Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Reports :: Trip Report - A Quetico Solo, August 2008
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TomT |
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UncleMoose |
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nolahlm |
Great report! |
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Irishstone |
Great work on a fantastic trip report. Very detailed. I especially liked all the map tracking. It is fun to see where someone has gone as well as reading about it. not to mention that the photos and video are simply amazing. Nice job! |
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lsvanderploeg |
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TomT |
'm thinking about stashing some sealed food like cliff bars and maybe oatmeal in a ground pack just in case and keeping it seperated from the main food. |
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Cedarboy |
CB |
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kanoes |
"we're not worthy! we're not worthy" and im serious. |
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UncleMoose |
Dennisal - I almost forgot. I hope your boss doesn't come hunt me down looking for those two lost days of productivity. |
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Dennisal |
I think you are safe as far as my boss is concerned. I can use the excuss that I was studying on how to train people on how to get things done when by yourself. |
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SunCatcher |
Never solo with a canoe, but did do a 23 day solo bicycle trip from Nebraska to Yellowstone and down to Estes Park, 1600 miles. I know the feeling of accomplishment and mind cleansing that takes place. Until you have done "something" solo you can't imagine. The best part is you can re-live about every step of the trip in your mind for YEARS, like it was yesterday. Congratulations!!! SunCatcher |
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UncleMoose |
- McEwen Creek (quiet and serenity) - Falls Chain (beauty and adventure) - Kawnipi Lake (achievement and discovery) - Cairn Lake (imposing and majestic) - Trant Lake (spirit and mystery) - Robinson Lake (solitude) If I had to choose a single favorite, it would be a close call between Kawnipi Lake and Robinson Lake, but I'd probably have to pick my time on Robinson Lake overall. This isn't necessarily because Robinson Lake itself is any more interesting than the other areas. It was just special to me on this particular trip. |
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Traveler |
Great story and photos. I loved reading about your trip. I do have a question. Your gear list indicates you took a SPOT but I don't recall reading anything about it. Were folks back home tracking your progress through that device? How did you like it? |
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monstersmallies |
Incredible journey and post. Thank you. |
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fishguts |
Thanks! wonderful! ....wonderful! |
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lilcowdoc |
You do realize, now, that are probably going to have to offer an online "Trip Report 101" for the rest of us?! |
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wahoojim1 |
I look forward to my first solo this summer. Your report made me even more excited; I didn't think that was possible. One question; what did you do with your food? Did you hang your food or just leave it at your dining area? Again, thanks. |
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UncleMoose |
I like TomT's idea of stashing two packs in separate areas, though (or hanging one). If a bear does get to one of them, you'd still have a good chance of having something left to help you get back out. Another thing I'm considering is to get some kind of noise maker (bells or something) that can be attached to the food pack. Then if a bear does get into it, at least I'd know and could maybe attempt to defend the food pack by throwing rocks, etc... |
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mwd1976 |
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mattmilleroutdoors |
Thank you for your time with putting soo much effort into this. as you can see others agree. Matt |
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lilcowdoc |
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Dennisal |
Any plans to put this in book form and sell it? Thanks. |
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moose plums |
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bdubber |
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UncleMoose |
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Woodbender |
I think we have a winner for solo report of the 2008 year. |
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rlhedlund |
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Dyl |
I read through a good portion of it and was amazed at the amount of detail and the photos. It is just too late to continue. I will have to pick it back up at work tomorrow. Nothing like getting paid to read something like this. |
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SunCatcher |
SunCatcher |
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UncleMoose |
