There have been a number of posts in the past year or so from people with little or no solo wilderness canoeing experience asking for advice on traveling solo. Most threads have focused on choosing a solo canoe or on deciding between a solo boat and a backwards tandem. But I haven't seen much on any other aspects of the trip, other than Solotripper's advice in the current "Northwest Route" thread.

Since there is so much solo experience on these boards, I'd like to ask what people do differently on a solo trip compared to a tandem or multiperson expedition. Route planning? Meals? Contingency planning? Mental aspects? Other?

Solotripper mentioned the extra physical demands a solo canoeist has to deal with: you have to do all the portaging, cooking, camp setup, etc. Do any of you have a rule of thumb for how much distance you can usually cover solo compared to tandem with an equally strong partner?

Last month there was a discussion of the   (You need to Login or Register  Many of our solo paddlers contributed thoughts to that thread.  However, some notable exceptions include Intrepid Camper, MagicPaddler and pineknot. (I'm sure I'm leaving out a whole host of others that don't come to mind at this hour.)

As far as your distance question, I think ST indicated 10-12 miles per travel day.  I'd say that distance is an approximate average of the different legs I plan for a trip.  My general tendency is to travel for a day or two and then do a layover day.  Having the layover days provides plenty of opportunity to fish/explore and puts "slack" into your schedule in the event of weather delays.  I also carefully inspect my route and make mental notes of where bail-out options are should I get into trouble along the way.  I do carry a SPOT unit for those worst case scenarios.  But clearly, distance of travel is somewhat related to time of year you are traveling.  Early or late, you'll probably have to stop to make camp in the 4:00 - 5:00 pm window.  You can easily get a couple of extra hours of paddling in during mid-summer.  So, getting 16 or more miles in in one day is not out of the question.  But, as I get older, I get much less focused on distance and spend more time watching the scenery roll by.

ST also suggested that your days are comparatively full ... you do all of the camp chores.  You might also find that you travel a tad heavier since there is no one else to share/split the load with.  But that could balance out ... I don't carry extra dishes and pots when I go solo since I tend to eat directly from the pot used for cooking.  However, since I tend to cook mostly on a stove, I'll often take a backup (something comparatively small and light.)

As for other differences, I'll be a bit more careful of my actions on a variety of levels.  Being injured and being alone is the outcome I make effort to avoid.  Also, if you are on the water in difficult conditions, in most cases self-rescue is the only choice you are going to have.

I've heard some say that they are uncomfortable being alone and/or sleeping when there is no one else around.  I've always been comfortable in the woods and being alone has never really been a problem for me.  I've seen both bears and wolves on trips ... never had a problem with either.  The only issue I've ever had is a moose stumbling through camp and hanging an antler on the corner of my tarp.

But the bottom line is:  You travel when you want, you stay put when you want.  You get up when you want, you go to bed when you want.  If you want to travel this way as opposed to that, you get to make the call.  If you want to eat breakfast for dinner (or vice versa), do it!  So, you might call it ultimate freedom to do as you please.

dd

Here's something a little bit different..........

My first true solo "camping trip" was not a canoe trip but a backpacking trip to Isle Royale. When I got off the boat they handed me a one page "survey" and a teeny pencil.

Almost immediately I felt a desire to express myself and did so using the survey. People marvel when they see a weeks worth of journaling in teeny tiny print on both sides of the survey in between the questions they had posed.

From that point on the journaling has become an important part of every trip.......solo or group. The writings have become a treasure to me as they allow me to re-live the trip in infinitely more detail than otherwise. The word cues allow me to retrieve memories that would of otherwise been lost.

I find it fun to do as well. It's like you are writing a story and are waiting for the days events to unfold and then you are able to acquire the flavor of the particular events and put them to paper. If not in a hurry that morning and want that extra cup of coffee out comes the pen. Sometimes it might be in the evening especially if I have a bobber out but always at night in the tent with the headlamp I will be jotting away. Add a few pics and the keepsake is irreplaceable. Every couple of years I will go back through a trip and it gets me excited for the next one.

Try journaling on your next solo [smiley=thumbup.gif].

