[Paddlewise] Solo or Not?

Some of Doug Lloyd's adventures got me to thinking about the issue of solo
paddling.  Doug is a very ballsy guy who seeks out challenging conditions,
sometimes testing (or exceeding) his limits.  I do not aspire to Doug's
heights.  But, I do find myself sometimes out paddling solo in conditions
which test my meagre skills.

I think one of the reasons I am out there wishing I had somebody else along to
share the adventure (misery?) is:  I could not find anybody *suitable* to
paddle with me that day!  And, I wonder how common that is.

No, I did not say I could not find *anybody* to paddle with.  The problem for
me is that I know lots of folks who paddle but not many who fit the trips I
like.  Some are too chatty.  Some are too weak.  Others are posers who like to
talk a good game, but do not know their stuff.  And, there is a group which
"wants to go," but is never free of commitments.

Yeah, I know some of this might sound elitist, but I do not think it is a good
idea to embark on a paddling trip which is likely to overtask someone with
poor bracing skills or inadequate self-rescue ability.  Better to go alone.

So, I am wondering:  how often do others paddle solo, and why?

Here's my profile:

30 % solo

nobody suitable to go with

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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