Re: [Paddlewise] Solo or Not?

Doug Lloyd wrote:

> I'd love to paddle Dave Kruger, though. He sounds like a mature, thoughtful
> guy, epitomizing the consummate, careful paddler. And that's the advantage
> of not always going solo -- some good stuff might rub off on you from the
> other person!

That's very gracious of you, Doug.  Doug's observations are thoughtful, as
have been those of many other respondents to this thread.  Doug's post struck
two responsive chords with me:

One:
> Its funny you know, but I sometimes think the safest, most skilled paddlers
> are those who know their limits and stay well within them. They usually
> display excellent judgement, have really good common sense, and don't spend
> time solo paddling until they have a variety of experience and gained
> important understanding by paddling with more experienced friends. [snip]

In my case, when I was in the novice phase, there was no one else to go with,
so I had to go alone, anyway.  I bet that is the case for many others, also. 
And (giggle), I'm not going to reveal all the monumental foul-ups I made out
there when no one was watching!  Another advantage of solo paddling:  no
audience!

A corollary aspect of solo paddling is that I am more focused on my
surroundings, more acutely aware of nuances which escape me when with others. 
It is a much more intense experience, as others have already observed. 
Another paddler is distracting, even though the companionship is rewarding in
a different way.  I am too gregarious to embark on multi-day trips alone,
however.  When Haley [forget her last name; lady who just completed a circuit
of Vancouver Island] dropped by my west coast campsite, it struck me that she
must have been suffering attacks of lonesomeness, because she prattled on at
length.  I'd go nuts after four or five days of not talking to another human!

Two:
> it was the fact that we *were* a group, that we even
> attempted the crossing. I'm not sure any one of us would have contemplated
> crossing on our own. Andrew certainly let himself get talked into it. When
> Andrew was asked what he most learned from the rescue, he said, "next time,
> I'll go solo".

Ah, the deadly dynamics of ego!  Know this well.  Nobody wanted to be the
wimp!  I think this connects with Doug's first point.  When I am alone, I know
it is *completely* my responsibility to judge conditions, so there is no
dodging the duty!  When I am with paddlers of my ability (or stronger), I do
the same damn thing Doug describes -- I "go with the flow" and sometimes get
swept up in the hubris of the moment.  Been in trouble several times because
of this.  Almost always wish I had used my own judgement, instead of
"groupthink."

So, is solo paddling *safer* ... sometimes?

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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