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A
great canoe is worthless in the hands of an inexperienced paddler.
You should not head out solo until you understand the basic principles
of paddling and are capable of performing the necessary strokes.
Alone on the water may not be the best place to learn these. Be
confident and know how to deal with changing water conditions. If
you feel your skills may be lacking, or you just want to refresh
techniques, look into taking a weekend paddling course. These
courses are usually inexpensive and give you the confidence you'll need
to face challenges alone.
Strokes:
Before heading out on your solo trip, ensure you're 100% confident
in your boat. Are you able to track straight? Can you right a
tipping canoe? Are you able to steer correctly? How are
you in current? Make sure you know how to read water and be
confident you'll be able to meet challenges as they arise.
Moving
Water: Most people overestimate their paddling skills. It's
strongly suggested you take a
moving water course to brush up on forgotten skills as well as learning
new ones. You'll leave with a greater understanding of what you're
doing and a greater confidence when you finally head out alone.
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"Thousands
of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are
beginning to find out that going to the mountain is
going home; that wildness is necessity; that
mountain parks and reservations are useful not only
as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as
fountains of life".
John Muir
"We abuse land
because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us.
When we see land as a community to which we belong,
we may begin to use it with love and respect".
Aldo Leopold
"I have never
found a companion that was so companionable as
solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when
we go abroad among men than when we stay in our
chambers. A man thinking or working is always alone,
let him be where he will".
Henry David
Thoreau
Downloads
Solo
Trip Plan
(PDF)
Solo
First Aid List
(PDF)
Solo
Food List
(PDF)
Solo
Equipment List
(PDF)
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