Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: First Solo- what else do I need to plan?
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sueb2b |
I took an extra paddle. I figured I wouldn't need it, unless I didn't have it. I agree on the eating less. I tried to get started early, stop early afternoon so I had plenty of time for setup-related activities. I had brought a weather radio. I couldn't get any weather bands, but I could get Ely NPR. I tried reading but was generally tired, and found I'd rather listen to the radio if I wanted something to listen to. It also gave me weather reports. I also rented a SPOT for the trip. Just in case. |
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boonie |
You don't say what your solo paddling experience is though, so heed cowdoc's advice to watch the wind. Don't let your canoe blow away at portage landings (no one to hold it). Take a spare paddle. Take paper and pen. You will have to carry everything, including the canoe. I usually think in terms of leaving things I might otherwise bring on a group trip. I don't bring a saw, hatchet, chair. Food is very simple. Maybe you want a PLB, Spot, sat phone . . . ? |
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mjmkjun |
Likely, you read this aleady but if not it's worth the time. |
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joshmontague |
That changes this August when I head in for a 4-day trip and a 6-day trip with a week in between. I'm pretty confident in my abilities and have planned canoe trips well, but what things do I need to be thinking about or planning to bring that I wouldn't usually think about or bring on group trips? I'm being very conservative with mileage and the first trip will be a test to feel how fast portages and paddling go so that I can be more aggressive with the second trip. I love to fish, but that's not the point of the trip for me. Solitude, quiet, and exploration are what I love. Appreciate the forthcoming words of wisdom... |
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cowdoc |
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hobbydog |
You won't eat as much. Keep meals simple. You have to do ALL the work. Keep moving, stay busy. Don't overthink it. Have fun. |
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joshmontague |
quote hobbydog: "You won't eat as much. " We've never met personally, have we? :) |
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jdevries |
JD |
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Alan Gage |
Alan |
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mastertangler |
When I first started soloing I would sort of not have any set plans or ambitions and sort of let things happen. That sounded good in theory but what happened was I got aimless.....and then listless.......and then lonely.......and then started thinking about home (poor baby). Now I set ambitious plans.....often getting rolling before it's even daylight and stay busy ALL day long. I don't have time to get lonely......just go! Did I mention sleep like a baby at night because your exhausted? Now I regularly do trips of at least 2 weeks solo and not think twice about it. I ilke group solos best of all but I know that most of my usual suspects can only go for about 10 days and for me that's when I just start to settle in. So I'm happy with a group but by staying busy and having aggressive ambitious plans I am just as happy alone. |
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TomT |
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mastertangler |
I still dig the whole group solo thing best however. Want some company then fine......but plenty of alone time as well. Best of both worlds iMO. |