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Post by Ken Corbett on Mar 20, 2006 16:19:56 GMT -5
This year will see a radical change in the way I go paddling.
No longer will I make plans to go with a buddy, only to get a call from him the night before canceling out. The excuse could be lame or legitimate, it doesn’t matter.
No longer will I listen to the nay-sayers who tell me I shouldn’t go on the river by myself. Yes, all sorts of perils could confront me, but I could die in my rocking chair too.
I won’t even bother looking for a buddy. I’ll just pack up my gear, throw my boat on my car, and go alone.
There are all kinds of small lowland rivers that just beg to be explored. They may be small and short, but they lead to the sea through the woods. I’ll bring along my tent and my fishing rod, and stay overnight whether the fishing is good or not. Rumor has it there are sea-trout in some of those streams.
I’m looking over at the Kent County and lower Miramichi area, there’s quite a few good-looking possibilities over there.
There’s gotta be some good ole boy who can shuttle my car for me so it’ll be waiting at the head of tide. If I have to, I’ll park my car at the top, paddle down, and hitchhike back up to get my car.
Yup, this is the year I get to paddle my boat my way, when I want, at my speed.
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Post by kyle on Mar 22, 2006 16:06:24 GMT -5
I know what you mean Ken. I've been solo day tripping for quite a while now (and the odd weekend trip). Not that I don't enjoy the company but out of all the people I canoe with I would only consider one dependable (another canoeaholic) so if someone backs out or no one is available I solo.
I think you will enjoy your solo trips, you see much much more wildlife and the experience is generally really peaceful you have more time to do nothing but enjoy a nice frosty beer and enjoy nature
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Post by medallion on Apr 17, 2006 7:56:28 GMT -5
Solo is the way to go! we (about 8-10 of us)have been solo on the Chi for about 6 years now.Be it from my Tripper to my buddies Appalacians Ill take either.It use to be a matter of Canoe ownership, but now most uf us have more than one boat. As well if you plan on solo and someone actually doesnt LAME out then its a bonus. As well mt Tripper is registered for 1100 lbs and i plan on making use of it all.
4 weeks 4 sleeps till 1/2 moon
Nice work Kyle -- with the forcast they were predicting -- youve got fortitude!
Buddie,Ermen
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peterng
Voyageur
Enjoying the final stages of adolescence
Posts: 150
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Post by peterng on Apr 17, 2006 9:39:57 GMT -5
I think Ken is talking about solo solo paddling  Bill Mason was quite an advocate of solo paddling. He full well acknowledged the dangers involved, but was more than capable of minimizing the adversity with skill and knowledge. He claimed that the further he got away from civilization, the better he could "hear". He spent so much time out there that he prefered to call it living in the woods rather than camping. He made his own way, not something that all of us are able to do, but I admire him. There, I just wanted to see how many times I could say 'he' in one post. Pete members.localnet.com/~mkcooper |
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Post by roger123 on May 2, 2006 19:02:47 GMT -5
Hey Ken !
If you are looking at the Richibucto R It can be very shallow from the bridge on 126 down to Smith corners. We tried a few years ago (July) and lined most of the way. From Smith Corners to the bridge in Rexton was a joy. PS had my sister pick up your book "My Secret Rivers" just itching to get my hands on it. May the wind always be at your back. Good Paddling .
Roger
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Post by Ken Corbett on May 6, 2006 12:07:14 GMT -5
Roger, thanks!
It looks like I'll be going on rivers I can reach on foot from my house!! My son, daughter, and wife are fighting over our two cars to get to work, party, etc., so I'll likely go up the Nashwaak or Keswick. Any mention I make of taking a car for a week on my own is met with "oh no you don't"s all around. I can't even get wheels for the Vickie Day weekend, for crime's sake.
Jeez, I wish I'd won that $35 mil.....
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tgneal
Voyageur
Little Falls - St. Croix River , NB
Posts: 229
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Post by tgneal on May 24, 2006 15:00:40 GMT -5
Hey Ken,
I couldn't agree with you more. Even though I have great paddling buddies it can be a real hassle trying to accommodate everyones schedule.
