Is this route doable for a novice solo paddler?

[danielfishercanada]

Hi

I am planning to go to temagami for 5 days. If you see the attachment, I am paddling about 14km per day and portaging 1km per day across day 1, 2, 4, 5 with my day 3 being a rest day.

I haven't solo paddled before in my 16ft swift kevlar fusion canoe. I'd say I am intermediate paddler and camper but I always had a partner.

I chose this path because I think there being lots of small lakes will help with minimizing wind and current impacts.

Your opinion will help me greatly. Thank you

 

[Alan Gage]

I don't know anything about Temagami or your proposed route but your daily mileage sounds easily doable. I would usually shoot for 20-32km per day but I like being on the water paddling so I would usually make camp late.

Much of it will come down to you in terms of your health and fitness as well as your solo paddling and camping skills. Everything will take longer when you have to do it all by yourself.

Is your 16' Swift a tandem canoe that you're planning to paddle solo? I assume that's the case since you said you've never soloed it. It would be a very good idea to get some solo time in with that canoe before the trip. It will handle much different solo than it did tandem. Most of us prefer to trip in dedicated solo canoes but plenty of people paddle tandems by themselves so it can certainly be done.

Alan

 

[memaquay]

14 k a day will lea e you lots of time for fishing and bird watching. Totally doable.

 

[billconner]

I figure 10 to 12 miles a day in BWCA and Q, and just did 60 mi in less than 5 days in Adirondacks, and I'm 73. Souris River Tranquility - 14'-6". I think you're good but I don't know Temagami.

 

[Gamma1214]

I have no experience w/ Temagami either but your mileage (kilometerage?) seems very reasonable as does the route selection to minimize wind and current. Planning for a rest day is good as well. I always plan one but have never (yet) actually taken one.

I'll look forward to a possible TR to see how your fare.

Hopefully, you won't run into many people as long(ish) solo trips are a unique experience. Somewhere around day 3 you'll either get very lonely or you'll be sorting thru the food pack to see just how long you can extend the experience.

 

[ppine]

Sure. Kind of like asking would you be good to do a similar backpacking trip. Going solo adds an element of risk. Are you a person that is deliberate in your actions? Are you cautious by nature? Are you more cautious when going alone?

Do you always wear a life jacket on the water? Do you plan to use an axe? Are you bringing firearms? Are there any rapids on your trip? Do you cook with a fire or a stove? Is your route well traveled? These are the kind of questions I would ask.

 

[petit.conan]

That looks very doable! When are you planning on travelling?

My first solo I was doing about 20km a day with some big portage days around Killarney PP. It helps it have something to get reliable forecasts on. Wind always seems to be the big factor when travelling under human power.

I had 1 day where I was up before the Sun because a big storm was blowing in later in the day and I wanted to maximize travel time while the wind was still down. Spent a nice afternoon swimming in a sheltered bay in front of my camp instead of being wind bound elsewhere.

You'll be very safe on your first trip, timid even. Nothing wrong with that! Enjoy the trip.

 

[BobMills]

I did this trip in 1960 when I was 13 with a group of YMCA campers. We did it in about 10 days with two layover days. I remember that a couple of the portages were tough, but my canoe was aluminum and heavy. I hadn't reached puberty yet so I found the trip hard. For a grown man it should be a great trip, really great trip. I have never soloed so those comments may be of more use to you.

 

[Gamma1214]

You did the same route? I'd say your thoughts are at least as legit as anyone else's... no one else who's responded has even been to that park.

 

[petit.conan]

I've been to the Temagami Area many times canoeing, that loop is on my list for an August or early September trip sometime!

I think it can be a fairly busy area as well, I'm sure you will be running into people on the regular if the weather is nice.