I don't do anything differently solo than tandem, except maybe pick more adventurous harder/longer routes solo, since it's only me I have to convince I want to do that, and its easier to arrange.  I don't cary a spot or PLB or anything else, either solo or tandem - I guess I'm likely to fish more on a tandem trip though.  Typically, I plan on 15 to 20 mile travel days depending on the number of portages involved

in either case, I'm packing as light as I can, and travel most days - maybe one or two layover days out of 10 or 12

there have been many many threads on the topic - instead of doing a "search", just scroll backwards thru the thread index/list

What's different?

My batteries get recharged more completely, there is less concern in regard to others and their trip, all the points made above,... Boiled down me time, something that clarifies the butter so to speak. A difference that is just different, no better, no worse; but is enriching none the less. And I do it because I can, need to, and because it is something gives me a different more independent solace.

Solo I like to cover 10-15km/day.  Tandem I prefer 15-20.  I'm in no rush, not racing, it's vacation.  I can exhaust myself by going for a paddle after camp is set if I want to.

Essentially it's all about being aware that you're alone and planning accordingly type common sense.

Plan for shorter distances or longer days more delays.  Since the weather is usually calmer in the morning/evening, if I have a long day (>15km) planned I get up before the sun and am on the water while it's still misty & calm.

Portages slow me more than anything.  I gotta carry everything & I 2-trip so every portage is triple the distance.  2km becomes 6km.

Make camp early.  Paddling until sunset is fine if you only have to do half the work or less of making camp, firewood, dinner, food hang...

Judgement on the side of caution.  Almost any concern is enough to have me stay safe.

Be smart, be aware.  Don't swing an axe at your own foot.  Keep hands behind blades & cut away, not toward.  Douse fires completely when not attended.  Keep your kit tight, if it's not in use it's put away.

Mentally, well the best part is that you have nobody to disapoint if you decided to bug-out early.  For me there used to be a Day Three Hump to get over.  Now it's a Day Seven Hump.  Pushing past the hump, whenever you experience it, is totally worth it.

All good stuff.
As you can see like anything else, we solo enthusiasts are all over the board on mileage traveled/ gear choices and comfort levels we want.
M_M_, along with KF are probably the hardest chargers among the solo paddlers here. Their both are in excellent shape and from what I can tell pick their routes and daily mileage goals as much for the physical challenge as anything else.
I'd say most of us are closer to what dd describes. Sort of in the middle of the road as far as daily mileage goals.
Personally I've had hard physically demanding jobs my entire adult life.
I've put in the 12-14 hour days, laying concrete etc. Can I still go hard and long, yes, but at this stage of my life, I don't see the need or have the desire too.
If I committed to a trip with others and the goal was hard and far, I wouldn't sign on, unless I knew I wouldn't hold anyone back.
Like I tell the kids at work, " You drive the stagecoach, I'll ride shotgun" ;) So far they haven't pushed me harder than I can handle.

The two biggest things at least to me are  being mentally tough, which I think is critical when traveling solo, and as dd alluded too, being safe while your out there.
I subscribe to the old carpenters rule, " Measure twice, cut once". THINK before you do something. Ask yourself, " IF the worst happens, what will I do? If you can't answer that, you should re-think your plan until you can.
The trip reports are full of humorous accounts of group trips where someone took a dunking/fell/injured themselves not critically but enough the others had to carry their load.
Many of these humorous group moments wouldn't be so funny in a solo trip :'(  A minor or even major mis-shape in a group, could be life threatening while solo.
Not trying to scare anyone contemplating a solo trip or solo paddlers who want to go for an extended length of time.
But if your a person who just takes things as they come, doesn't plan or think ahead, then the rewards of going solo might be overshadowed by finding your in over your head with nowhere to turn.
If you've ever been in a group and been temporarily " confused" about where you were, and felt that momentary twinge of panic at the thought of being lost, only to have the group experience bring you back to security, you can imagine the same feeling if you all alone and not prepared for it ;)