During the second week of June I am planning on doing a solo trip on the Chiputneticook Lakes. I'll be starting at Modesley lake outside of McAdam then paddle down the Diggity stream to Spednic Lake. From there I'll work my way up to North Lake via Grand Lake. I'm planning on taking five days in case of bad weather or I get windbound. This is mostly flathwater paddling so I guess it will be a good start to my soloing career.
My buddy said he would paddle with me on the first day (Modesley to Spednic Prov. Park), but if he can't make it no problem because it's a planned solo trip.
Enjoy your solo trips,
Tom
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Post by kyle on May 25, 2006 4:49:33 GMT -5
hey tom, that sounds like a fun trip. i don't know if you have been through there before. in case you haven't , there is a excelent campsite on wauklehegan if you get off to a late start it has a nice sandy beach and a picnic table. if you make it to spednic on the first day there is a beautiful campsite just before you get into spednick, lots of room good beach excelent views and last time i was there there was lots of dry firewood all sawed up. the portage from wauklehegan to first lake is not well travelled or marked but the woods are easy to walk through.
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tgneal
Voyageur
Little Falls - St. Croix River , NB
Posts: 229
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Post by tgneal on May 25, 2006 6:06:34 GMT -5
Hey Kyle,
Thanks for the info. This will be my first trip through that area.
I'll keep my eyes open for those campsites. Most likely I'll camp on one of the islands in Spednic the first night. I can imagine the portages are not used very often. According to the maps there is a dam on the Diggity stream that will have to be portaged also. A good opportunity to practice my portaging skills.
Stay tuned for a trip report.
Tom
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Post by kyle on May 25, 2006 10:34:56 GMT -5
the first two portages that come out from modsley to wauklehegan are well maintained and fairley easy, one is probably 100m and the second is probably 30m. the last portage is where the dam is. it is at the mouth of wauklehegan where the stream goes into first lake. it is just an old rock dam it can be run at high water or lined possibly in medium low water. there is a portage marked on river left of my map and i did see some old blaze marks but not really a trail. it is about 16km or so to the campsite at the end of the diggity stream. i would recomend this site as it is probably the nicest i have seen in this area yet and you might be a little tired from lugging your beer down the portage trail. the next closest site would be almost 4km away at big island, this is another good site, not as nice as the other one. the big island site is also good if you have a large group. watch the winds on spednic,they can be pretty scary at times
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tgneal
Voyageur
Little Falls - St. Croix River , NB
Posts: 229
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Post by tgneal on May 25, 2006 12:30:57 GMT -5
Hey Kyle,
Once again thanks for the info. I will definitely check out that campsite you mentioned.
I will be adding to your karma.
Take it easy,
Tom
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Bones
Lily dipper
Posts: 35 
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Post by Bones on May 25, 2006 19:13:23 GMT -5
Hey Ken & Tom,
Enjoy your solo trips - I've done a couple of small ones myself (longest 5 days up in Quebec) and highly recommend them. Nothing like being out by yourself and not seeing another human being for several days. I'm just envious of the people who have the time & courage to go solo across Canada!
If you don't mind a bit of advice:
1) realize that your time in camp doubles. It's simple common sense, but I was surprised when I came to my first campsite how long it took to set up. Normally someone sets up tent, gets sleeping bags out, while others make food & gets fire going... not when you're by yourself. My first night I got my tent up looked around... and then realized I had a lot more work to do if I wanted dinner :-)!
2) Always have an emergency blanket, matches, whistle on you at all times. The stupidist things can mess you up - be it simply rolling an ankle on a portage. In my case my girlfriend and I got lost ... going to hang up my food for the night!!! It was dark, had been raining, there was no moon, all we wanted to do was go to sleep. So off we walked into some thick regen not really thinking where we're going, and the next thing you know we're making a small lean to & sleeping on the ground overnight till morning when we can find our way back to camp. Definitely not the smartest moment of my life.
Anyways, have great trips and make sure to let us know how it goes!
Cheers,
Bones
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tgneal
Voyageur
Little Falls - St. Croix River , NB
Posts: 229
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Post by tgneal on May 25, 2006 19:18:01 GMT -5
Hey Bones,
Thanks for the advice.
One of the reasons I chose this route is that I will never be that far from civilization. There are even cottages on Grand Lake.
I will definitely bring some emergency supplies and keep safety foremost in my mind.
Happy Paddling,
Tom
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