u/Style_Maximum

I had an amazing 5 day solo trip.

My Algonquin Park route: Magnetawan-Queer-Tim R-White Trout-Misty-Magnetawan.

I experienced thunderstorms, rain, snow, ice pellets and plenty of wind!

Learned a few things along the way to adjust next time and thought I’d share my experiences and a few pics (including one of all the clothes etc I didn’t use).

Weather and conditions can drastically affect travel time. Build in a buffer for early season tripping. I put in some 7 hour days, which is fine but I generally like some camp chill time. Or alternatively, build in a rest day along the way.

With rain, portage trails become water runoff management paths. I had Sealskinz waterproof socks and they worked great excellent with some wool socks underneath for keeping my feet dry and warm.

Portage trials and river sections - expect blowdowns that have not yet been maintained. Most of this was experienced along the Tim River section.

Overpacked clothing - opportunity to pack less.

Done with my solo tent especially early season trips. I will use my 3 man or get a 2 man tent. Need more space in shoulder seasons for changing and…………trying to use a urine bottle (found it easier to just go outside in the cold). Need to be a contortionist with no head clearance. Head to toe, I cover the entire length of my tent. (TNF Stormbreak 1p)

My canoe pack got heavy soaking up water with the rains and all the internal dry bags add weight as well. Considering moving to a 115L dry pack. Again, might force some more mindful packing.

Reducing food/cooking things and using my 30L food barrel over my 60L when soloing for a shorter trip like this 5 day. Not much lighter but with the extra space, I tend to pack extra things.

Wearing padding gloves BEFORE the blisters happen. Mostly when using the double bladed paddles for wind and upstream currents.

Sleep system was solid for the sub zero night temps. Even dialled it back a bit on slightly milder nights.

Sleep system:

-7 down bag (MEC)

Waffle sleep pad (just a cheap Woods brand one) under my inflatable pad (MEC Vectair).

Bag liner

Merino wool base layers and wool socks.

Merino wool toque

Neck gaiter

Canoe trimming. Couldn’t seem to get it right with loading. Typically my stern was sitting higher so any side wind load, I was getting pushed off line. I was in a 15’ H20 solo. Got better as the food etc was depleted from the food barrel which was positioned in front of me.

First time using my ZOLEO satellite communicator. Was awesome for nightly checkins and for weather checks. And the fact that I can pause it for $5/month is a good feature.

Already looking at another trip!