It's very interesting to hear about everyone's varied experiences going solo. My experiences are different than some who've already posted here.
First off I found that I was able to easily travel farther and faster when I was solo than when I was tandem. There are a few reasons for this. First off I travelled relatively light but double portaged with one large pack and a smaller one that I carried with the canoe. I was more organized than any tandem group I’ve ever been with so I generally landed at a portage and was on the move within seconds. Lunch breaks were generally short and functional. I tended to travel later in the day. I did not want to be in camp with little to do. I just wanted to camp with enough time to take care of chores and then hit the sack at dark, rise at first light, pack up and go again. Since almost any camp will do for a solo traveler there is little danger in waiting till the end of the day to find a spot (in Quetico). I also found that I fished far less as a solo paddler. Once a fish or two for a meal were caught I quickly lost interest in fishing. These days most of my thrills in fishing are when I can do it with others not alone.
To determine whether you personally will travel faster or slower as a solo consider: When you travel with a tandem or larger group, are you the one who always seems to be waiting for others to be ready to go? Or are you the one who is always ready to leave, eat, fish or portage last? Do you like to sleep in? Are you the one who does more than your share of chores around camp? Do you lack confidence with some camping/canoeing skills? Do you get distracted easily or are you focused on a destination or goal? Consider all of these things in order to determine if you will actually travel faster or slower than a group.
During my first solo I was shocked at how fast I was able to travel so I spent considerable time examining why this was so. Remember you will have to do all of the chores yourself BUT you will also not be interrupted during execution of those chores by someone who needs help or tutoring to do their own work. There is also no conversation to distract you from doing those same chores. There will be no discussion about how to set up a tarp, or where is the best tent pad or what to eat for dinner, or where to hang/hide the food pack. Get the idea?
Really, your personal style will become apparent during your first solo and you may be surprised to find out just what kind of a traveler you are. Whatever style that is let it flourish, that’s why you’re out there alone.

I soloed a bit when I was in my twenties and found it was pretty neat as I usually ended up taking groups out in the BW. I didn't have any takers on going into Canada so I just went alone paddling my little tandem 65# canoe. Now thirty years later I have a deeper appreciation for the solo trips. I do more reading and writing on solo trips and even fishing. I do have less fires as that is a lot of monkey business sometimes when your pushing yourself for a couple days. You appreciate them more when you can kick back and enjoy them. I do like to get to campsites earlier than later just to get a feel for my surroundings for the night. I like to have a handle on where I'm going to go if I have to out in the night... which is rare. Then a good morning exit is the key to making any good time out there... But I still like my morning coffee. So I usually don't get on the water til 8 or so... Late to some, but I like some time in the morning to enjoy my surroundings and like I said... Coffee! Never have time to feel lonely out there... More like ALIVE!  

Well said Ben!
I like going with small groups but prefer the solo trips.  Mostly I like not having to wait, give orders or lessons, be social when I don't feel like it or get up early and rush through breakfast faster than I want to.  The fellows who've already weighed in have said exactly what I might have.
I get out of camp around 9:00 am, travel at a steady but not fast pace all day, pack lunch items and snacks within easy reach and munch as I go and don't stop for lunch, quit between 4: and 6:00 leaving plenty of time to do all my chores before the bugs come out at dusk.  I also keep a journal and enjoy reading and re-living my trips over the winter.  I often take a book along but usually don't get around to reading any of it.
Regarding food, I try to pack just what I will eat or sometimes take a small food storage container with a good cover so I can save the leftovers for part of next day's meal.  Most packaged mixes or meals are too big for one serving so I divide them at home and repackage with a note about cooking directions.
About the only down side I've read about others solo experiences was that they got tired of their own company and wished there was someone else to talk to.  It is nice to have others to share the good times with and keep you company through the trying times that might discourage you.  I also agree there are sometimes days you wonder why you are "out there" but also agree the next day is a whole new story and the "downer" feelings are quickly forgotten.  IC

I completely agree with the points that have been brought up. I enjoy group and solo trips but solo journeys are my favorite. I enjoy writing a journal but find it very hard to do on a group trip. I think that is because there is just too much going on to stop and write. On a solo trip I can pause anytime and record what is going on around me. If I wait until camp is taken care of a lot of what took place is lost.

The safety aspect of solo tripping can't be visited enough. If I am reading someones journal and they mention jumping it makes me cringe. Every step has to be  thought out and performed properly. Thinking things through and making the right decision is the only way to avoid needless injuries.

The freedom of a solo trip is what draws me to them. A fantastic lake and awesome campspot is happened upon at 11:00, I have the freedom and I am stopping for the day. Another day and I am in the mood for paddling, I have the freedom to push on and on.

