Agree with Ingo on all counts. In addition, walkie talkies can be noisy which won't be appreciated in the wilderness.

It's expensive, but you could buy several of the satellite communicators that let you share text messages with others, and use them instead.

Thank you for this detailed trip report and blog. My first time to Isle Royale is Aug 2024 and this is the hike I'm choosing to do. The information you provide is important for a first-timer. I really appreciate the time you took to write it all! Glad it helps! We did the Feldtmann loop in "re...

Nice topic, Jerry. (1) Is a no-brainer for me: The short stretch of the Mt. Franklin trail just south of the junction with Tobin Harbor, down to Rock Harbor. The trail winds between boulders, through a quiet evergreen grove that feels like it could be out of a fairytale, and then runs through a coup...

Definitely reserve your spot on the ferry soon. It fills up fast! In general, if you're certain you can handle the distances, this will be fine. But, have you tried these distances, with weight, on similar terrain? Some edits: If you stick with Island Mine and East Chickenbone, you'll be getting a t...

Lots of hot air, indeed!

If you want another jacket that will last 20+ years, I recommend the Arc'Teryx Beta . Yep, it's wicked expensive, but it'll last forever and Arc'Teryx stands behind its gear. I've never had a problem getting something repaired or replaced from them when the gear is years old. Good gear is an invest...

Bobcat1 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 12:06 pm Can someone put the above info about new seaplane info into the Transportation sub forum -it will be very useful for people using the MI seaplane connection!

Done -- why didn't I think of that?!

Hi all: It looks like the seaplane is flying out of a new location in Hubbell (on Torch Lake) in Michigan. Here are some details copied from Facebook (oddly, posted by the Isle Royale Seaplane page into an Isle Royale group, not on their own page): "Folks, we are moving to the new location in H...

Looks like the seaplane is flying out of a new location in Hubbell (on Torch Lake) in Michigan. Some details posted on Facebook: "Folks, we are moving to the new location in Hubbell, MI starting in May. The portion of the property in Hancock that we leased for the last few years was sold necess...

Another bit of encouragement to stay at one end and really get to know it. The west end offers many lovely loops. One of the truths of Isle Royale is that you'll be back, so don't worry about trying to see everything at once (as you can see from the trickiness of your itinerary, that's hard to do). ...

I just finished "The River We Remember" and thoroughly enjoyed it. His long-running murder mystery series (Cork O'Connor) is also enjoyable, but his other one-off books like "Ordinary Grace" have been my favorites. (From the thread title I thought you were going to recommend some...

I would not drink any water from a lake that's having an algae bloom. While it might be initially localized to one area of the lake, (1) that can change quickly, and (2) it's hard to be sure at the moment you're there. That would go for outflow creeks too.

In addition to what Ed said (especially about the zero day!), I'd strongly encourage you to consider a shorter trip, maybe 5-6 days. That's based on your experience and the fact that the island will be unfamiliar terrain. If you discover that things are harder than expected, or that your group is no...

Indeed, that's a fun thread! And it looks like it has had its run. Curious to see what new things we can come up with (not necessarily campgrounds) here.

I usually bring a 30 degree quilt no matter the time of year (and 0 degree in spring). But that's because I know I'm a very cold sleeper. You know yourself best, and whether a 35 degree bag will be enough for you in the situations Ingo described.