So, I am packed and just need to load the truck.
My clothes, camping gear and 8 days food weigh 40 lbs.
That includes a hatchet and Sven saw and 2 tarps (hammock and kitchen).
That does not include my cameras and batteries (about 4lbs.)
The Ursack helps keep weight down.
I'm leaving tomorrow for Wabakimi and entering Friday at Smye Lake thru Gault, Termite, in to Windfall and out thru Stump, Gault, Flindt, Wikie.
6 nights on the water.

Have fun! Looking forward to hearing about it when you get back

Have fun, watch the sky for the Perseids!

butthead

enjoy!

Have a great trip and be safe.

I think you're really going to enjoy this - experiencing new things, seeing new things, doing new things. Have a good time.

Have a great trip!

Out the door! YO! YO! YO!

Have fun! Hopefully you'll get to see a few shooting stars!

I am jealous.

He's on the road, all alone
free as the wind
he's a rolling stone

Have a great trip!

Hope you're having a great trip, weather is looking good for seeing the perseids! Excited for the trip report

quote jcavenagh: "Out the door! YO! YO! YO!"

Have a great time Jim. Maybe when you get back we can finally have a cocktail! Never been, but Neighbors over by Garden Market is probably about half way.

quote butthead: "Have fun, watch the sky for the Perseids!


butthead"

I saw these over the past 2 weeks. At least one or even two shooting stars every night when I was out of the tent :)

Jim....I am dying to know how it went. Let me know Bro.

I learned two things:
1. Solo tripping is significantly more fatiguing than I anticipated;
2. I do not have the personality to solo. I tried a solo hike many years ago and came out early because I could not stand solitude. Same thing this time around. I need people around. I grew up in a big family and all my friends and cousins had big families. I just do not tolerate solitude. No more soloing for me.

And, the portages on the west side of Wabakimi are tough, little used, and really hard to find!

quote jcavenagh: "I learned two things:
1. Solo tripping is significantly more fatiguing than I anticipated;
2. I do not have the personality to solo. I tried a solo hike many years ago and came out early because I could not stand solitude. Same thing this time around. I need people around. I grew up in a big family and all my friends and cousins had big families. I just do not tolerate solitude."

solo isn't for everyone. glad you gave it a shot.

quote kanoes: "

quote jcavenagh: "I learned two things:
1. Solo tripping is significantly more fatiguing than I anticipated;
2. I do not have the personality to solo. I tried a solo hike many years ago and came out early because I could not stand solitude. Same thing this time around. I need people around. I grew up in a big family and all my friends and cousins had big families. I just do not tolerate solitude."

solo isn't for everyone. glad you gave it a shot."

A really good shot. That was a big first solo. Did you see anyone? Good weather? Any positives in the trip?

Well, apparently I was wrong about you really enjoying it. But now you know. Did you get to do the things you were looking forward to experimenting with? or were you just too tired?

You bit off a pretty big bite for a first solo.

Some good points. Doing everything yourself is fatiguing. And with a big trip in really alone kinds of places...give it some time to sort out and you might be up for a short solo in a more populated area. If not bravo for making the effort and learning from it.

Sorry to hear trip wasn't all you were hoping.

Still would like to hear more about it, if you've got a trip report to share.

quote bhouse46: "Some good points. Doing everything yourself is fatiguing. And with a big trip in really alone kinds of places...give it some time to sort out and you might be up for a short solo in a more populated area. If not bravo for making the effort and learning from it. "

I agree. My first solo in a very long time was to Quetico in the fall about five years ago. I did not see anyone for five full days and only a few folks after that. I also traveled quite a long way. Since then I have gone in areas with a few more people and for shorter periods of time. I was not too keen on a lot of solitude since I like people an awful lot. I have slowly become much more appreciative of that time alone. It may not be for you but after a time you might consider a shorter solo to the BW to see if it fits you better.

After my first solo, I started planning shorter daily travel miles for my solos. Maybe you were just too busy and tired to relax and enjoy it . . .?

You can always try a group solo, then you'll have some company to chat with, glad you tried it thou, it can take awhile to get comfortable with it.

quote>
solo isn't for everyone. glad you gave it a shot."

Yes. Solo tripping is not for everyone. I just had to give it a shot and I am glad I did so. I had some doubts whether I would tolerate being alone because, well, I’m 58 years old and have learned a thing or two about me over that time. I confirmed to myself how I tolerate solitude.

I am being a bit more honest with myself in these last few years, too. There are a lot of factors I am dealing with. My general life long experience of being with people and my feeling that I am not being fair with my wife, are just the two most prominent issues for me.

So, I am not likely to go out alone again.

