often on a whim so gear gets used more.


If you trip with family members (wife/kids) then things get a lot cheaper.



 
HansSolo
02/17/2014 10:43AM
  

Not to mention the gas cost to drive there and back divided by one! :-)

Welcome to solo tripping Rob. Expensive yes, but well worth it in my opinion.

Hans Solo
 
housty9
02/17/2014 11:19AM
  
Having a suburban I can sleep about any where 0 cost, yes it's more expensive gear wise at first, but now that i have it the per trip cost is now less, plus I sold my boat to buy a solo canoe and had money leftover to buy a little extra gear.
 
bumabu
02/19/2014 02:20PM
  
Thats why you gotta leave em with three screaming kids, that usually keeps them out of the store!
 
SevenofNine
02/19/2014 02:26PM
  
Well worth the extra cost in my opinion. Some of the best trips I've had were on solos.


For years I used less than top of the line gear so you don't have to splurge unless you want to. My pack for 10 years or more was an external frame pack from Kelty I bought in 1995.
 
wetcanoedog
02/19/2014 06:57PM
  
bogwalker..i came back from a trip to find a new stove in the kitchen..
 
awbrown
02/19/2014 01:32PM
  
quote Bogwalker: "For me the solo trips are more expensive for all the reasons listed PLUS my wife usually goes shopping when I'm gone feeling that she has that opportunity seeing I'm on a vacation without her and that is usually the largest unexpected cost."


Just one of the prices we must pay. Solo, or out with the guys, Dagwood must deal with "Blondies Revenge."
 
Bogwalker
02/19/2014 08:20PM
  
Glad to know I don't walk alone. :-)
 
HansSolo
02/19/2014 12:05PM
  

quote TomT: "quote wetcanoedog: "the older second rate gear is used at the NFS camps the night before i leave so the pack stays packed.
"

A little digression here.

I use this trick too. If I'm staying in a campground the night before I bring an extra tent, bag and pad so all I do in the morning is throw those in the truck and never disturb my pack. It's a great trick to getting an early start."

Yep, same here on the "pre-trip" gear arrangement.

Hans Solo
 
housty9
02/19/2014 02:16PM
  
quote Bogwalker: "For me the solo trips are more expensive for all the reasons listed PLUS my wife usually goes shopping when I'm gone feeling that she has that opportunity seeing I'm on a vacation without her and that is usually the largest unexpected cost." I would steal her credit card before you go.
 
TomT
02/20/2014 07:37AM
  
quote Bogwalker: "For me the solo trips are more expensive for all the reasons listed PLUS my wife usually goes shopping when I'm gone feeling that she has that opportunity seeing I'm on a vacation without her and that is usually the largest unexpected cost."


No truer words have ever been spoken. :) I gulped in horror when my wife informed me that her sister was coming in from Florida to "hang" with her while I was on my "vacation".



 
Cedarboy
02/17/2014 10:02AM
  
You can stay at a USFS campground and cut your lodging by 75%, that my help. Even in groups that what we do.
CB
 
Exo
02/17/2014 12:18PM
  
I believe dispersed camping is allowed in the nat'l forest. Just pull off somewhere and tie the hammock up....


I tried the logic of increased cost having to be offset by a longer trip with my dear wife. It was a valiant attempt...



 
awbrown
02/17/2014 12:59PM
  
Expensive is a relative term. Imagine what it costs a guy to go deer hunting.






Cost of deer hunting
 
Bannock
02/17/2014 08:47PM
  
The big thing for me is the gas money.


With a group we do a bunkhouse. When solo, I sleep in the truck. I'd do a bunkhouse if it were $15 - 18. The ones I know of are $25+ with a 2 person minimum. That's $50+.


None of it's unexpected, but group trips are way more inexpensive.



 
boonie
02/17/2014 08:45PM
  
I discovered the same things a long time ago, Rob. I have a long drive and gas and motels add up. If someone comes with me, the gas is cut in half, motels almost. A tandem canoe rents for $40 ($20 ea.), while a solo rents for $30.00. If someone from here comes with me, it cuts my cost about 40%. To say nothing of lighter loads due to shared gear and the fact that the solo rental canoes weigh about 3/4 the weight of the tandems. And you have somebody to do half the camp chores.


But it's hard to find somebody with the time and the scheduling freedom. I do longer trips of 7-10 days now to make it more worthwhile to drive 2600 miles round trip.


I just save for my solo expenses, then if somebody comes with me I'm ahead for next year :).
 
TomT
02/17/2014 11:42AM
  
I usually stay in outfitter bunkhouses the night before. It's about $15-18. You get your own room and share a common bath area. I also will use their tow service and get piece of mind knowing my truck is parked in their lot for the week.


As for the canoe, if you feel strongly like you'll be soloing in the years to come I would consider buying a used solo instead of renting. The rental cost might be half or 1/3 the cost of owning your own and then you never have to rent again.


And then you can just accumulate or update gear for your trips over the next few years. It's fun and helps you beat winter cabin fever.



 
TomT
02/18/2014 08:28AM
  
quote Bannock: "The big thing for me is the gas money.



With a group we do a bunkhouse. When solo, I sleep in the truck. I'd do a bunkhouse if it were $15 - 18. The ones I know of are $25+ with a 2 person minimum. That's $50+.
"


I was charged $18 for a bunk house when solo in Sept. I think I was discounted for the seasons end and possibly cause they like me. :) Seriously, I know they waived any minimum fee for me but it's probably because they were very slow at the time. I got a single bunk and not a double bed.