Archive

Solo camping trips

  • justincredible
    Have you ever taken a solo camping trip before?

    Schedules didn't line up for a couple of guys that wanted to go, so I ended up taking a solo trip to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota last summer. I got to Ely, MN on a Sunday evening, camped at the outfitter I rented my canoe from for the night, and then canoed into the wilderness on Monday morning. I busted ass to get to my desired campsite on Monday afternoon (through 4 portages and 4 lakes) and camped there until Thursday. It was on a decent sized lake with only one other campsite but I was the only one on the lake, aside from two guys who came to fish but stayed on the far side of the lake, for the the entirety of the 4 days. I packed up Thursday afternoon and canoed back out towards the entry point and found an open campsite on the far end of that lake so my Friday morning would be an easy paddle with only one portage.

    If you've never done it, I would highly recommend it. It was incredibly relaxing to checkout from almost all human contact for a while. I am planning another trip to the Boundary Waters this summer as well, not sure if it will be solo or not. It's nice being able to split the load between two (or more) people, but I don't think I'll be upset if I have to go alone again.
  • Commander of Awesome
    I've done it a couple of times, but never for as long as you went. This past summer I did a solo cycle camping trip, I don't know anyone who is as into cycling or hiking as me, thus I pretty much had to go solo to make it happen. Agree with everything you said, was extremely enjoyable and would do it again. It's also really nice to not have to have compromise with someone else. So rarely do I get that freedom anymore to eat what I want, when I want, listen to what I what I want, hike the trail I want to hike etc....
  • cat_lover
    I camp a lot with friends and family. Don't think I would do the solo thing. I like having people around,better odds in case of a bear attack.
  • Belly35
    When I first came back from Nam I did a few solo for 2 -3 day at a time. It was very good for me at the time.

    I did do two solo county grave yard camping in PA... ..... no so much fun
  • salto
    Justin, would you be interested in a longer trip with some white water? Doing it solo would be quite the challenge and probably need a lot of experience. My brothers and I, with some of their friends went down the River Dumoine but (thankfully) we hired a guide. Trip begins with a chartered pontoon plane ride, landing on lake Dumoine. The river is about 100k with 20 stages of white water.

    * Saw a bear and numerous bald eagles while going down the river. Also, if a white water stage is too difficult, you can always portage around.

    [video=youtube;-0LKWxSvqDQ][/video]

    This we skipped....
    [video=youtube;EpIPHnvhPNA][/video]
  • justincredible
    That looks pretty awesome, but I definitely wouldn't do that trip solo.
  • ernest_t_bass
    Yeah, white water solo doesn't really make a whole lot of sense.
  • justincredible
    Bumping this since I'm starting to finalize plans for my trip this year and it looks like it's going to be another solo trip. I will probably do the exact same trip/route as last year for familiarity. I'll wait to branch out on a new route when I've got at least one more person tagging along. It does look like next year I'll be making the trip with at least 3 other guys.
  • salto
    ernest_t_bass;1839406 wrote:Yeah, white water solo doesn't really make a whole lot of sense.
    As long as you're safe, it's no different than any solo canoe trip. Usually next to the river are paths and you portage around the white water stages too difficult.
  • Spock
    I have been contemplating a survivor weekend. I have 90 acres in SE Ohio that is pretty good for this. There is a pond on the property.

    I was going to go with small animal snares and some fishing line and a fire starter. I would build my own shelter and have to catch my own food.
  • salto
    Spock;1859712 wrote:I have been contemplating a survivor weekend. I have 90 acres in SE Ohio that is pretty good for this. There is a pond on the property.