A really good shot. That was a big first solo. Did you see anyone? Good weather? Any positives in the trip? "

This is too funny...Yes I did see other people. When I pulled into the clearing at the Smye Lake put in a radio was blasting! Two young guys from Ontario Fisheries were there with a big pick up truck and a four wheel ATV on a trailer. They were doing fish counts in the various lakes outside the PP. They had a big mossy tent set up and invited me in for a few cold drinks. We talked for about 3 hours before hitting the hay. In the morning they treated me to a big hot cup'o'joe and then they packed up and drove to their next assignment. I started my canoe trip. On Day 3 I saw a party of 4 bright red canoes paddling north on Flindt. They were about a mile away, so I did not talk to them, but I was surprised to see such a large group. I thought would see them as I paddled north the next morning, but they must have camped somewhere way up at the north end of Flindt. And a big yellow Otter landed and went up to the fish camp on Flindt on Day 3. It flew out several hours later. We waved to each other.

Weather was really pretty good. I had to stop short on Day 1 because of thunder storms in late afternoon. I ended up camping on a portage, hunkered down while the storms went through. I was sort of wind bound on Day 3, but I did not plan on paddling that day. By midafternoon, the wind was really blowing and waves were breaking up around 18-24" on shore.

Positives? Yes. I can say that the nylon sling chair setup on a tripod was a great success. Very comfortable. The wife sewed it up for me and I was really happy with it.
Another positive is that I learned that I am not a solo trip guy. Just because I did not enjoy being alone I still view the experience as a positive one. Also, I know that I can find and traverse some really primitive portages. I am sure my sore knee will heal up in a few weeks. ;)

quote boonie: "Well, apparently I was wrong about you really enjoying it. But now you know. Did you get to do the things you were looking forward to experimenting with? or were you just too tired?


You bit off a pretty big bite for a first solo."

I did plan a fairly long trip for a first solo. I tried a few things, like splitting small logs and trying to start a fire with only a fire steel and roughed up birch bark. I also cooked over the fire using bush crafty type methods. I didn't try the bow drill.

I was pretty tired. I had trouble eating and had to force myself to eat at least one full size meal each day. On Day 3 I was feeling pretty peckish and my stomach was sour. I think maybe I was getting sick because when I got out and got down to Ignace, I had extreme heartburn, I had the shakes and I was vomiting repeatedly. I curled up in bed at about 6pm and spent a restless night in bed until 6 the next morning.

Then I got up and had a big breakfast and felt great!

quote bhouse46: "Some good points. Doing everything yourself is fatiguing. And with a big trip in really alone kinds of places...give it some time to sort out and you might be up for a short solo in a more populated area. If not bravo for making the effort and learning from it. "

Yes. My original plan for this trip was to enter at LIS and do Shell, etc. I changed the plan a few days before entering so I could avoid what looked like a fire ban coming. As it was, I planned on 6 mi/day, which I thought was reasonable for a first solo. And if I had gotten to my put in on Friday, instead of Saturday, maybe I would have done my complete loop. But maybe not because we did get rain on both Friday and Saturday.

When I got home I was ready to swear off camping, canoeing, hiking and sell off all my gear. SWMBO told me to sleep on it and at least keep enough gear for me to go camping. With a week behind me I can see maybe doing short BWCA trips. The drive up is only half as far and I can do two night on the water in just a long weekend. But I will probably have a partner from now on, whether it is two canoes or one tandem. I just like talking to someone and sharing a campfire. We do this to enjoy ourselves and I know for sure now that I don't enjoy being in the woods alone.

Remember, just because I don't enjoy that style of trip, I am not saying that others shouldn't, or that others are crazy to like it. I may be an arrogant SOB, but I'm not THAT arrogant. ;)

I experienced one thing that I noticed others have experienced. I moved pretty slowly at first. But On Day 4 I really found my rhythm and I made 12 miles by Noon, even though I was feeling pretty sick.

quote sueb2b: "Sorry to hear trip wasn't all you were hoping.


Still would like to hear more about it, if you've got a trip report to share."

Sue - This is just something that happens. We try new things and they don't always go as we anticipate. But still I am glad I did this. I am working on a trip report, but it will take a few weeks to edit photos and vids.

By the way, I was able to hang the hammock every night. That far north, it can be iffy because black spruce dominates the forest. Black spruce can be spindly and unstable. I was fortunate to sleep great.

Some folks have reported getting the heebie-jeebies at night when out alone. I did not have that issue. Being alone (and maybe an oncoming illness) seemed to be my biggest problem.

But, hey,...lesson learned! If I had not tried this I would always be wondering...What if....?

Oh and one other positive...Because I took this trip I was forced to organize all my gear...food in one box, kitchen stuff in one box, packs, clothes, water bottles/filters, fishing gear, ropes and bungees, tarps, hammocks/tent, sleeping bags/quilts, camping "things", e.g. saws, knives, compasses, whistles, 1st Aid/Ditch kits, and canoe stuff, e.g. PFD, bailer, painters, etc. all in their own boxes. And a stuff sack full of stuff sacks!

