Here is the deal. I now have two permits one for 7/10 and one for 8/1 and my paddling partners have all come up with terrific excuses for backing out. Usually I have at least one friend left who's game, but it looks like this year I might have to go solo if I want to go at all. I have made numerous trips to the BWCA in groups. I still have much to learn, but my first Aid and wilderness survival skills are probably up to the task.

I'll have to lighten my load and borrow a smaller tent, but I am really exploring this option. I'd rather work a lil harder and face some solitude than miss out on my annual trip to the BWCA. I don't really like people that much anyways (Not what you usually hear from a teacher, but its a pretty true joke)

So lay it on me and give me your words of wisdom if you have made the solo trip. What are necessities and what are things to leave behind.

Also, if anyone has any advice about calming their spouse when they go on a solo I would appreciate that too. My wife shot me a look when I told her I might go myself.

I look forward to everyones comments.

don't cancel. start planning/packing-plenty of guys on the board with solo experience that will chime in. with your permit dates, there will likely be plenty of other paddlers around your area-at least that's what you can tell your wife. contact numbers and trip itinerary were covered in a thread not too long ago, so you might scroll or search for that, or just rent a sat phone.

Gear - take very little.

Food - Take very little, I find it interesting how little I eat when soloing. Just packed for next week's trip - several pounds worth - oatmeal - granola bars - raman noodles - some precooked bacon and a few eggs. Fantastic weight loss opportunity.

Keep moving and don't be surprised of you find yourself very chatty when you meet someone on a portage.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention that I was thinking about picking up a used canoe from an outfitter. One of the mad river 16's I think it was. Would I be nuts to try and solo in one of these? Just curious about anyones thoughts. If I go by myself I am thinking it would be better to spend the rental money on a canoe.

I think I'd need a center seat if I went alone? or could I pack all my gear in the bow and still paddle stern? Ok I am coming up with a ton of questions now.

I am really thinking about going though. I can't miss a summer in the BWCA.

Thanks for all the comments. I am certainly thinking of packing light, and I always leave a good itinerary with my wife that has all the local numbers. Not that they would really do much good for me if something happened, but it does seem to make the wife feel better.

Canoes - The best answer is to try several with a load and see what you like.

Heres a few rambling thoughts. For me, thoughts of safety would cross my mind frequently and I must confess I got a bit lonely at times. I would do it all over again though. I rented a solo kevlar and would do that again. You don't want to have to risk carrying any extra stuff/weight over portage since there will be no one around to help you carry things if you injure yourself. I ended up fishing A LOT. When I wasn't fishing I was reading.

Plan on double portaging. One pack should be like a #3 size that you fit most stuff in. The other should be a small daypack for your food pack. If you want to take the MR 16 go ahead. You have no one to keep up with. Flip the canoe around and paddle backwards from the front seat. It moves you closer to the center.

Portage the food pack and canoe. Go back for the #3.

Go as light as you can. Small tent. Lightweight sleeping bag. Small tarp.

If you go with dehydrated food, you can get by with a tea kettle and spoon. Personally I have a stainless steel mess kit (small pot, plate/bowl, frypan); a spoon; and a cup. Instant oatmeal and coffee for breakfast , cold lunch, and one-pot meal for dinner. You may not even want to deal with heating water for breakfast and opt instead for granola bars and Crystal Light.

I do like to take a book and a fishing pole for entertainment.

You may find that you eat less, eat more simply, and travel longer.

Be very, very careful! Watch your footing. Be meticulous.

It OK to talk to yourself, but when you start telling yourself jokes you haven't heard before, it's time to come out.

Good job on deciding to go either way. Why should someone else's excuses keep you from doing something you like?(OK, if you find nobody to play tennis, that'd be a bit tough. but this you can do)

I'd say be a bit less ambitious in your "distance travelled" plans.
Both for safety (you can tell the wife you're being "sensible, not overly ambitious in your plans).

Also, you might have a little less idle time since you won't be splitting up chores with anyone, and firewood collecting, setting up camp, cooking, cleaning fish, washing dishes, firestarting etc. etc. will all fall on your shoulders.

The reassurance that other paddlers will be passing through is a good one for the spouse. Downplay the "solitude" aspect until you've returned.

Never even thought about turning the canoe around and paddling backwards...Ha great idea. It works out well that after last years trip I invested insome lighter weight gear. I bought a jet boil. lighter summer sleeping bags and some other small items. I'm thinking about bringing all dry food instead of some of the frozen stuff I usually bring for the first couple of days. Should keep the weight down and thats alright by me.

I'm in no hurry and I like the BWCA for the slower pace, solitude and chance to recharge my batteries. I like being alone, so I will have lots of time to read and when i get bored fishing I won't have to worry about ruining someone elses trip. sounds peachy to me...

Thanks for the encouragement. I still have nearly a week before I leave 7/10 so if anyone has any additional ideas I'd be happy to hear them.

What's your EP? I'll be heading in on 7/8 from Moose Lake over thru Ensign, Vera, Kek and back thru Knife on a solo trip.

I'm headed in on the Grand Marais side....E. Bearskin #64.

I have a friend with a cabin near this area.

How long are you going in for?

4.5 days - 50 miles or so, so a manageable distance - lots of portages! I'm packed and the total weight of my kit is 50 pounds including food and fishing gear.

I learned to pack light for solos the hard way -

East Bearskin used to be one of my favorite entry points, but over the last 15 years it seems that this area has become quite crowded. Part of it is that I don't think you are ever more than two or three portages from an entry point. Since it is a fairly confined and limited area consider doing a base camp. Go in two or three portages, try to find a nice campsite and make it your base. From there you can explore the entire area easily with day trips. If you pack up camp, you stand a very real chance of not finding another site or traveling much longer and in directions you didn't want to go to find one.

Make for Little Caribou. Maybe you'll get lucky and find the campsite open.

Yeah I know E. bearskin doesn't offer the greatest opportunities for going deep, but I think it has a lot less pressure than the numbered lakes and, I have friends with a cabin up that way.

Little Caribou looks like a nice lil lake and its close to johnson falls.

Anything special I should know about that lake? Email me if you don't care to share on the boards. irishstone@yahoo.com and you can fill me in.

Thanks again for all the advice...I'm getting excited. I just need to get a few books to read and some tackle for my fishing.

Should be fun!

Maybee this is insane but how about finding a partner on the board, do a group solo I' d volonteer but no vaca due to dang pesky wedding and honeymoon in Hawaii I had a partner get a military deployment and ended up padling with a freinds reletive who I met at 2am the night before. I was worried to say the least but it really was alot of fun and turned out great.

Not really too sure if anyone would want to go into the BWCA with me? I like to take a laid back approach and do some lounging around. Base camp mostly, although I have taken some fun loops. But who knows my entry is only days away maybe someone would be crazy enough for that. Just not sure that it would work!?

Go it alone if ya' hafta', but if somebody wants to join you, I'd give it a shot (unless the solo trip sounds like what you want to do).