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 > ------------------------------ > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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