Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Hardest thing on a solo?
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LindenTree3 |
Having given my background, the part I have trouble with is not moving. I had a unplanned lay over day on a recent trip in AK due to rain. It rained all day and all I could do was huker down under my tarp. Couldn't build a fure, couldn't canoe, couldnt hike. Staying inactive is my hardest thing about going solo. |
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DeterminedOrange |
Reading the old stories about tripping with canvas covered canoes I use some of those same tricks like prop the canoe up on a stick or tie the bowline to myself while carrying the packs in. As far as being busy goes, I can say the solo experience leaves me either wide open or shutoff and I don't care for the abrupt transition between them. To overcome this I kind of mentally schedule break times while doing chores and it seems more welcome. In the evening I just go to bed once after dinner and evening chores are done. |
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Sierra1 |
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boonie |
quote LindenTree3: "I have always rolled solo, since I was a kid. I live off grid on a 12 mile long logging road with no one else living on the road. So solo is all I know, I struggle in the company of others. I have had the same experience and decided that boredom is a novel experience these days. I wonder what people did before all of the distractions we have . . . ? |
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housty9 |
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sueb2b |
I'm going back this year on a non-solo. It'll be interesting to see how my "need to move" kicks in, or doesn't. |
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crumpman |
Another issue was fully embracing the concept of doing my own thing. I brought pancake mix and I really don't care for pancakes (most others on in a group enjoy pancakes so I brought some), I won't do that again. |
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mooseplums |
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GraniteCliffs |
quote PortageKeeper: "Not having someone there to share it with - otherwise, I really don't have any issues." You captured by perspective well. |
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awbrown |
I've taught myself to slow down. Stop and smell the flowers. You don't have to be busy every single moment. It's a canoe, it's meant to get you there slowly and once there, slow down and you might discover something new and interesting. The feeling that I had to be doing something every minute used to be my hardest thing on a solo. Not anymore, but it took me a long time to learn to relax and quit stressing out. I'm a star gazer so I'm not a big campfire lover. I love watching the heavens on clear nights. If the evening isn't clear, I'll either read or carve wood. Spend the evening making a spoon or a kuska (wooden cup). I love the new found ability to relax. I no longer care about the destination.....it's the journey that is important. |
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boonie |
quote Banksiana: "Big water and big winds. Never bored really. Quite content to sit and listen to the wind and the water against the rock. That's one of those things I have trouble with - the hardest part is knowing when to go and when to stay. |
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TomT |
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ZaraSp00k |
I agree about lacking someone to share it with, but then chances are that what I'd like to share wouldn't exist if somebody else was there. I like watching the sun set with the awesome change of colors followed by that glow moving around the horizon until finally daybreak. Throw in shooting stars, the moon, satellites, wolves and loons ... I've stayed up all night watching it by myself, I compensate by taking naps during the day. If someone else is around they have to be doing something or constantly talking about the BS I'm trying to get away from. |
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PineKnot |
As for boredom, I guess I'm lucky. When not feeling like killing myself covering many miles and portages, I can become "sloth-like" and literally enjoy sitting around camp for a day or two doing, well, almost nothing but enjoying the solitude... |
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Frenchy19 |
The hardest thing for me on a solo is getting home and having to clean and store all my gear again. That said, that is also what I like the least about any trip. |
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Banksiana |
From my last solo- day 1 |
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ducks |
The hardest thing I've had on a solo was this... 1 mile portage of tree after tree down. It took 2 1/2 hours to get through and it was very tiring without anyone to help lift canoe and pack over or under as well as having to do all of the sawing. I was exhausted before I even saw a lake. |
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jcavenagh |
quote GraniteCliffs: "quote PortageKeeper: "Not having someone there to share it with - otherwise, I really don't have any issues." Me, too. I have no problem with camp chores as I do those when doing solo overnighter hikes. But several days by myself just doesn't work for me. I grew up in a big family, and in a neighborhood where we had dozens of friends. I just like to have fun with at least one other person. |
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bhouse46 |
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boonie |
Apparently I'm a minority of one here. I don't want to be busy all the time - that's my regular life. I have joking told family and friends who asked "what do you do alone out there and do you not get bored", that "some of us are more easily amused than others". May be it's true! I feel that I've arrived at my trip's destination when I'm neither busy nor bored, but three hours of time has disappeared. |
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HighnDry |
quote boonie: "Getting on the water early. And drinking enough water to stave off dehydration. You can make that a minority of two boonie. It's taken several trips for me to develop the aesthetic of just enjoying the time that I'm out there. Hydration is an issue for me but I'm developed a system that works for me. My ideal solo is to plan in enough time "in camp" to sit down, drink coffee and take in the view as well as enough fishing and exploring time out on the water. I feel that there is something to the "zen" of living in the moment -- at least for me. Everyone has their own approach to this style of travel which I find interesting as well to read and try when I'm out there. |