    I was going to go with small animal snares and some fishing line and a fire starter. I would build my own shelter and have to catch my own food.
    I give you two days.
  • O-Trap
    I've only ever gone with people, but going alone sounds like the most mind-clearing, peaceful thing I've ever heard.
  • justincredible
    O-Trap;1859720 wrote:I've only ever gone with people, but going alone sounds like the most mind-clearing, peaceful thing I've ever heard.
    It's awesome, for sure.
  • ernest_t_bass
    O-Trap;1859720 wrote:I've only ever gone with people, but going alone sounds like the most mind-clearing, peaceful thing I've ever heard.
    Same can be said about masturbation.
  • mcburg93
    I used to go to a place that had a cabin with an outhouse and a large pond right beside the cabin. There was no electric but the windmill worked so it did have running potable water. It was on 75 acres of woods and a small pasture. Would take my vacation there catching fish and just enjoying the solitude. The last time I went back the cabin was getting pretty bad and was starting to cave in. I offered to help rebuild it but the owner really does not want to put money into it. If I had the money would love to offer to buy it before its to far gone.
  • O-Trap
    ernest_t_bass;1859747 wrote:Same can be said about masturbation.
    Eh, I think there's a difference between relieving stress/tension and clearing one's mind.
    mcburg93;1859754 wrote:I used to go to a place that had a cabin with an outhouse and a large pond right beside the cabin. There was no electric but the windmill worked so it did have running potable water. It was on 75 acres of woods and a small pasture. Would take my vacation there catching fish and just enjoying the solitude. The last time I went back the cabin was getting pretty bad and was starting to cave in. I offered to help rebuild it but the owner really does not want to put money into it. If I had the money would love to offer to buy it before its to far gone.
    See, that sounds solid. Would love someplace like that.
  • justincredible
    mcburg93;1859754 wrote:I used to go to a place that had a cabin with an outhouse and a large pond right beside the cabin. There was no electric but the windmill worked so it did have running potable water. It was on 75 acres of woods and a small pasture. Would take my vacation there catching fish and just enjoying the solitude. The last time I went back the cabin was getting pretty bad and was starting to cave in. I offered to help rebuild it but the owner really does not want to put money into it. If I had the money would love to offer to buy it before its to far gone.
    This sounds like a great spot.
  • FatHobbit
    mcburg93;1859754 wrote:I used to go to a place that had a cabin with an outhouse and a large pond right beside the cabin. There was no electric but the windmill worked so it did have running potable water. It was on 75 acres of woods and a small pasture. Would take my vacation there catching fish and just enjoying the solitude. The last time I went back the cabin was getting pretty bad and was starting to cave in. I offered to help rebuild it but the owner really does not want to put money into it. If I had the money would love to offer to buy it before its to far gone.
    This does sound awesome. I've been kicking around the idea of buying some property somewhere for camping and maybe someday building a cabin. I found 10 acres in hocking hills that looked nice in pictures but was full of trash. It looks like a house had burned down and people have been dumping shit there for 20 years. I was wearing flip flops and waiting to step on something and get tetanus.
  • mcburg93
    FatHobbit;1859849 wrote:This does sound awesome. I've been kicking around the idea of buying some property somewhere for camping and maybe someday building a cabin. I found 10 acres in hocking hills that looked nice in pictures but was full of trash. It looks like a house had burned down and people have been dumping shit there for 20 years. I was wearing flip flops and waiting to step on something and get tetanus.
    It was a pretty nice place. The roof is caving in from termites. I sprayed it and set termite traps all around the Cabin hoping the owner would let me fix it up for him. But he refuses to put money in it. Sad to me since the only bad part is the roof. The logs are still in great shape and interior, while in great shape now, wont last long with no roof. It would be a nice property to own.
  • justincredible
    mcburg93;1859861 wrote:It was a pretty nice place. The roof is caving in from termites. I sprayed it and set termite traps all around the Cabin hoping the owner would let me fix it up for him. But he refuses to put money in it. Sad to me since the only bad part is the roof. The logs are still in great shape and interior, while in great shape now, wont last long with no roof. It would be a nice property to own.
    Do they not want to sell?
  • O-Trap
    Yeah, you'd think the guy wouldn't want to hold onto a property he doesn't want to keep in decent shape.
  • mcburg93
    justincredible;1859863 wrote:Do they not want to sell?
    Last I asked him he said he would ask 375k if he were to sale it. He was hesitant to put a number on it at all. So not sure if he will ever sale the property.
  • mcburg93
    O-Trap;1859864 wrote:Yeah, you'd think the guy wouldn't want to hold onto a property he doesn't want to keep in decent shape.
    Its part of a larger farm, I am thinking the whole farm is 400-450 acres. It is at the back of a big field. The lane that goes back is pretty rough but would be an easy fix with some gravel. I think since he is getting up in age and all his kids have moved away he has lost interest in having a getaway type place.
  • justincredible
    I booked my canoe rental late last week so my trip is officially on again this year. I'm about a month out, I am really looking forward to this trip. And pretty happy that I'm staying a day longer than last year.
  • Uncle Ted
    Spock;1859712 wrote:I have been contemplating a survivor weekend. I have 90 acres in SE Ohio that is pretty good for this. There is a pond on the property.

    I was going to go with small animal snares and some fishing line and a fire starter. I would build my own shelter and have to catch my own food.
    That sounds pretty good. Been wanting do something similar but during hunting season. I would pack in my bow, deer stand, knife, small tent, sleeping bag and other misc items.