Thinking about a first solo 5-7 days, any recommendations on packing?
will probably double portage.

OK, I'm still on a learning curve on this topic. Last year I used a Kondos #3 envelope style pack for my gear and placed the food and a few misc items in a Kondos Guidepack which I wore across my chest on portages.

The idea was to distribute the weight fore and aft in the canoe (center seat solo) - this resulted in double portaging.

This year I'm dramatically scaling down my gear and food. I found when soloing that I just need less food, and generally less stuff. A trial packing has found that my internal frame Gregory Lassen pack fits everything I need - my avowed goal is to pick up my pace by single portaging. I've afixed two side pockets, one for my new Jetboil and the other for the water filter and small stuff. Food will go into a sealed plastic container carried in the Pack. I'm also no longer keen on not being able to see my feet when on slippery or rocky portages.

I think I'll reduce my total load by 10-12 pounds.

Jetboil vs stove/fuel and pots, plate and pan. Save 3-4 lbs.
No hatchet Save 1 lb.
No ancient Nikon 35MM with lenses (using small digital)Save 5 lbs.
Lighter designed pack(s) Save 2-3 lbs.

Ounces add up to pounds.

Still not sure about weight distribution - may have to use a rock or something fore if I'm on big water.

Curious to see how others are doing this.

I have a Cooke Custom Sewing Pioneer pack for my clothes, sleeping bag, pad, tent etc you know the personal gear pack. In addition I have a large daypack that takes my cook kit, stove, fuel, utensils and bear barrel with food. I have a thwart bag with map attached and emergency supplies plus gorp or snack du jour. These are all my gear.

Load one is the Pioneer pack and thwart bag attached to the back of the pioneer pack.

Load two is the canoe with paddle securly attached inside the canoe and the day pack. This makes two easy to manage loads, neither being to difficult to manage and certainly gives me visibility to see my feet and the terrain in front of me.

Doing my first solo and here the plan for packing. Clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, food containers, cook kit, and other items of interest in my Duluth style envelope pack #4...

Daypack/backpack, holds ropes, stove, fuel, rain jacket, saw, etc... Under seat bags holds fishing equipment, rods and reels bungeed inside canoe.

Portaging: 1st trip - Duluth pack and depth finder, 2nd trip - backpack and canoe...

Bruce

All my packed gear for 4 days in Sylvania Oct. 2003.
Large pack is a Woods portage pack;
tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothes, etc.
Small pack is a generic daypack around 1500ci;
food, cooking gear, camera case.
I like to use 2 packs, large one behind me, small one in bow, to adjust the trim of the boat [pushing bags fore/aft as/when needed].
Small pack and boat for one trip, large pack on the second.

butthead

I am sorry for the long winded, but I have cut it down some.

It all depends on the level of comfort and distance of the route when it comes to main gear and extras. I think double portaging is the safest way to go (You're alone out there) Day trips from camp if you base camp a couple days are singles. As for packs, one large pack and a day pack. This year I am limiting some fishing gear, clothing changes and a possible sleeping bag alteration. My hope is one Granite Gear Solo, 4000 CI and thwart bags. We'll see about that. I take a 2 person tent, REI's, and a Cooke Custom Sewing tarp for shelter. I like the idea of staying out of the rain, but not living in my tent and the two person gives me space. Leave the hatchet behind. No need for that accident. Take a saw, eat out of your pot. Just remember, every ounce you take with you, you carry. Each time I get home I go over what I brought and come up with things I really didn't need. Have a great time. You'll love it.