I am reading this topic with more interest than I had last year.  Last fall, I bought a new Bell Merlin II because I decided to try going solo and for the years where we have an odd number.   Depending on work and family issues, I hope to try for some early season lake trout in Beaverhouse for maybe a 4 day trip.  So in a week or two depending on the ice and weather, I hope to get my first solo experience.  Unlike others, I will base camp and concentrate on fishing.  I will take a double bladed paddle and a bent shaft and see which I prefer.  My biggest concern is that I will get bored with my company.  I've been told many that I am a bore so I will have to test that allegation.

Westwood

Ditto KF's post.
For me long distances each day aren't because I want to prove something, it just works out that way somedays. Fun to keep moving instead of sitting in camp.

Love to fish, but do less soloing. Catch one and it's like "Yes there's Walleye here".

I do much more exploring solo.

My initial concerns vs. the reality of it

"I'll get bored".  There is always much to do about the buisness of staying alive, fed and dry.  It's a rare solo day when I was actualy bored.

"I'll get lonely".  Yup I do.  But it has a value all it's own.  Some deep introspection can be had over 5 days of solitude.

"It's dangerous".  Yes, to a certain extent it is.  After you survive your first bad mistake alone....you will be forever impressed to "never do that again".  Most of my mistakes are water crossings related to weather.  Shipping water and a mile from shore on my 1st solo....that was all I needed in cold water to become a bit more savy.

"Bears".  Who cares.  I'm so tired by nightfall that I can share with a bear.  Just so it leaves me alone.


Now after several trips....the biggest concern to me seems to be personal injury/health crisis.  Couple trips ago I slipped down rock ledge 10' to the water.  Was almost certain I'd busted my ankle.  Instantly the thoughts started about how I'd exit with a bum leg.  After the pain subsided 10 minutes later...turned out just to be a bad sprain and I gimped on.

I have met folks who've had heart attack and stroke back in there.  And I always fear something like a kidney stone or appendicitis happening.  Some of these things....you just gotta figure you'll die back there.

wally wrote on Apr 22^nd, 2011 at 5:11pm:

Most of my mistakes are water crossings related to weather.  Shipping water and a mile from shore on my 1st solo....that was all I needed in cold water to become a bit more savy.

What were you thinking Wally? It's a good thing your telling me this over the net and not in person otherwise I'd have to smack you around a little bit and knock some sense into you instead of just speak sternly.  >:( You want to tell me why it was so important to cut that big bay?

(I'm only rough on those folk I like........sorta strange  :-?)

Careful MT you don't want to hurt Mr Bib's sensitive feelings.

Did my first solo in 08 after several group trips.  I was instantly hooked, for many of the reasons cited above.  Did a trip with a partner after that, and it was fun, but not the same.

Never got bored, never felt lonely.  Filled my non-fishing time with camp chores, swimming (stayed very clean on the solo trip for some reason!) photography, plant/wildlife observation, climbing up to see the view, journal recording and plenty of quiet contemplation. Always had more things to do than time to do them, but never felt rushed, except on the one open water risk I took (a la wally's story).

I'm heading in from Ely in a few weeks myself, and another partner is making noises about going along.  I'll be delighted if he does, but equally delighted to have another opportunity for a solo trip.

I figure if I can't handle the competition I shouldn't be out there.

My approach has changed very little over the years. On how far you go, that's entirely up to you and where you wanna be. That's the beauty part. There's no need to push any buttons but your own. You simply get to enjoy what's pulling you.

The way I look at it is the more people I travel with, the harder traveling is. It takes longer to do anything when no one want's to make a decision or someone doesn't agree with one that's been made. Plus everyone's progress is limited by the lowest common denominator in deference to group harmony.

90% of my solos have included all the same gear I took with bow paddlers minus their personal stuff. Last two years I've gone with a two man tent instead of my usual four-season three man and borrowed solo boats. Much easier. I'm getting old. Still learning though.

While I cringe a bit when I hear someone does a solo because, what, basically they don't have any like-minded friends, they seem to have become much more common. FWIW - I didn't even make a reservation for my first solo because I dreaded the alt group leader question and was afraid they'd say no, you're an idiot, go back where you belong boy.

