Re: [Paddlewise] Wilderness and solo

I have found that traveling solo gives me time to be
introspective so the trip is as much inward as outward.  I
am able to go at whatever pace I need and spend as much time
as I want watching birds, insects, etc.  Instead of talking
about it to my friends, I keep a journal so these trips can
relieved over and over without loss of details.

I also go into the wilderness solo to experience the
euphoria on the other side of fear.  My longest solo trip
was in the Quetico, coming in through Sue Falls, and lasting
8 days.  My biggest fear was getting lost, closely followed
by getting injured.  I was in my early 50's at the time.

I used the Fisher maps, and ended up having a marvelous
time.  I particularly like getting to paddle really early,
so I get to see more wildlife.  I heard beavers "talking "
in their lodges and even heard one draw a breath after
diving into his lodge. I got to spend time just sitting and
admiring osprey and eagles, and even insects.  I met some
really nice people and had some hellacious portages.  One
was so muddy and rocky and steep that I did parts of it 5
times.  (Usually I had to just do 3- 2 over and one back.

Navigation has always been easy - just pilot.  Use a compass
only to find portages across large lakes.  I used a compass
twice in the 8 days.  This past summer I went for 16 days in
the central west area of the Boundary Waters with a 76 year
old friend.  We used a compass to find our way to portages
only off the largest lakes - probably 2 - 3 times.  But it
is very important to keep your map out and check off each
bay, camp,  creek, hill, etc.  It is also important to look
back if you plan to retrace your route on a day paddle.

Marilyn Kircus
Houston, TX


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