There is a lot of amazing information online about backcountry camping and about portaging in Ontario. To learn as much as possible, especially during the off season, I encourage you to check out articles such as https://northernontario.travel/paddling/canoe-tripping-algonquin-park. Winter is a great time to expand your knowledge about this craft and get useful insights from fellow campers.
I’ve noticed that there is far less information online about solo portaging adventures and I think the main reason is that very few people do it. It is an elite craft – think – the free solo of camping. If Alex Honnold was a camper, this is what he’d be doing.
I began camping as a baby – when my parents and I drove across Canada over three weeks and camped along the way. As an adult, I’ve camped in every province, and twenty years ago discovered backcountry camping and portaging. I had a group of friends who mentored me and showed me all the ropes. As I got older, I found fewer of my friends were interested in going back country and fewer people I met did that sort of thing. Out of necessity, I had to figure out how to go it alone. There is some argument as to whether or not camping with your dog is going solo, but for my purposes, solo portaging means that you are the only one with opposable thumbs on the trip.
Making the transition to solo portaging is not super intuitive especially when it’s something you have always done with people. It’s usually assumed to be a group adventure or at least a trip for two people. Who ever heard of a canoe that only takes one person? Don’t they all have two seats? Can you even go portaging alone? How would I carry the boat and all my stuff? What if I need help when I am out there? Can I physically manage it? Can I mentally manage it?
These are questions I asked myself and I did not know the answers. Five years ago, I decided to go and figure it out as I went. The year 2021 was the beginning of my solo career – and I will never go back to camping with people again. I’ve learned a great deal in the last five seasons and feel that now I have it all figured out (almost). I’d like to share what I have learned in hopes that it will inspire you to go solo portaging or at least allow you to live vicariously through my trips (as I do watching Alex Honnold climb). Perhaps my guidance will allow you to make the transition to solo portaging more easily and start you on experiences that can’t be bought – only earned.
Throughout this series, I will suggest what I use successfully as opposed to discussing all the options. This will be a good starting point for you to begin exploring options that may suit you.
PART ONE
Let’s start with the practical things. The boat.
The Pack Boat
This is the boat I currently use for week-long portaging trips (notice it has only one seat!). There is enough room for myself, three bags, and my dog. I’ve used the smaller 14.8 (which refers to the length of the boat) and it is great but that first day with all the food – it’s a tight fit. The extra foot of the 15.8 allows me to comfortably pack the boat and bring some small extras (like a table! More on this later in the series). The nice thing is that it’s only about 25 pounds so it’s super easy to lift onto my shoulders and portage with it as long as 1+km. Honestly, if this boat didn’t exist, I literally wouldn not be a solo portager.
Rent or Own?
I rent. This is a very person decision. I love that I do not have to be responsible for a boat the other 49 weeks of the year. The outfitter leaves the boat and paddle at the put-in for me and I leave it there when I’m done my trip.
The Tent
For ten years, I used a two-person MSR tent which was very cost effective and held up great. This budget friendly tent was a fantastic buy. I used this solo camping because it’s lightweight and fits myself and my dog perfectly. I didn’t find it very comfortable for two people because it’s quite small, but it’s perfect for solo.
The MSR doesn’t have great reviews so it’s possible the quality has dropped, but the 2015 version was sturdy and perfect for me. I just retired it.
I haven’t used my newly purchased tent yet, but it’s Nemo brand and a more pricey. It does have bells and whistles and if it also lasts ten years – it will be worth it.
Yeah, look at those reviews! It’s more lightweight than the MSR and packs up about 25% smaller.
I bought my Nemo tent on sale at Altitude Sports and it was about $150 less so totally cost effective for what you get. Here it is (might not be on sale right now) https://www.altitude-sports.com/p/nemo-equipment-dagger-osmo-lightweight-backpacking-tent-2person-nem-811666036360.
The Food
When I camped with people, I used to bring all packaged food – but I’ve changed since starting to solo. Packaged food can be expensive, very high in salt, overly caloric, and the taste and texture is hit and miss. However, it was very light to carry. Once I started making my own food I have not looked back. You can cook up big batches or chili or stew and fill one bag per meal. They will stay in the freezer in the Ziplock bags until you are ready to pack for your trip. Freezer Ziplock brand bags are a must (don’t use No Name bags! Trust me!). The Ziplock meals will go into a thermally insulated bag like this and will thaw slowly during your trip. If I’m going for more than five days, I bring dehydrated food – that I cook and dehydrate at home – for days six and beyond.
Meal planning in detail
I plan every single meal and snacks and it’s pretty much the same every time. It’s a good idea to plan like this because there’s nobody around to share their food with you if you run out.
Equipment list keeping
I use an app for that! It’s called triplist.
During my trip, if I realize I don’t have an item, I immediately add it to my trip list. Likewise, if I realize I did not need an item, I delete it from the list. It makes it a living list, updatable and revisable. It even has room for notes so I can remind myself of things such as which sleeping bag is best for which temperatures. This app has refined my trip planning immensely and made everything much more intuitive and easy to remember.
Thanks for reading. Reach out if you have specific questions about your trip planning or how to transition to solo portaging!
In part two, we’ll talk about satellite phones, maps, journaling, and snorkelling gear.
PART TWO
Satellite Phone
I bought a Garmin Mini sat phone off Amazon – I have had it for 8 years and it is still going strong. I would say this is an absolute MUST for soloing. It syncs with your phone. Before your trip download the app, enter your trip deets and contacts, and while you are in the wild you can use your phone to text, check maps and weather, and even drop ‘breadcrumbs’ so people you choose can know where you are. Of course, there is a handy SOS button on the side of the unit so in an emergency the Garmin headquarters can call in medical assistance via a helicopter or whatever is necessary. It’s fantastic peace of mind and I use it to text my family and check the weather mostly.
Map in legit map case
Another great idea (solo or not) is to make sure you have a map of your trip. I photocopy the part of the map where I am paddling and camping and put it in a legit watertight map case like this.
I’ve tried the cheap versions and they weren’t as user friendly so now they are collecting dust. This SealLine map case (you can search for it using this handy shopping link) is amazing. It’s totally airtight, rolls up well, doesn’t glare in the sun, is the perfect size, and ties to my bag well. This thing is bombproof and will last decades I’m sure. I’ve had mine for about 5 years now. I also put my compass in my PFD pocket. I suggest also to bring the entire map in case you want to study it later or want a larger overview (like to check out other lakes and portages out of your trip area).
Journal and Book
Two things I didn’t bother bringing when I went with people was a journal and a book. Now that I go alone, I always journal and I read often. Journalling helps me remember the trip but it’s also something I find very engaging while I’m out there and it helps me from getting bored or lonely. There’s no end to the things that I can write about while I’m out there! I’ve even found myself sketching birds, driftwood, and plants I find during my adventure.
Snorkelling Gear
If I find, I have an extra hour or two during the day, instead of getting bored or lonely, I will spend it snorkelling! It’s nice during buggy season because you can escape from the black flies, horseflies, and mosquitoes. It opens up another world as well. I’ve seen the most incredible fish, underwater plants, rock formations, and wacky items that people have thrown overboard. It’s amazing how fish are not afraid of you if you’re in the water with them.
Swimsuit
Solo or not, I bring my swimsuit in any in all weather. You just never know when you might want go for a dip!
Later, in part three, we’ll talk about safety while you are solo on your portaging trip. Stay tuned!