I was embarrassed to meet people on portages, still am but for a far different reason. I practiced on group trips, asking the bow paddler to read a book, did day trips by myself ... I was fully prepared and even then I did the same route I did a number of times before so my first solo ended up being boring because I was too afraid I'd mess up. Next year my solo was the route that I wanted to do as a group but we all decided was too far. It poured one day and snowed the next. I was woefully unprepared and almost lost my ride but had great trip! Had I been able to convince any friends to go with - it would have miserable for everyone involved.

Now that I think about it, the trip before my first solo was with my girlfriends kid. All I needed was ballast ... yet that kid was one of best bow paddlers ever in that he never uttered a whiney word and we had some of the worst weather imaginable.

Being alone and being lonely are two completely different things a few days in. I am certainly more careful solo but really, two people in one canoe is in many way's doubling the chances of something bad happening IMHO. I know parents that won't fly in the same plane together due to their assessment of risk. What a PITA they are to go anywhere with.

BTW - the little used "Rendezvous forum" is intended for paddlers with no good partner options to arrange trips together. The group solo thing is another good way to check the ice before venturing out alone.

If you don't know what you're doing and even if you do, hey, be careful out there.

marlin55388 wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2011 at 11:10pm:

Careful MT you don't want to hurt Mr Bib's sensitive feelings.

Well I was certainly hoping to at least get a rise out of him.  ;)
I'm a bit rusty and I would have to blow some dust off my pads but sometimes it can be fun tangling with the big boys.

(of course as the old saying goes......."Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it"  ;D ).

db wrote on Apr 24^th, 2011 at 5:01am:

I know parents that won't fly in the same plane together due to their assessment of risk.

  ;D ;D ;D

It's only the safest way to travel.  What do they do for groceries, take different cars?  Let me guess, when they go for a romantic walk around the block they head off in opposite directions.


Quote:

I am certainly more careful solo but really, two people in one canoe is in many ways doubling the chances of something bad happening IMHO.

The corollary being that it doubles the chances of something bad not happening too.  Doubles the chance of something good happening.


Yes soloing is inherently more dangerous.  That's a meaningless statement.  How dangerous?  Out of the thousands of trip nights I'm aware of across all the people I know who trip I've only heard of a handful of serious injuries.  It's not as safe as flying, but safer than driving.

db wrote on Apr 24^th, 2011 at 5:01am:

... yet that kid was one of best bow paddlers ever in that he never uttered a whiney word and we had some of the worst weather imaginable.

that is huge

As usual, very interesting and diverse comments from fellow soloists.  Safety is always of paramount concern, especially on the difficult, rocky, steep, slippery portages with heavy pack and/or canoe.  A blown out knee, ankle or back could end the trip pretty quickly.  As for gear, I take the same as when I’m paddling with my teenage boys, minus their personal stuff, downsizing from a 3-man tent to a 2-man tent, and bringing one less pot and eating utensils.  I bring a lot less food (they are teenagers after all).  Then again, without the boys as my pack mules, I find portaging is quite a bit more physically taxing, especially with the main packs.  I usually carry the canoe, paddles, rods, etc with the boys or without so no big deal there.  And I can't wait for the day I actually solo with a real solo canoe and not a tandem.

Unlike what appears the majority, I like layover days during solos.  I typically travel a day or two and then spend an extra day or two at a nice campsite on a lake or area I’d like to fish or explore.  I really look forward to evening fires, so a couple hours hauling, cutting and splitting wood is food for my soul.  Loneliness has never been an issue to date.   I’ve spent several days at a time without seeing another paddler, and never thought that it’d be nice to finally see someone….if anything, it brought the wilderness to an even higher level—everything felt more acute—the inspiration, awe, and pleasure that you just don’t get when someone else is around you.  Of course, if the weather’s been rotten for more than a couple straight days, the inspiration, awe and pleasure would be pretty far from my mind and it might actually be better to have someone with which to share that misery.  That and paddling into stiff winds for hours on end alone...the words that come to mind is...it sucks big time.

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

A blown out knee, ankle or back could end the trip pretty quickly.

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.

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

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

@preacher,

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

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

@preacher, Heck with talking to tree's...I just talked to myself! haahha :)

I tried that once.  Got into a big fight.   :D

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 :D

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

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

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

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.

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

Did the fire get those 300 yr old trees?

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

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.