I spend the majority of my time solo boating. Not because I prefer it that way, but because of the aforementioned reason - nobody to go with. I often get off work weekday mornings; probably the least desired time for most people to paddle, and have limited other opportunities to go.
You're not chicken, just cautious. I'd say that is a normal feeling and one you shouldn't ignore. That cautiousness should be listened to carefully throughout your solo boating experiences.
I think there are several areas that need to be considered with solo boating. It should be...
- a run you are very familiar with
- a run you are nearly 100% on the lines - if not, time to portage
- confident in your skills (about your successful run)
- know how to hike/get out
- comfortable/confident with self rescue (swim to shore, etc)
- OK with losing your paddle and boat
- ability to keep a cool head (something is eventually going to go on, how you respond will greatly affect the outcome)
I was very reluctant and nervous on my first several solo kayaking missions. The more I have done it the more comfortable I've become. There is a sense of security kayaking with a group - to some degree I'd call it a false sense of security. Although there are countless situations where others can lend a hand, for the most part many of them can be mitigated by the individual alone. And more-so the primary cause of an incident is always an individual action. There are very few instances that would not have happened if you were with a group. In fact the opposite is true - you are more likely to be distracted boating with others or run into a problem because of someone else.
There are still plenty of times where I head off to the river and feel nervous because I'm alone. The other day I headed off to boat after work and it had been quite a while since flying solo. I hadn't done the run in a bit and didn't know the wood situation. All contributing to my 'nervousness.' I decided to take it a little slower, scout out some lines and make sure I was feeling good. Usually the feeling slips away at some point and it turns into a very enjoyable time.
I need to take the kids outside, when I get a chance, I will try and answer some of your questions directly.

I have found myself boating solo more often earlier this year as there was a lack of boaters in my area (Fraser Valley, BC) to boat stuff I wanted during the hours I could boat as I get off work around 330 weekdays, most friends get off later. Though I prefer to boat with others also. I completely agree with everything WA-Boater has to say.

I carry a lock to lock my boat to a post or tree at the end of the run and usually jog back to the car, most runs I solo are shorter runs conveniently. I used to dial it back, but less as you get accustomed to it. There are times when it's nice to solo, you notice things a lot more as you aren't always engaged with people, and it's a very calming and focusing experience I find.

Speaking of Nooksack canyon, Horseshoe Bend is a run I solo a lot as it's short, easy shuttle, you can lap the main part of the run easily and close to home. If you're looking for paddlers in that area let me know.

Great topic, Doggie!

Wa-Boater sums up the main points pretty well. I boat solo now more than ever, for a variety of reasons, not necessarily prioritized in the order I'll list them...

-No one to boat with. Recently in Leavenworth, if Fuqua and Michelle we're available, then I had to go by myself. Lots of people to hit the play run with, but few creek boaters who are available all the time

-I love boating with people. But one way or another, the group mindset always defines and limits the parameters of the experience. When I'm by myself I can shape the trip however I want. Like the day I ran Icicle solo with my binocculars. I'd seen a sh*t ton of Western Tanagers the day before, and my buddy got himself busted up being a gaper after another recent injury- kinda made me temporarily feel like boating with peeps was inherently LESS SAFE. (Also this was in the wake of Sam's Jaw breaker experience, so it was thick in the air. So I took the binocculars, blocked out different access points than normal, and had a "whitewater bird watching trip". You usually can't get someone to break their normal routine to accomodate you like that, so a solo trip is nice. Or sometimes maybe I just want to stop and have a picnic in the middle of some rapid- climb out on a midstream boulder, get naked, take a nap, ect. A lot of extra freedom when you don't have to clear your agenda through someone else. Sometimes I just want to scout some rapid for whatever reason, that I've never really seen because its not "difficult" enough to warrant scouting.

