I only did the separate travel option once. I knew the guys were capable of traveling on their own, but one was painfully slow, in everything he does. How can a guy that's so nice drive me nuts?? Look up "passive aggressive" behavior.
They were very easy days, Batch Bay - Jesse, Jesse - Walter, Walter - Lonely. I made sure they knew the campsites I was heading for and gave them all the maps, he loves maps. I used a GPS and had been there before. I even let them start off ahead of me each day while I did some paperwork in the bush. Still I ended up well ahead of them.

The guys used a very fast tandem, 18' Sundowner, and I had my Voyager. Upside was it helped me to decide to rent a Minn III for a later trip I was doing with 2 gals. That worked great too, except I'd rent a Minn IV and remove a seat next time.

After the two trips last fall I was left with one simple impression. "Guys are stronger, but gals are tougher"

Hey Starwatcher, I'm with you.  I tried soloing, but after a few trips decided it wasn't for me, even with my dog Puck.  I sold my Bell Merlin II, and got over it.   Even though getting a group together can be a hassle, I enjoy the company. 


prouboy

Quote:


I look at this a little bit differently. If your talking someone who's fit vs a couch spud then the odds are the fit person will prevail.
Assuming everyone is fit enough to undertake a trip, then the mentally tough will prevail long after the physically stronger but mentally weaker throw in the towel.
Look at the elite Navy Seals. Everyone that enters training is the fittest of the fittest in their respective services. 1 in 100 make it thru the training. The difference is mental toughness, the will to persevere.
Your mind leads, your body follows.

I've taken enough mixed workout classes to know that while women may initially "whine" more than men, once they get their minds "right", they find that their not really the "weaker" sex and guys find out that muscle without resolve doesn't take you very far.

Puckster wrote on Apr 24^th, 2013 at 12:08am:


I haven't totally given up on trying a solo trip.  I go on an annual fall trip with a great group of friends, but now that I live closer I may try a trip one day.  I have a Souris River Quetico Duralite with a removable middle seat that I believe would work as a solo canoe.  Maybe one day I'll give it a try.

I'm reading "One Man's Wilderness" about Dick Proenneke homesteading on a lake in the Alaskan wilderness and can't imagine living alone for thirty years in the wilderness. Like I say, I enjoy the group experience.

starwatcher

We get a little spread out at times when travelling, but in general we stick together when I go with the usual suspects.

Layover days its every canoe for themselves if that's what people want.  We all know how to navigate and where camp is.  Dinner is served at dusk.  Be there if you want some.