Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: 1st-Solo ... Maybe?!
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gkimball |
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jcavenagh |
bucks- I really am thinking of staying in the southern part of the area. If I can't do the Hustler River, I am leaning strongly to doing an out and back instead of a loop. That would mean, basically, Shell to Otter to Gebe and then back out the same way. My thinking is to avoid Loon and Little Loon. Possibly routing thru Heritage on the way back out for a little change up. Again, I am going to talk to the ranger before I enter and see if there is any info on water levels in Hustler River. I could leave a note for you about my decision when I enter at LIS. Would that be something you are interested in? |
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SevenofNine |
quote sueb2b: "Hey all! Thanks for the thread, jcavenagh. Best of luck with the solo. I look forward to hearing the outcome. I would pick a different entry. Moose to me is kind of a boring area. So many nicer areas without motorized traffic to explore. |
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jcavenagh |
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jcavenagh |
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jeepgirl |
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sueb2b |
quote SevenofNine: "quote sueb2b: "I would pick a different entry. Moose to me is kind of a boring area. So many nicer areas without motorized traffic to explore." |
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sueb2b |
I'll look into the route you mentioned. Personally, I'd prefer smaller water, also. Too close to leaving to consider Quetico (thought about it). I'm thinking of getting a Spot or Inreach, if only to give my mother peace of mind. |
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jcavenagh |
My idea for a first solo is to find a route with mostly small water. I had planned on entering at Little Indian Sioux, EP14, and doing a route thru Shell, Hustler, et al. The Shell-Hustler area has small lakes and the Sioux Hustler Trail. That trail offers a safety bail out route in the event of some disaster. Again, for a first time solo, that might be of interest. But on my first solo, I want to do some bush craft type stuff, so I have moved my trip north. By changing my trip, I lose that bail out option. My wife is not too happy about that, but I showed her where there is a fish camp with a radio on my Wabakimi route AND I am carrying a SPOT tracker. She still reviewed the life insurance this morning! :) P.S. I provided Ontario Police and Wabakimi Park Mgmt office contact info to my SPOT lifeline people so they have the info at hand...just in case. |
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jcavenagh |
There are some routes on the east side of BW with a lot of small water, but I have never been over that way. Have a great time...and stay safe out there! |
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jcavenagh |
I'll leave a note tucked in by the rear door above the license plate area. |
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sueb2b |
My canoeing buddy bailed on me also. Still planning a trip for end of August. Her plan was to go in at Moose with a tow. Might do that, but I'm also looking around at other reports to see if I want to change it up any. |
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Bucksnort |
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jcavenagh |
quote Bucksnort: "Going in 8/10 at LIS and not sure of the route yet, but maybe we will cross paths. Initially was going to get to Emerald and base camp with the group, but might adjust now that it's just me. Canoe - not sure - going through an outfitter and was suggested a canyak (sp?). " Well, my route is there for you to see. I want to stay south of lac la Croix, so that's why I am thinking of heading south on the Hustler River. BUT, I have a feeling I won't be able to do that, so maybe I'll go in and out instead of doing a loop. Whatever conditions dictate. That is one of the big advantages of the solo...you do not have to answer to any other paddler and can change your route as you see fit. |
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BlueSkiesWI |
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Bucksnort |
quote jcavenagh: I'll check back with you as I get closer to a decision - still might have a small group, but it is looking bleak. Also, most of my gear is set for groups (mainly cooking) so I need to make sure I have what I need for a Solo. - This site has been extremely helpful in the process. |
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Jaywalker |
More than a few of us are grateful that at some point in our past, our beloved paddling partners abandoned us, so we tried solo. As you can see, it can get really addictive. Everyone has their own preference on boats, but I'd suggest skipping the canyak in favor of a true solo canoe. I liked the bell magic, others like wildernesses, prisms, or others. My suggestion would be not to base camp solo. Keep moving around and explore, or maybe plan one layover day. Watch the weather and plan a little flexibility in case of wind. Anyone can get wind bound, but it's a little easier to happen if you are solo. Paddling very early in the morning can help avoid this. Even with a lot of outdoor experience, you may find on the first night that the woods are a lot noisier than you remember when with a group. These sounds are one of the great aspects of the wilderness that are often missed when we are with paddling partners. Now I love going to sleep to those sounds. |
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jcavenagh |
