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| Trip Planning » First solo - Western Uplands! » 6/12/2017 6:19 pm |
Hi everyone! What amazing advice I got here (except, and my bad, taking only a 1 litre water bottle in the fall). I skipped Silver Peak - it poured rain and I was suffering. So obviously I have to do it again!
Check out my trip report!
What an AWESOME trail. I left thinking I was so done but now I want to do it again.
This summer I am planning to solo Western Uplands, and 88k trek. I did the small loop last summer. My sister and I are also roadtripping across Canada - from Ontario, to Van Island, ALL THE WAY to Newfoundland and back to Ontario, with some single night backpacking along the way.
Thank you all so much for the guidance in getting down my pack weight. Since La Cloche, I've been able to invest in a down sleeping back, a lighter stove, and some other weight losses! I did bring my tarp--used it once, never again. I learned SO MUCH. I really appreciate the support and tips.
| Trip Planning » First solo - Western Uplands! » 9/13/2016 6:27 pm |
Lofty wrote:
hi there
I've done the Highland and sections of the Western Uplands and I will admit they are fairly easy compared to Killarney :-)
I have a few tips for Killarney ( as well as algonquin ) - I've done the La Cloche trail solo 2X ( both I did in 3 days! )
to save on weight - cut back on the water you carry - 3L of water is about 6.5 lbs -
if you use Jeffs Map - both algonquin / Killarney have lots of rivers and lakes you can water up as you go.
I found in Killarney - there was water every hour or less - I would just hike - when I came to a stream / lake I would drink about 1/2-1 litre and pack about 500ML - then drink the 500ML about 30 minutes later - knowing in 20-30 minutes there is another water stop.
Believe me 6 LBS of water is alot of weight - I notice when I have 1L in my pack :-)
a few other tips - that are weather dependant - but clothes are a lot of weight - some planning can shed a few pounds - it theres no chance of rain - I'll skip the rain gear - even with a small chance - in summer I'll hike and get wet - but have a pair of dry camp clothes ( for clothing I have my hiking clothes - that can get wet, be vented if hot ... and my camp clothes that are dry and warm for what the expected temps are )
how long are you planning for La Cloche Silhouette Trail ?
I decided to only carry a litre of water... and if you knew me, you would know how major this is for me. I am, let's say, highly uncomfortable at the thought of going without water. General question--do I need to treat the water with Pristine drops as well as filter or is that overkill?
I may be able to cut back on clothes a touch...
What about Killarney is difficult standing next to algonquin--constant hills, steep grade, rugged trail, all of the above?
I have 7 days there! More than WCT. But I have a really rough day that is 16k PLUS Silver Peak, so that will be quite a haul. The joys of last minute booking...
| Trip Planning » First solo - Western Uplands! » 9/13/2016 6:23 pm |
Hi
I can add my name to the solo hiking list. I've solo hiked the Highland Trail, 2/3 of the Western Uplands, all of the Silhouette Trail, and 3/4 of the Coastal Trail at Pukaskwa. Pukaskwa was the hardest of those, with Killarney next. I haven't done the WCT, but from what I have heard, it's tough, and if you can do that, most of what Ontario can throw at you will be straightforward. Anyway, If you have any questions feel free to ask me. I have some trip reports at... neelands dot smugmug dot com.
(BTW 42 pounds does sound high. I've never gone over 30 and I still have good knees. maybe that's why. Also started using poles after Killarney made my knees sore a bit.)
Ralph
Pukaskwa is on my wish list. It's so beautiful! How long did you dedicate to it?
I am a little nervous about Killarney (understatement). I had a hard time with Uplands (the length on the first loop between maggie lake and ramona lake). Not sure why, just hit a major wall--and the mosquitoes! Lots of hills... Hills can be disheartening for me.
