Search found 147 matches

by Tortuga
Fri May 05, 2017 7:57 am
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: "My First Backpacking Trip"
Replies: 13
Views: 7082

"My First Backpacking Trip"

As I gear up for my second IR trip, I started thinking about my first backpacking trip and how both my gear and I have changed since then. I imagine a lot of us are in the same boat. I don't want to come off too much like a high school student writing an essay, but thought it would be fun to share m...
by Tortuga
Thu May 04, 2017 9:03 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: ULA Equipment Backpacks
Replies: 13
Views: 7854

ULA Equipment Backpacks

Hi team, I'm on a mission to lighten my load and have taken some recent steps. So far I've saved over a pound on my sleeping bag, and am awaiting my new TarpTent Double Rainbow (saves 2.5 lbs off my previous tent). My current backpack is an Osprey Aether 70, which is about 5 lbs flat. A friend has r...
by Tortuga
Wed May 03, 2017 6:25 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Tarptent Double Rainbow?
Replies: 12
Views: 7933

Re: Tarptent Double Rainbow?

Well I just pulled the trigger. I'll make sure to review it during my trip review next month. I'm only planning to tent camp 2 out of my 7 nights, but you never know if you might not be able to get a shelter. I the seam sealing service. Ain't nobody got time for that. I'm looking forward to shaving ...
by Tortuga
Tue May 02, 2017 7:48 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Tarptent Double Rainbow?
Replies: 12
Views: 7933

Re: Tarptent Double Rainbow?

I have a Tarptent Rainbow and it it has worked very well for me on my last 3 Isle Royale trips (late May and early Sept.). I have not used the Tarptent Rainbow in humid summer conditions. It ventilates real well so I get minimum condensation, and what little moisture that does collect can be wiped ...
by Tortuga
Tue May 02, 2017 6:02 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Tarptent Double Rainbow?
Replies: 12
Views: 7933

Tarptent Double Rainbow?

So after considering a Big Agnes Copper Spur I'm now being drawn to a TarpTent Double Rainbow. http://www.tarptent.com/double-rainbow.html My question here is, for those of you who own one, is the Double Rainbow a good tent for Isle Royale conditions? The number one complaint I've seen has been a te...
by Tortuga
Tue May 02, 2017 8:59 am
Forum: History
Topic: Unmapped Mines
Replies: 3
Views: 4264

Re: Unmapped Mines

:lol:

Fair point
by Tortuga
Mon May 01, 2017 4:17 pm
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Season Pass
Replies: 20
Views: 9837

Re: Season Pass

I know it's $20 more, but I was able to buy an "America the Beautiful" federal recreation pass from the USGS. https://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html I'm planning 2 week-long visits to IR this year, and with this pass have the ability to go to pay no user fees at almost all federal sites. T...
by Tortuga
Sun Apr 30, 2017 4:46 pm
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Mott Island Web Camera Operational Again
Replies: 8
Views: 4056

Re: Mott Island Web Camera Operational Again

Midwest Ed wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2017 11:21 pm For me that's a heavy duty zip lock plastic bag full of dryer lint with about half of it soaked in candle wax. It weighs almost nothing.
Nice! My go-to kindling set is a ziplock with cotton balls rolled in Vaseline.
by Tortuga
Sun Apr 30, 2017 4:41 pm
Forum: History
Topic: Unmapped Mines
Replies: 3
Views: 4264

Unmapped Mines

When I was reading more about the death of three wolves in a mine shaft back in 2011/2012. One of the articles I read stated the mineshaft was previously unknown and unmapped. Which leads me to wonder a few things. Is it true the mine in question was unmapped or unknown? If so, is it reasonable to a...
by Tortuga
Mon Apr 24, 2017 5:37 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: 2017 Trip Log - Add your planned itinerary here!
Replies: 24
Views: 13835

Re: 2017 Trip Log - Add your planned itinerary here!

Name: Josh Hometown: Chicago Arrival Date: September 4 or 11 Departure Date: September 10 or 17 Coming From/Via: Grand Portage Itinerary: Day 1: Windigo to Feldtmann Lake Day 2: FL to Siskiwit Bay Day 3: SB to S Lake Desor Day 4: SLD to Hatchet Lake (or Little Todd if I push forward) Day 5: HL (or L...
by Tortuga
Mon Apr 24, 2017 3:19 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Newbie - 3 nights on IR - What would you do?
Replies: 4
Views: 3144

Re: Newbie - 3 nights on IR - What would you do?

Given your conditions, it sounds like maybe you won't be moving much farther than Rock Harbor. You can rent a canoe, fish in Lake Superior (with a Michigan fishing license), and do some day hikes. I have a hunch you're right about things getting busy that weekend, but the others can speak more to th...
by Tortuga
Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:38 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Solo Backpackers and Shelters?
Replies: 5
Views: 4066

Re: Solo Backpackers and Shelters?

Gotta love the search feature! I was wondering about shelter etiquette for a solo packer, especially at the sites like Todd Harbor where there's a single shelter. On my one trip last year I was always early into camp and got first pick every single time. I ended up sharing my shelter with two guys a...
by Tortuga
Sat Apr 22, 2017 7:46 pm
Forum: Trails & Campsites
Topic: Early June Itinerary--Some questions
Replies: 12
Views: 4566

Re: Early June Itinerary--Some questions

Well it looks like it'll be a solo trip for me, so I've made some changes and have a pretty firmed up plan now. No bushwhack (don't want to do that solo), and no days over 8 miles. Won't get as many miles in as I hoped, but I'll be able to visit a lot of new camps and will have stayed at all east-en...
by Tortuga
Sat Apr 22, 2017 7:27 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: What are you spending your REI dividend on? 2017 Edition
Replies: 14
Views: 18509

Re: What are you spending your REI dividend on? 2017 Edition

Caldera Cone system. It's an alcohol stove and probably my most favorite investment. Has a windscreen that serves as a pot holder and is pretty efficient. I can store everything together--stove, spoon, pot--all together. Cannot recommend it enough. https://www.traildesigns.com/stoves/caldera-cone-sy...
by Tortuga
Sat Apr 22, 2017 7:13 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: What are you spending your REI dividend on? 2017 Edition
Replies: 14
Views: 18509

Re: What are you spending your REI dividend on? 2017 Edition

johnhens wrote: Sat Apr 22, 2017 1:34 pm I bought a MSR Pocket Rocket II. Don't need it, have a thing for stoves. Love MSR stoves. Bought a few other things for trips.
My stove is the one piece of equipment I haven't swapped out since I started backpacking and don't plan to, but man do I love the sound of an MSR firing up.