We'll see how long that lasts!

Y'know...answering all these questions is pretty therapeutic. I'm feeling better and better about this trip with each passing moment...

Maybe I won't sell off all the gear after all.... ;)

Having solo centric gear and not going solo are not mutually exclusive. Lots of opportunities to put it to use!
Hey couldn't be that bad your talking about it!

butthead

A lot of that stuff sounds like my first solo - I had been sick a few months earlier, but went ahead with an ambitious plan for a first canoe solo. I had done plenty of solo hiking and camping, so that wasn't the same. I had some major weather/wind problems to deal with and the anxiety and stress coupled with the physical exertion, left me really tired. I was also not eating well and was probably dehydrated too, which left me feeling sick. I just crawled in the tent early afternoon and stayed there until next morning.

I still have to watch my hydration. Last fall Steve and I were both getting really tired the third day and I realized we were dehydrated. When we got to camp, I started drinking water and I drank A LOT before I went to the bathroom. So maybe you got a little dehydrated. . . ?

How did the fire making experiments go? The cooking?

I can relate to being excited about something that doesn't pan out as expected. Sums up my RAGBRAI experience, actually. It's cool that you did it, though.

I've got my first solo coming up, using the EP you suggested. While I'm hoping to stay for several days, I'm also set to bug out early if needed. We'll see how it goes.

quote jcavenagh: "

Another positive is that I learned that I am not a solo trip guy. Just because I did not enjoy being alone I still view the experience as a positive one. Also, I know that I can find and traverse some really primitive portages. I am sure my sore knee will heal up in a few weeks. ;)"

One thing solo canoeing has done for me is build a lot of confidence in my abilities.. As time goes on I think you will remember the accomplishment more than the negative feelings about the trip.

Also I like your honesty. One thing a solo allows you to do in depth is to be honest with yourself and learn more about yourself. You would think after 58 years you would know it all but that is just not true.

Yes, I was dehydrated, too. I noticed the dark yellow pee and started drinking a lot of water. I felt a little better then started to flag again after a another day. As I think more about it, I am pretty sure I had some sort of 24 hr bug that helped run me down more than I was already doing to myself.

Fire and cooking went well. I was happy about that. It did take me more strikes on the steel to catch a flame. But I learned that I needed to press harder, not strike faster.

As I get more removed from the trip, and I recover from the aches and pains, I don't feel bad about the trip. I did it. I learned quite a bit. I can't complain. Really, how many people are there just within 15 miles of my house who can't afford to even think about doing something like this? So, folks, please don't take my assessment of my trip as complaining. I tried it and I realize that I don't like being out alone. That's really the main take away. Actually, pretty much everything else on the trip went well.

So, a positive experience overall with a little bit of hard lesson learned thrown in.

Thanks for letting us know how it went and thanks for the firesteel info. You have confirmed your suspicions that you're not a loner, but learned that you can do it. That's a pretty valuable lesson. Good luck with your future trips. I like solos, but am not averse to trying a group solo for part of a trip if that ever works out. I enjoyed my trip last year with Steve.

OK. I think that just about wraps up this thread, eh?
Thanks everyone for all your help and comments.

I, too, had a similar first solo experience. I think the thread that I started upon my return was "Not meeting expectations". I had planned and planned and thought I had worked out all the details on what my trip was going to be. Well, needless to say, many of those expectations turned out to be a busts for various reasons.

I did not think that I was interested in going on another solo. Now a year later, I am again contemplating another trip. Will be interested to see if over time you too will have a change of heart on soloing and plan another trip.

OK, so a month after I got back I started planning to go back there...but this time with fellow paddlers.

quote jcavenagh: "OK, so a month after I got back I started planning to go back there...but this time with fellow paddlers."

+1. :)

quote napinch: "I did not think that I was interested in going on another solo. Now a year later, I am again contemplating another trip. "

my first solo was a meager 2 nighter on perent lake. I swore id never solo again after that one. years passed and many solos later, my best solo to date was my 150 mile plus hunter island loop done in 12 days, a trip I will never surpass.

that said, I doubt if I will solo again. I have nothing to "prove" to myself anymore...I love group solos now. im even kinda contemplating checking out the whole hiking thing, something new may provide a spark for me again.

I have been doing short hikes for the past few years. It is very nice to decide on a Saturday morning that I'm going and be at a campsite at 6.
Like many of us on this board, my pack is always just a few minutes from full and ready to go.
Also, for me down here in IL it is much easier and cheaper to jump on a trail and do a few miles. A canoe trip to anyplace that is much fun is a real endeavor.