I've read your trip reports, actually! Thank you for the time and energy you put into those. They have been helpful to me.
| Trip Planning » First solo - Western Uplands! » 9/13/2016 6:20 pm |
womanwalkingaway: first off I love the name; secondly I too am a solo woman backpacker so I wish you well on your adventure. I have yet to meet another solo woman on the trail...I know they are out there and I hope to cross paths someday with one to chat awhile.
solosal, thank you! I met a solo woman on the Highlands in Algonquin and my sister and I chatted with her for a while! On WCT I only met one or two solo women and one wasn't holding up so well. I really encourage women to go into the woods alone--we belong there. <3
| Trip Planning » First solo - Western Uplands! » 9/13/2016 6:18 pm |
Wow, thank you for all the responses! I have been swamped trying to organize my life for the 'vacation' in Killarney coming up, so I just got to check in now. Western Uplands was wonderful, though the mosquitoes were really trying--I am one of those people who mosquitoes absolutely swarm--and I use all natural spray that is more of a ... minor deterrent than a repellent ;P
Okay, I got my pack weight down to 37 pounds for this trip. It isn't that I have bad knees, chronically. Just that the WCT really did a number on them--the terrain there is unbelievable. They have just about fully recovered now.
I honestly don't know what else I could drop from my pack. I did let go of the idea that I need a day's worth of water on me at all times. I am a water worrier!
Here is my pack list. I don't have the weights broken down very much because I am dealing with an ancient scale.
Black Diamond head lamp
Katadyn hikerpro water filter
A lightweight firstaid kit
Small repair kit (with field repair kit for thermarest, carabiner, duct tape, paracord, etc)
A few journal pages and a pen (in this I also keep my licence and permit)
Toilet paper kit (paper bag, TP, ziploc for packing out)
Omni tool
Whistle/compass
Waterproof map case
Cell phone
In my Ursack I keep my food, fuel, and hygiene stuff
Food: Mostly dehydrated meals, cliff bars, crackers, babybel cheeses, hot chocolate, honey
Fuel: 230g butane, small primus stove, small bic
Dishes: one small aluminum (?) pot w lid, a spork
Hygiene: homemade deodorant in small ziploc, homemade toothpaste in small ziploc, toothbrush, 'bug spray' in small spritzer, tiger balm, ibuprofen, chunk of soap, lipbalm
Water sandals (these aren't really light but they are perfect for going through streams and for camp
Eureka Midori 2 tent (5 pounds ish)
NeoAire Xlite thermarest
MEC scout tarp
Sleeping bag probably like 4 pounds to be honest, I'm not sure
Clothing: 3 socks, 3 underwear, base layer, fleece pants ( for sleeping, sometimes paired w base
| Trip Planning » First solo - Western Uplands! » 9/05/2016 7:42 am |
I definitely rely on my hiking poles. I recently read they relieve your knees of about 26 pounds per step, which is a bounty, especially on trails with lots of hills--moreso down than up!
My pack is 42 pounds including 3 litres of water, which is a little less than it was for my weeklong backpack trip but I know there are a couple places I can shave it down. This trip is more of a test of equipment than of my mettle.
Thanks all and Rich I will likely take you up on the opportunity to chat about Killarney in the coming weeks. Thank you.
| Trip Planning » First solo - Western Uplands! » 9/04/2016 6:32 pm |
Hi all, this is my first post here and I made a profile just to have a place to talk about how excited I am--this week is my first solo backpacking adventure. I'll be doing the first Western Uplands loop including the journey around Maggie's Lake. I've backpacked before (including West Coast Trail in June and Highland last week) and in a few weeks I'll be heading to Killarney for the Silhouette Trail solo. I thought I'd benefit from a bit of solo experience first especially considering I've got a new stove...
I don't exactly have questions as I prepare by reading trip logs and just having an open mind and strong legs! I wanted to do a longer loop but was advised to go easy on my knees. I never had knee issues until WCT and they still haven't recovered. Luckily I've been able to invest in some lighter gear in the past couple months. I hope it helps!
Thanks for reading - and see you around I'm sure!
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