I liked the canoe and its performance very much (kudos to Kanoes for bringing it to my attention). With that said, this is my first solo canoe, so I don't have enough experience with other solos to really make any useful comparisons. It took me about a day to get comfortable in it, but by the end of the trip, it almost felt like an extension of my body. In stiff winds, I sometimes found it challenging to keep straight, but that may be more typical of smaller solo crafts in general, I don't know. Also, in a perfect world, I would have opted for the Kevlar version, but the price I got on the factory second royalex was well worth the little extra weight. |
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Minnesotian |
How did you like the performance of your canoe? The essay "Silence" from the Singing Wilderness one of my favorite chapters out of that book. The other being when he ice skates with the northern lights. I really liked that you found that old picture as well as finding the spot and taking your own picture. One thing I appreciate greatly about your trip reports is the publication of your map route with the map. Someday I hope to go to the Q, and I will be referencing your route. Thank you. |
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Itchy Menace |
Your photography was excellent. I just got a Canon DSLR for Xmas and look forward to using it on trips and hopefully getting some good images. I'm still learning how to use it. Thanks again for sharing so detailed a report of your experience. In a way it was like being on the trip with you. |
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Mongo65 |
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haro1 |
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bapabear |
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Rambler_Dog |
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Canoealingus |
What a great trip! Was this your longest trip? |
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prettypaddle |
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UncleMoose |
Seriously, though. Thanks for all the nice comments, everybody. Also thanks to all the folks on this board who helped with advice for this newbie soloer. There's no way this trip would have gone so smoothly without your valuable guidance. Dennisal - I'd like to experiment with creating one of those publish-on-demand type photo books when I get some free time. You can get so much more photo resolution and detail in a printed format than you can on the web. If/when I ever get around to that, I'll let you all know, in case anyone's interested. Also, I've talked with Bo (QPassage), and I think he may use some of this content in an upcoming issue of Wilderness Passages. |
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UncleMoose |
I took 5 batteries for the point and shoot camera (video camera). You'll notice that I took a lot more videos the first few days. Then I had to cut way back after I realized I was burning through them too quickly. The cooking grate was just an inexpensive one I found at Sportsman's Warehouse, but it does the job. Wenonah Wilderness solo canoe (royalex) CVCA removable solo portage yoke Bending Branches Cruiser Plus (bent shaft, primary) Bending Branches Explorer Plus (straight shaft, backup) Crazy Creek canoe seat PFD Bailer and sponge Mesh anchor bag CCS Pioneer Pack CCS Deluxe Food Pack Kelty backpack (day pack) REI Half Dome 2HC tent REI 20 degree sleeping bag Exped Downmat 9 sleeping pad CCS Tundra Tarp 1/8" Polyester reflective tent cord Sawvivor Saw Gerber camp axe U-Dig-It Stainless-Steel Hand Shovel Leather gloves First aid/repair kit Fisher paper map set McKenzie paper map set Compass (2) Garmin 60CSx GPS Garmin TOPO Canada GPS map software SPOT Satellite Messenger MSR Whisperlite stove Pack Grill Steri-Pen water purifier MSR Miniworks ceramic water filter hand pump Nalgene bottles (2) Platypus water tank Coffee Mug, plastic Spoons (2) St. Croix 4-8 lb rod (jigging) St. Croix 8-17 lb rod (casting) Scotty rod holder Tackle kit Filet knife Canon PowerShot TX1 point and shoot/video Canon 40D DSLR Canon 24-105mm zoom lens Canon 16-35mm wide angle zoom lens Gitzo tripod Really Right Stuff ball head Joby Gorillapod |
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RoJoYo |
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TomT |
How many batteries were taken for the video camera? what did you use for a camera mount on the video when you were paddling? I saw a nice cooking grate in one pic. Do you like it and if so where did you get it? This report was really well done with all the links, video, and pics. I liked how you included when you slipped while filming on the trail too. I took the beginning of your route to Louisa Falls and remember those rocky portages. You don't see that stuff in the BWCA. Seeing your video makes me really look forward to getting back to Quetico full time starting next year. Thanks for taking the time to compile all this. Nice job! |
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lilcowdoc |
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kanoes |
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bear bait |
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UncleMoose |