-I have understood Wa-Boater's "everyman for himself" theory for quite some time now. Not to put words in his mouth, but essentially it is an opinion that we all have a false sense of security by paddling in groups. Now, I agree to an extent, but I also believe it DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LIKE THAT. But, people aren't as aware of each other as they would need to be to flat out disprove the theory. So part of what I explore when paddling solo is: where is that fuzzy grey line really at? For example, all of us walk down sidewalks all the time. But, take a catwalk the same width and suspend it over the Grand Canyon, and suddenly my kness are gonna be wobbly, I may even feel the urge to crawl on all fours. But what has changed? The exposure has changed, but 3-4' should be plenty wide to casually walk down a sidewalk that just happens to fall off into space on either side, right? Its all phsychological, and I like to explore where that line should be drawn, because something about a false sense of security really bothers me.

Now, having said that, and here we get into the nuts n bolts of how to go about boat'n solo and staying safe, the ACA safety code, AW, ect. All say "never boat alone". I think it is a good rule, without rehashing WaBoater's points too much. Yes, most accidents are avoidable and stem from our own actions, but "using the buddy system" is a good rule. One made to be broken though. When one starts boating, one should adhere to these rules. Don't be drunk. Don't boat under the influence of drugs. Don't boat at night.

But rules were made to be broken. Hopefully after following them for awhile though, so you know where your wiggle room is. and You won't catch me boating in the full moon by myself on Acid, although taken seperately, those are three rules I've broken on more than one occassion. My daddy taught me to never break more than one law at a time and that sums that one up. So I think its worth being extra cautious when you do boat alone.

Maybe walk that one crux rapid if its got you on the fence, or scout it at least. Take more sneak lines or less aggressive ones at least. And familiarity is a good thing, or, if you want to run an unknown run, choose one that's a class easier than the stuff that challenges you.



Edited by jP - 27 Sep 2013 at 7:36pm

Are you sure that wasn't me? As your attorney that sounds like advice I would offer.

Get a hitch receiver. I'll give you my garage code, and you can take my scooter whenever you want to do a solo run. Use the bike lock for your gear when you go back for the car. Shuttle problem solved!

Kyle

Wow!  You guys are providing some great feedback.  Thank you.

While I've never paddled WW solo, I have done A LOT of solo sea kayaking including two months solo in Baja.  In the beginning, I was super cautious, but as I became more experienced with solo paddling, I began to do longer, more exposed trips and felt that my risk level was acceptable.  I think this experience made me a much better paddler because ALL decision-making fell on my shoulders and I knew that no one (especially in remote parts of Baja) was going to help me if I ran into trouble.  When you start your trip with the mentality that "no one is going to rescue me, ever" it really heightens your awareness.  It makes you focus in a way that doesn't happen on a group trip.  It's interesting to hear you guys describe the same feeling about paddling WW solo.  I totally get what you're saying.

As for dealing with situations that go bad when you're solo, I got a little taste of that about six weeks ago when I slipped and fell while scrambling off-trail on steep, broken rock.  I fell fast and hard and came back up with a numb wrist and a broken finger.  I cussed for a few minutes, but calmed down quickly after I realized that I could still climb out w/o using one hand.  Then, I emptied out a ziplock bag, filled it with snow, and iced my hand/finger while I continued to my destination.  If you're going to go solo (whether paddling, climbing, whatever) you have to accept that you might have to deal with some scary or painful situations on your own.  And you have to accept that you might lose your gear (or boat or paddle) in order to save yourself.

There is a definite risk/reward trade off with solo boating, but I always felt that most people don't understand the reward part unless they've done it.  The most fun/memorable sea kayak trips I have been on have all been solo trips.

I am definitely interested to try WW boating solo and will probably start VERY conservatively and then build up slowly from there.  The hardest part will be convincing my GF that I can do this safely.  She boated for a while and, like all of us, had it drilled into her head that it is ALWAYS unsafe to paddle solo.  (Though she accepts me sea kayaking solo since I've done it so much.)

I have met solo WW boaters before when I've been out paddling and they always fall into one of two groups:  complete beginners who don't have a clue or Class V boaters who know exactly what they are doing.  Though I'm not a Class V boater (and probably never will be) I think I know enough to make the risk acceptable.

my 2 cents

Solo boating is generally not recommended: the rule exists for a pretty good reason. Those that break the rule should not necessarily be used as an example (Darren is not your typical kayaker).

