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