BTW--I just looked up canyak and they seem pretty short and shallow. Maybe I'm not looking at the right thing?? Anyway, for lakes, I think a solo canoe would give better performance. |
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yellowcanoe |
quote jcavenagh: "OK. I guess spelling matters :) Wenonah Canak decked Prism so not small |
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jcavenagh |
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SevenofNine |
Finally going light and keeping things simple are the best two rules to follow. |
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hobbydog |
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PineKnot |
quote Bucksnort: "...Any advice to make a first timers decision and trip easier would be appreciated. -Thanks" Fish a lot. Bring a good stove for fried fish...a grill for baked fish...a good saw and small ax for fires. A few drinks helps...you'll have fun... |
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Bucksnort |
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luft |
While I love the company of tripping partners there is something incredibly feeing about doing solo trips. It becomes all about me and it is very relaxing to operate on that level. I read, I fish, I day trip, and I nap which are all things I don't get enough of in my real world life. In my opinion the only downside to solo trips is that there is no one to share the load of the work with so setting up camp and other chores take up more time as there is only one person doing it. I also sometimes wish there was someone to share with when you see something amazing. |
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boonie |
Although I didn't have much BW or canoeing experience, I had done plenty of hunting, fishing, hiking and camping alone, including a couple of short - overnight/long weekend - backpacking trips, and I was comfortable being alone. It was still a learning experience, but I've done many since then. You're just going to be doing the same thing you usually do only there won't be a bunch of people with you. Some soloists prefer to move every day, some like to basecamp, some a little of both. You'll be free to do whatever you want. General considerations: You'll have to carry everything yourself (no sharing of community gear) and do all the camp chores yourself. I usually keep things lighter and simpler. I also usually figure to travel a little less each day than when tandem and maybe add an extra "weather day". If you scroll back through the threads in this forum, you'll find plenty of varied experience to help you prepare. Just ask whatever questions you come up with and we'll answer. |
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HighnDry |
Anyway, I usually bring either my action cam or sony waterproof camera and my fishing gear -- these are my "hobbies" that I can indulge when I'm on my own schedule out there. I love to journal so I have a small notebook to capture the details for that eventual trip report that I'll write (note to self on last point :). Picking a route that you will enjoy in terms of lakes to visit, portages to cover and sites to visit gives the trip the purpose and motivation I need to keep going. Keeping my pack/gear light has also made the experience more enjoyable but that's a personal choice. Enjoy your trip -- let us know where you are heading -- you may see one of us out there :) |
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bhouse46 |
And ditto the others, my tripping partners went elsewhere. Once I got over the really being alone it became something I now seek. The time thing is significant. The time you would have had help from others, you do it alone so some things take longer. Time filled chatting and just sitting together will need an alternative plan. I personally pick an area and scout it out using this forums resources then enter when my permit allows. The rest of the trip is controlled folly and the time spent with others is spent planning what I might do next and then doing it. I seem to tweak my gear adjusting this and that and by the time I come out I have it pretty much working the way I want. And as they say at Nike...just do it. You will be glad you did. |
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jcavenagh |
I enter 8/8 at LIS 14 and will be in Shell, Oyster, Gebe, Finger, Hustler, maybe spend a night in Emerald, maybe a night in Pekan...My actual route is just now starting to come into focus. My big question right now is whether the Hustler River can be paddled or will it be just a muddy slough. That will determine if I go further north and come through Slim or not. I, too, will be bringing a few cameras to shoot photos and vids. Also, this year I am going to try to start a fire with a bow drill. I am going to try and learn the Canadian stroke. I am going to play with my Prism and see what it does as far as tipping and work on recovery from swamping(hopefully, the weather will cooperate on that one). I plan to move everyday at sunrise and camp early. Then will do the other things. I want to keep myself overly busy so I will fall asleep each night exhausted. |
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TomT |
Like Boonie, I try to simplify things and weight. A crazy creek canoe seat doubles as my chair, I don't bring a fry pan and grill fish in the coals instead of frying. Oatmeal for breakfast and lots of freezedried stuff for dinner. I will however, bring salami and cheese for lunch on crackers. A camera, fishing, and reading/journaling are my things to do. Besides just napping or exploring at my whim. Like Luft says, it's pretty darn cool to be free to do as you please. |
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jeepgirl |
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ducks |
I did it. You can definitely do it. Have fun!!!!!!!!!!! |