Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Big Lakes?! :o
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OgimaaBines |
As far as big lakes, I echo the sentiments of butthead for all the reasons he mentioned. I've paddled Mountain, Moose and most all of the large lakes of the BWCAW and Quetico, tandem AND solo. Additionally, I've paddled the coastlines of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, as well as the Lake Superior coastline of Isle Royale in touring kayaks and solo canoes. I love the challenge of the big lakes, but as butthead mentioned, they require the utmost respect. Be safe and enjoy!> Hans Solo Well, I'm hoping like hell I don't roll the canoe this year.It's going to be cold water but I'll have a backup plan in case I do. It looks like I'll be using a winona prism kevlar with a straight paddle. I'm renting from voyageur canoe outfitters. I'm going to it real easy the first day or two and cover only 6-7 miles a day then stop to mess around and fish. Probably going to move each day and come back around on the pine/pike loop since I've got 7 full days. |
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OgimaaBines |
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missmolly |
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HansSolo |
quote butthead: "I do not agree with Exo. I know too many lifelong tandem paddlers who ran from their first solo paddling experiences. Solo paddling isn't about different techniques but how to apply what you do know. There is a learning curve some paddlers never figure out. Learn what you can do in a solo, in a safe environment, or be picky about the situation you will paddle in. I tend to agree with butthead on all counts, that is, solo paddling and big lakes. I've had a very experienced paddler "swim" my Sawyer DY Special first time at bat. Likewise for a BWCAW Outfitter friend of mine who was a very experienced kayaker and canoe paddler. He rolled my Wenonah Jensen C1W soon after he paddled away from his dock. This isn't to say you'll have problems, because for some there's a small learning curve, but it bears mentioning. There are also some variables we don't know, for one thing, what solo canoe do you intend to use? What tandem(s) have you paddled? Do you plan to use a straight, bent shaft paddle, or a double-bladed kayak paddle? As far as big lakes, I echo the sentiments of butthead for all the reasons he mentioned. I've paddled Mountain, Moose and most all of the large lakes of the BWCAW and Quetico, tandem AND solo. Additionally, I've paddled the coastlines of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, as well as the Lake Superior coastline of Isle Royale in touring kayaks and solo canoes. I love the challenge of the big lakes, but as butthead mentioned, they require the utmost respect. Be safe and enjoy! Hans Solo |
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OgimaaBines |
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gkimball |
quote OBX2Kayak: "Because of the potential for big wind I used a 17 foot touring kayak. It paid off." Interesting strategy for dealing with potential windy conditions going solo. My question: how did you pack gear and portage the thing? I have seen people traveling with kayaks and portaging looked really hard to downright nasty. |
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OgimaaBines |
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ZaraSp00k |
...and I wouldn't stay too close to shore, the lay of the bottom can make for some big breaking waves near shore |
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OBX2Kayak |
quote OgimaaBines: "I'm curious as well how you stowed your gear in a kayak. I'll likely have a 56 liter hiking pack and a food/cookware bag. I've got more experience with canoes so was going to go that route." Over the years I've whittled my gear down to 36 pounds, including food (but excluding water). It fits into four dry-bags plus a day pack. For portages, I hook two dry bags on each end of the paddle and carry the paddle on my shoulder. Portages are a pain with a kayak and all my gear. That's why I chose Basswood (can be reached by only one short portage). Up in the Q I base camped, then took day trips to other lakes. |
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nctry |
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OBX2Kayak |
I doubt you will get more than two or three days of mild winds, at best. It's important to plan for big wind in the Boundary Waters. |
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OgimaaBines |
My plan is to check the weather, see if there's a relatively stable system forecasted and give the big lakes a shot, staying near shore and not taking chances with the weather. I really want to tie into some lakers and do some hiking on the border trail. If the weather calls for wind I may just duck south to the smaller Caribou, Moon, and Alder lakes which will be good as well. Johnson Falls sounds like a must see. I'm experienced with tandem paddling and have been learning all I can about solo paddling. I know there's no substitute for practice so I may try a rental before the trip. I've done about 15 trips into the BWCA. What's your expedience with bigger lakes and wind? Anyone solo tripped up on Mountain/Moose? Thanks! |
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Exo |
Sounds like you also have a good backup plan for windy days. Dependent on what canoe you rent, and VERY dependent on water temp, you should be able to paddle water that is just starting to get the occasional whitecap. |
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Ho Ho |
The one other thing I would add is that having a well-trimmed canoe is really important with a solo in the wind, and generally speaking, a fully loaded canoe will be less pushed around by wind than one that is not fully loaded - something to think about if you go out on day trips. A few rocks or water jugs can help if a lot of your gear is already set up in camp. Enjoy! |
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jwartman59 |
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OgimaaBines |
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jwartman59 |
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Minnesotian |
Since you have been to the BW many times, you probably know this already, but I just want to reiterate: Leaving camp early, by 7 am, will alleviate many problems associated with wind. Mornings are usually calm. I have crossed many big lakes (Brule, Lac la Croix) early in the morning and never had any problem with wind. However, by 1 pm on those days, the wind would be throwing 3' whitecaps. Distributing the weight correctly on a solo canoe is very important. For going into the wind, I make sure to have a heavier bow. For tacking with the wind, I make sure to have a heavier stern. The reason is to take advantage of "windvaning." The lighter end of the canoe will swing around to flow with the wind. By distributing the weight correctly, you can use the wind to help you steer the canoe. I usually have two packs, one that is heavier sitting right behind me, and one that is a bit lighter that I can use a paddle to push closer to the bow or closer to me. |
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OgimaaBines |
My brother officially backed out today so the solo is confirmed. I'll be journaling and exploring aplenty so I'll post a trip report after I get settled back into the rat race. |
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butthead |
Enough of the negative, I find big lakes interesting. Treated with the respect they deserve a joy to paddle. Also potential navigation exercises, both to pick a route in good conditions and searching for a route with handy windbreaks along the way. From riding rollers on Crooked, whitecaps on Seagull, to 13 miles on Agnes in the rain with no wind. Even paddled the length of Pine without a wave, middle of a sunny Sept. afternoon. Be safe out there, and don't wait for the whitecaps to don a pfd, keep it on all the time. butthead |
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OldGreyGoose |
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