If you are someone who gets out a lot, I believe there is some value in occasionally soloing (ie once or twice per year) a run that you paddle frequently.
I think we all use our paddling buddies as a bit of a crutch. Most of us will be more likely to step up and run something if we see someone else have a good line. By removing this influence it will give you the opportunity to see for yourself what your comfort level actually is. Most paddlers will inevitably boat more conservatively if they are by themselves. Try to use this as a learning experience that can influence how you boat when others are around.
I became a much safer boater when I adapted the attitude that as much as possible I pick lines that I would run even if no other paddlers were present. If you are tempted to run a rapid just because there are others around that can clean up your yardsale...maybe that's a good reason to portage.

As far as shuttle, I almost always save it for after the run. I usually leave a bike at takeout but always spend a bit of time thumbing a ride before hopping on the bike.

I love solo Laps for a good workout. A lot of people don't want to spend time as a group attaining, ferrying, or catching every eddy out there. Best practice you can get though.

My favorite routine is to park just below exit in the paved pullout on hwy2, 3 minute walk up to exit, put on partway in exit for a little more excitement, then catch every single eddy and cover as much lateral and upstream distance as possible to the next pool. About 30 minutes of consistant physical paddling. Take out and walk 5 minutes back to the car (or rv and make breakfast).

While living near Montreal I found a class 2/3 stretch 5 minutes from home that allowed 2km descent and attainment all the way back up with only one walk. I'll be spending a lot of time on that next month to work my shoulder back up.

Interesting where Fiddleyak weighed in on this one- I figured you'd advocate a little more strongly in favor of solo boating, Ben.

I agree the "buddy system" rule is in place for many good reasons.
And, Larry, you are kinda right: I may have poured it on abit thick about the "false sense of security" of boating in a group. After all the rescues that have taken place (whether I was involved as the rescuer or the one being rescued), it is definitely a sort of safety net having peeps around. But, those people have to be alert to do the swimmer any good.

I like what Ben said about the subtle ways we are influenced by the comradery of "group stoke". How many times have you wanted to fire up a crux move that you were capable of, yet were paddling with another person who dampened that spark, and then you are portaging with that person? I have been on both sides of that fence.

I always pick runs I know I can solo confidently. But looking back, it is interesting how my faith has been tested on a lot of the harder solo runs I've done. Some brief sh*t has gone down. Then again I was always able to work it out in my boat. Well, except for one time. I was too "off the couch" to be running what I ran solo, at an unreasonable flow, considering how little I knew (or how much I took for granted) the rapid that got me out of my boat and wisked away my gear. A rapid I never considered would give me trouble. But at that flow it wasn't the same river I thought I knew. And instead of acknowledging where I was at that day as a boater, I took for granted my years of experience. In the end it all didn't add up to a clean line to the take out. But, I learned some valuable stuff that day and confirmed what had been theories. (Swimming high water by yourself is an illuminating experience).

Mostly I appreciate the solo experience as a very spiritual one. Magical. I agree it should be judiciously invoked, but I also consider it integral to the overall "whitewater balanced diet" for the avid paddler. At least once in awhile on the backyard run you know like the back of your hand.

And you are right about solo sea kayaking- done a fair bit of that and found it to be very pleasant and enriching. Having no one around to bounce your thoughts and perceptions off of, making those large scale decisions based on weather, current, distance, ect.

Ben you are right when you say most of us use the group as a crutch. Cool to explore the negative space that is left when you strip that element from the equation.

I solo all the time. It is one of my main workouts, but I stick to easy short walkable runs. If I didnt solo, I would weigh 300 lbs. I dont like workout clubs.

Soloing the Green is one of my Top 5 favorite runs. 1800-2500 cfs. It's a spiritual place if you can shed the noise.

The shuttle is not really that bad to run either... I would recommend shoes and not rodeo socks though... made that mistake before.