Way to throw some fuel out there James....

I am pro the solo paddling.

I was told that an AW Safety Coordinator (title?) from the past was once seen coming out of Bailey Canyon in Colorado by himself.  It's a ten mile IV/V run. 

Personally, I very rarely do it as I haven't needed to and it's risky..especially class IV and above, but I can see the added focus it gives you and there are some benefits to that.

for the record, Bailey Canyon is a great run for IV/V boating. I've paddled the run many times and it has no drops with severe consequences and has a dirt trail along river right. Although I do not solo boat, I have friends that still solo this run.

I believe that solo boating is an individual decision that should be done only when the paddler is confident enough in his abilities to handle any situation that may arise. Park-and-play I consider a different animal and, personally, have no problem with it.

Yo Rock,  where in Colorado did you live?   Bailey is a classic run for sure.  I've got about 20 under my belt and it actually would be one of the only runs of that caliber I'd consider soloing, minus supermax.  

NIce Bryon well put ! I feel the same, I'm an avid backcountry snowboarder mt. biker. Going solo is alway's a risk in most any sport that deals with the elements. I think as long as your not putting rescue worker's or your friends and family in harms way ( that means emotionially as well !! ) then go for it. If you can't handle it and rescue worker have to come save you or hall your dead body from some remote place maybey you shouldn't have gone or maybey you should just be left there. I tell people that all the time i.e my wife. If I die somewhere doing the things I love that's where I want to be and I except that, It's just making sure other people know your plan before you head out,so either they leave you be, or fork out the thoudands of dollars it cost's to get search party's, helecopters, and what ever else your worried family that needs closure might want. So as otter boy said we (paddler's, extreme sport addrenaline junkies. surfer's rock climber's base jumper's the list goes on and on..ect, ect. ect..)  Are part of a bigger picture.You have to relize ( or you don't have too..)unless you've prepaired in all aspects of a solo adventure too make sure you prepaired to die alone with noone coming to save your ass.Please specify with someone you know so money and time isn't wasted on your own self scence of gradificaton for fix, It's not so different from an heroin addict overdosing and diiing for there addiction. YOUR ACTION'S EFFECT MORE PEOPLE THAN JUST YOURSELF!! Like I said I solo stuff but i'm content and so is my family on where and what I do in my life. You can only learn with expeirience and some people go there whole life not realizing what there action's can or do too people around them. I just will leave you with this ... Have fun ,be young ,drink pepsie!! No really just try to use your brain. That's why someone made helmet's, so you can !!! If I rambled it's cause I've been up way too long and worked way to much today... later, and thanks for the fire James, I'm all warmed up now !!

Edited by Chuck e fresh - 07 Jun 2007 at 12:48am

I can do even better than that Tom.

My solo trip, Helene Madison Pool Sessions.  If I get there early enough, I'm the only one in the pool.


Edited by arnobarno - 07 Jun 2007 at 8:24am

Very well said.  But, there are at least two types of people that oppose this risk taking:
1) The "nanny-staters" - the people that want to protect you from yourself.
2) The "don't make me pay $$$ for your mistakes" group

I think group #1 is the vast majority of the people that oppose this type of risk taking.  I don't agree with them.  Your life, your choice.  But, group #2 has a point.  I wish there was a way somehow people could "sign up" to make these choices and avoid the entire debate about society having to pay for rescues, medical expenses, etc. etc.  I don't want to have that debate here.  I'm merely pointing out that there are two groups of opposing people.


Edited by arnobarno - 07 Jun 2007 at 9:22am

I think both groups are wack. Everyone in group #2 needs to pull their heads out of their asses and realize that the root of #2 is a political problem not an issue over rescues. That is just the trigger that sets them off. The overall waste of our system is what is fueling the fire on #2. If you did research on the amount spent for rescues of High Risk Boaters it would almost be a joke spread across the regions who would pay for it. I don't think your looking at anything really there to pay for, it would be hard to figure at all in some areas even like ours. And honestly the person rescued should have to pay for it and usually they do have to pay for a percentage. I have friends that were in debt for long amounts of time because they went backcountry and got hurt ... Heli Lifted out and harborviewed etc... he paid for it ... not all but a good portion. The rest was literally written off by the hospitals. He wrote letters and they forgave him of the debts. Did he pay for the full cost of what they billed no. But I have a feeling they agreed to the settlement of the exact costs less profit margins to get him to pay the debts. That is usually the case. All the people that freak over #2 need to sit down with the ER and discuss Illegal Imigrants.

I like to solo boat because it makes me feel alive, alone and connected more with everything around me. I often catch more eddies, stop and take in the life surround. Sometimes I talk with myself and sometimes I even practice safety techniques by my self.  I am however less apt to try hard lines and push my personal limits, but it is still every bit as rewarding. Accidents can happen there is no question, I broke my tootsie but that would have happened if someone was in the eddy below or not, just like Kaiakman said.

Your spot on dude... We should go Solo Boat some stuff together

I have to disagree with one point. Boating with a competent (experienced), group of an appropriate size for the river you are on is not just marginally safer. It is a hell of a-lot safer. I don't have time to list my own experiences to back this up let alone the "stories" of others. We tend to hear more about the tragedies where nothing could have been done then the close calls where a little "safety in numbers" made all the difference. I would not be here typing this if there were not 2 other people in the group (1 would not have been enough).

Edited by Larry - 07 Jun 2007 at 10:11am

I used to solo boat a fair amount, but on stuff that I was below by ability level.  Courtney used to work a lot of weekends so I would drive up to the river and bike or thumb a shuttle and paddle.  I enjoy being alone in the wild and would get out of my boat and rest on the shore just to enjoy the peace and quiet.  I've had club groups pass me and get on to me for paddlng solo and once this guy got seriously pissed that I declined to go down the rest of the river with his group.  To each his own.

Well, I just have to say solo or with fifty people again if you don't have gear  and knowledge how too use it ! As well as too  know what to do in a certain situation you will be or eventually be f----d . It's who your with or your own skills and knowledge that will and should alway's save yourself. I'm a firm beleiver in self survival. If you don't know don't go... Or is it go big or go home....It's so hard to focaus in this day and age...Ohhh the modern world it's so multi-taxing !!!

Edited by Chuck e fresh - 08 Jun 2007 at 8:34am