What a great trip those guys had Tom T...I enjoyed that, thx!  I was on the Namakan 2 weeks earlier and indeed the river was low, as they learned, walking the last mile to the Namakan around Wawa.

nctry_Ben wrote on Dec 9^th, 2011 at 5:11pm:


I'm not sure of the extent of the damage.  Here's where I learned about it.  The guy has some amazing pics of the fire.  It's quite a trip report. (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

TomT wrote on Dec 9^th, 2011 at 4:51am:



Did the fire get those 300 yr old trees?

Nice video... Yeah, the third day is a better one for me too.

Like Pine Knot I like a day off now and then. My August solo I had several. I ended up paddling long distances and needed those days to recoupe. I was in the BW and it was usually because of full campsites I had to keep moving.

I went solo for 9 nights in the Q this past September.  I only saw other paddlers on my first and last days and it was fine.  I only fished during the 2 layover days I had.  When I traveled I preferred to have the reels packed and the rods in their sleeves. 

I kept a journal and took lots of pics.  466 to be exact.  I also brought a video camera and experimented with rigging it to a thwart and filming a portage.  I would not have the time to mess around with stuff like this if I was tandem.

I also spent about 15 minutes trying to shoot a water lily in a creek.  The breeze was moving the boat around on me but I was solo and in no hurry so I stayed there till I got a decent macro shot.  Stuff like this you just can't do with a group.

I do get lonely around camp as the sun goes down.  I found that when the sun was out and very low it gives some great light to photograph in.  So at that time I would just walk my site and shoreline and look for interesting things to photograph.  It was a creative outlet and kept me from being lonely.

This was my 5th solo and I enjoyed it the most.  I think I'm starting to get the hang of it now.  Here's a link to the portage video I made which will be in an upcoming trip report.  I could have done it better but hey, it was my first try.  Incidentally, in October a wildfire burned over this very portage.  It no longer looks like this I'm sure.  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Since I am still relatively "new" to solo tripping, I may not have it all figured out yet, but here is what I do differently:
I get up at 4:30 - 5 am almost always on a solo.  I may not get out of camp till 7 or as late as 8:30, but I am up.  I like to witness the sunrise, and the world "waking up".  I travel long day's,  ussually if leave camp at 7 am, don't quit till 7pm or later sometimes.  I like to "be on the move"  I will take a day and re-charge, but I really like being on the move, guess the good Lord wired me that way.  When I do rest, I love my hammock for that lazy, lay around stuff.  I love to fish in a group, but it isn't a deal breaker at ALL when soloing.  I like to just sit in camp and think, and watch the world around me.  Also, alone, I find my self paddling real slow sometimes, especially along granite walls, thinking I might find a picto, or just soaking in the glories of the world.  Something we do little of when tandem.  There is something "REALLY" special about being by yourself in a canoe in the wilderness.  The thing is, I can't say I ever felt alone.   I always feel safe, and confident, If I didn't think it would be that way, I more then likely wouldn't have gone solo in the first place?  I 2x every portage and sometimes 3x the short ones.  I have learned to slow down more and take LOTS of pictures, with electronic camera's what's the difference?  I love solo's, they are very good for the Soul.
SunCatcher

SunCatcher wrote on May 16^th, 2011 at 4:32pm:

I tried that once.  Got into a big fight.   

@preacher,

Heck with talking to tree's...I just talked to myself!
haahha

6 days for your first solo is pretty good.  How long before you started talking to the trees?   

All nice posts I read these because it is interesting information.
I have only done one solo.  Last year at WCPP.  I spent six days and enjoyed the heck out of it.
I was very organized.  Being organized when by yourself is key as know one else is around to help.
I was VERY careful.  Because, ever step is calculated and thought out.
This was mentioned before, but is true, as you never want to be hurt alone, as it may be sometime before help arises.  I took a Sat Phone.
So I felt that I could have communication if needed.
I Start earlier when by myself, I set up camp earlier also, as it seems there is no help around (haha)  I journal when by myself but not so much when in a group, I read the bible as I really enjoy that in the outdoors, and it is such a quite place to do it. (no distractions)
I think about life a lot when by myself.

SunCatcher

pine_knot wrote on Apr 25^th, 2011 at 11:22pm:

Or extend the trip while you heal up & hope to encounter some help from other trippers.  This is why checking in asap once you're back at the car is important.  Not just for the worries of those at home, but for your own safety.