The menu was notable for its total lack of variety. Pack weight was a major consideration, and I also needed to factor in camera gear. For me, food is lower priority on a trip like this. I'd rather eat light-weight dehydrated stuff and bring another camera lens instead. With that said, I brought enough of those dehydrated food packs for two meals a day. A third meal was usually a combination of Clif Bars, instant oatmeal, beef jerky, crackers and peanuts eaten throughout the day during paddling breaks (I brought lots of Clif Bars). Most of the dehydrated food was from Mary Jane's Farm, and the rest was Mountain House. The Mary Jane's Farm stuff packs very well. Most of the meals were things like chili-mac, lasagna, spaghetti, mashed potatoes, etc... Nothing special, just fuel. Even with that simple variety, the food pack was still very heavy at first (close to 90 lbs, if I remember correctly). Carrying that food pack over the Meadows Portages on that first day made me really question for a moment what I had gotten myself into. By the second half of the trip, though, I could really begin to tell the difference in weight, and it was no longer a problem. |
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UncleMoose |
The report was originally written in an HTML format (I'm trying to learn a few new things). A full HTML version of the report also exists on my own web site, complete with different sized versions of each photo and the video that I've encoded into Flash. This site's trip report feature allows you to use a certain amount of embedded HTML when writing the report (things like basic image tags and hyperlinks). I was able to combine these hyperlink and image tags to produce inline images that you can click on to get the bigger size version. It's a bit tedious, but I already had some of this work done for my personal web site's version. You are correct about Kawnipi. My paddle across Kawnipi was very uneventful (thankfully). There was a little wind, but all things considered, conditions were as good as I could have possibly hoped. I definitely lucked out that day, which is why I pressed to get to the other side of Kawnipi before making camp. I can definitely see how things could get very difficult out there. |
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peeruwp |
Thanks for the great read! |
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kanoes |
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wetcanoedog |
Firm Handshake--Pat On The Back!!!..the others have used up all the superlatives so i'll just say thanks for all the work not only on the computer at home but out on the canoe trail. i have made many solo trips thru Quetico and seeing many of my old camp thru someone else's eyes was a real treat. |
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mr.barley |
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dl |
My hat is off to you! You've reset the bar. Next time I follow this route, yours is the guide book. |
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TomT |
I'll read the end tomorrow. |
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bumabu |
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BigZig |
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benr0 |
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UncleMoose |
ktoivola - I'm hoping to get out on another solo later this year (maybe September), but it won't be this long of a trip. I'd like to check out the area west and north of the Kahshahpiwi chain in Quetico this time. |
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phisherman |
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Kiporby |
How do you import those videos and larger pictures into the trip report like that? Obviously it appears to be a different means than the "add photo" button. Your paddle across Kawnipi must have been fairly uneventful, meaning a lack of wind. Last time I was there it was very windy and difficult to get far. Thanks. |
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ChadLeo |
Thanks for taking the time to write and share that. The photography and accompanied video clips were outstanding. It makes me want to explore Quetico one day, thank you again! |
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Always Outdoors |
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UncleMoose |
But seriously, thanks. |
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Kiporby |
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kanoes |
thats one EPIC, INCREDIBLE, BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING trip and trip report. WOW! thank you! |
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Boppa |
Incredible - is an adjective that seems unused so far, an very appropriate to describe your trip report. A standard has been reset, an example provided for all trippers. I can't wait to read it again. Thanks, Boppa |
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snakecharmer |
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homerun23 |
Again, Awesome report! Can't wait for July |
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sterngirl |
What fun to read and see photos and video clips. Sounds like it was an amazing solo trip. Thanks for putting this together. |
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ktoivola |
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UncleMoose |
Trip Name: A Quetico Solo, August 2008. Entry Point: G Click Here to View Trip Report wc-20090401-1199 |
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Beemer01 |
Wonderful report, well written, some breath taking pictures and I love the inclusion of the video clips. Thanks for the many hours you spent on this - it was worth it. |