A good read. I can commiserate about the 2.4 miles from Mt. Franklin to Lane Cove being the longest 2.4 miles I have ever hiked! The same thought was echoed by another pair of hikers that make the trek with us last week. I had the same feeling as you on the Mt. Ojibway trail when I lost sight of the...

My $0.02: keep the Jetboil and go with it. I just used it last week on the island for myself and my wife with zero problems and very little fuel weight (one can was more than enough to cook six hot meals for two people, plus hot drinks in the evening. Sure, it weights more than the alcohol stove, bu...

Just to be clear this isn't a licensed ferry to and from the island? No, it does not service I.R. Although it did for a long time until it was replaced by the Queen IV a few years ago. Thanks for the clarification. I almost had a panic attack as we are scheduled to head out to IR next Monday on the...

FWIW, I still have an old Jansport external frame as well. It will turn 16 this December. I recently upgraded this spring, but it is still as functional as ever, but by shoulders couldn't take the lack of load lifter straps anymore. Jansport may not be the most advanced or lightest gear maker, but t...

I have been using Permethrin on my gear and clothes for about a year now. I was recently on a trip up the Vermilion River (west of the BWCA) and the mosquito and deer fly pressure was as bad as I have ever seen. The only areas where I was bit were my face and hands, which were uncovered by my clothe...

Did everyone get the notice about their change to the return policy? Now there is a 1-year limit from the date of purchase. Some folks had to ruin it for the rest of us.

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesste ... nsxml.html

I would caution those new to backpacking to realize the difference between a filter and a purifier. A filter will get most of the junk out, but only purifiers remove viruses. Luckily, we don't have to worry too much about viruses in water of North America. Just food for thought.

Backpacker breakfast Sliced almonds 3C chopped walnuts 1C chopped pecans 1C honey 1/3 C & coconut oil 1/3 C bring to a boil together w/a big dash of vanilla & cinnamon drizzle over nuts & spread it around 9 minutes @ 350 on cookie sheets lined w/foil Cool, bag, >backpack. Eat cold or w/...

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I used mine for an Osprey Xenith pack. It is a nice upgrade from the old Kelty external frame that I took with me on my LAST trip to IR 16 years ago.

Ok, thanks. I figured that was the case, just checking.

By "stay at the lodge" I meant get one of the little $50 per night cabins for the first night to get an early start the next morning. Those cabins are only in Windigo, not Rock Harbor. The campground (presumably in a shelter that time of year) or the lodge at $200-250 ish a night are the ...

One piece of info I'm searching for, but can't seem to find, is an idea of what kind of foods are available for purchase on the island. Is it all freeze-dried meals? We are trying to plan out how many meals we will need to pack, but if we can buy some stuff at Rock Harbor on our first/last days, tha...

By "stay at the lodge" I meant get one of the little $50 per night cabins for the first night to get an early start the next morning. (I hate tearing down my camp!) Has anyone had any problems leaving gear in a shelter? I'm a little leery of leaving our collection of gear lying around. I k...

Ok, I think I just noticed my error. Both the Queen and Ranger dock at Rock Harbor! Looks like I'll have to tweak things so that we can take the Voyageur II.