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.