REI silk long underwear bottoms for me. Got the top before Christmas on sale and really like it. It's about a third the weight of their polypro midweight and still plenty warm. Might pick up a few other odds and ends if there is any leftover $$.

That was the procedure on the IR Queen IV two years ago.

In 2010 we ate at the Mariner the night before a week on IR. Food and beer were both good. After a week on IR we went to Harbor House and it was amazing! Can't really go wrong with either. We also saw the captain and crew from the IR Queen in the Mariner because they weren't sailing the next day due...

Slept on the Klymit Inertia X-Lite last night. The temperature got down to 28 F, but I was comfortable with my Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 bag. The Loft Pockets actually seem to work to keep the insulation in the sleeping bag from compressing and the padding was in the right spots even when I slept...

The Potowatomi Trail would be a good choice for anyone in southern Michigan. I hiked it in October this year and found some of the hills to be as challenging as Isle Royale. I was the only one at the campground in Blind Lake.

I toss and turn a lot, but it seems like the support for the shoulders and hips are in the right spot for me.

I read both books before my trip last year and found that it really whet my appetite for the adventure. While I knew it was fiction, It was interesting to see places on the island that she had mentioned in the book. Have fun!

I just got the Inertia X-Lite today. It's the 3/4 length version of the X-Frame. At 6.1 oz (7.9 oz with pump, stuff sack, and patch kit) I am willing to give it a try! Has anyone tried an Inertia X? I'd be tempted but I already bought the Big Agnes. P.S. The Big Agnes mummy air mattress arrived toda...

Just had a question. When you refer to base weight, what are you including? Do you include clothing? My pack weighed 32 lbs when I left the island last year. I have since sold off and purchased all new gear that I have tried out a few times around home. Planning a trip to IR next year. New gear list...

Marmot Precip works great. Search Amazon and you can get them on sale. I took mine to the island last year and it worked so well it didn't rain at all for the week I was there I used it a month later on the Jordan River Pathway and stayed dry and comfortable during the rain the first day.

I picked up the Tarptent Contrail a little while ago and absolutely love it! Has a lot of room for very little weight. Roomier than the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 I had and half the weight. Vestibule is twice as big and it has 7 inches more headroom. Neither tent is freestanding, but you only need 4 st...

Tried the Starbucks VIA packets and they taste very good. Just expensive! $9.99 for 12 servings.
I found Taster's Choice has something very similar, (same type of package). They taste very good as well, but at $3.24 for 20 servings, I'll use those!

Since I have a dehydrator and a decent supply of venison in the freezer, I made my own, which we intend to bring on our trip to the island Aug 28 - Sept 2, 2010. My hiking partners have whole-heartedly agreed that is is acceptable.

Decided to go with the Marmot Pre-cip after I found it on sale for $50, plus I had a $25 gift card for the retailer, so I got it for $25!
Kind of a no-brainer at that point.

Leaving Port Huron, MI August 27th. Spend night in Copper Harbor. Aug 28th - Rock Harbor to Daisy Farm (7.1) August 29th - Daisy Farm to Moskey Basin (3.9) August 30th - Moskey Basin to Chippewa Harbor (6.2) August 31st - Chippewa Harbor to West Chickebone (7.9) Sept 1st - West Chickenbone to Daisy ...