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OBX2Kayak |
quote Alan Gage: "Hardest part of a solo is coming back out. I agree. The hardest part for me is when I have to re-enter civilization. |
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TomT |
Actually taking down and loading the packs is probably the hardest. It's a necessary evil I guess. |
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gymcoachdon |
Like TomT said, setting up and tearing down camp was an eye opener for me. I had never solo camped before, and when every camp chore is your responsibility, it really adds up. I guess I didn't realize how much my wife was doing while I was setting up the tent, etc. I decided on a system of 2 nights in a camp, since day 2 would always match my preconceived idea of what a BW trip would be. Camp chores, camp meals, fishing, exploring...travel days were work! Not that I didn't enjoy them as well, but totally different! Being alone was liberating, didn't bother me at all. I guess I like doing what I want when I want to. |
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jeepgirl |
I am one of those people that are never bored on a solo. I like to read so on windy day's I will spend the day reading. I usually can get through 3 to 4 books on a 6 day trip. |
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TomT |
quote jeepgirl: "The hardest thing for me was hanging my food. Solved that problem with a bear vault this year. I need the emoticon with the eyes bulging out for this. :) I like to read and always bring a book but it's usually reserved for the evenings before bed. |
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hooky |
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mjmkjun |
I'm beginning to understand more and more the attraction of keeping on the move and not staying more than two nights in a spot. Also, I sleep better with a more demanding level of activity than a lesser one. |
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FOG51 |
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TomT |
quote LindenTree3: "I have always rolled solo, since I was a kid. I live off grid on a 12 mile long logging road with no one else living on the road. So solo is all I know, I struggle in the company of others. Yeah, that is tough for me too. It's one reason why I will spend some time on bringing the right book/books. A book I get so engrossed in that I don't want to put down is what I'm after for those tarp or windbound days. |
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TomT |
quote hobbydog: "The second hardest part is the last week before the trip. " I agree. I can rarely think of anything but the trip. As Tom Petty sings "The waiting, is the hardest part...". Also, there's that little worry while on the road that something crazy could happen to derail the trip. I overheated in 2006 and had to be towed 25 miles. Ever since then there's been a bit of anxiety on the road. Once I get to the outfitter I know I'm good to go. |
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jdevries |
JD |
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gkimball |
For these reasons I tend now to plan less aggressive trips, allowing more time in camp and exploring the area without moving all the gear. Base camping or allowing 2-3 nights per campsite. I have never been bored soloing, even if the weather isn't cooperating. Just too much to be aware of - whatever is happening. |
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hobbydog |
quote Frenchy19: " That's me. I get a real hangover after a good trip. The second hardest part is the last week before the trip. |
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nctry |
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housty9 |
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bwcasolo |
quote PortageKeeper: "Not having someone there to share it with - otherwise, I really don't have any issues." i found a partner last year from st. louis, many solo trips before alone, we now take our solo boats and have a great week. |
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sunnybear09 |
Once into the wilderness I relax, enjoy the lack of phone calls, emergency, traffic, the news, etc. so much that sitting and pondering is so soothing. Plus, for the last 3 years I have been taking my dog Cupcake, and she adds a wonderful level of companionship and energy to the mix. On an 8 day loop, usually 7-8 lakes/portages per day traveling I will stay over at a good campsite twice, fishing, cleaning, relaxing, exploring. I am not so efficient as to having a great deal of extra time--the length of day is the controlling factor. And I get tired so going to bed just as it gets dark works just fine--9 or 10 hours of sleep is so functional. And since I started bringing a chair to go with my coffee habit (huge), sitting and watching just gets better every time. |
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housty9 |
quote TomT: "The hardest part is setting up and tearing down camp. It is much more work than with a group. I'd rather be doing something else than blowing up an air mattress on my knees and slipping poles into tent sleeves.My tear down and setup has gotten a lot easier with all the new gear I have gotten the last few year. Some of the steeper portages can be a real challenge when soloing when putting into the water. |
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Bogwalker |
I also find I don't eat as much or as well as I should-if its been a long day I often just eat trail bars and such rather than making a big dinner. |
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cowdoc |
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Alan Gage |
I can't think of anything particularly hard about a solo but will agree with the getting bored part. I generally only take rest days when forced to by weather. Instead of making camp early I tend to take longer breaks during the day. I usually stop for a full hour at lunch to cook an actual meal and might sit on a rock for 20 minutes at the end of a portage before getting back in the boat. I usually don't make camp until 6:00 or later. Just enough time to sit on a rock and relax while my feet dry off, put on dry shoes, set up camp, cook dinner, write in journal, maybe read a little, and go to bed a little after sunset. Alan |
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PortageKeeper |
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housty9 |
For me right now is keeping busy, if I'm not doing something all the time I'm bored, so I try to stay on the water most of the day and get to a camp before five, then get all my stuff done relax for awhile then go to bed early, then get up early and do it again, love the staying on the move and seeing new things nonstop. |