First boat

Questions about how to get to the island and where to stay near points of departure.

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First boat

Post by Ingo »

Anyone going May 4th?
How's the VII Capt Don? When do you head for GP, or are you there? Any ice issues?
I assume everyone up in that neck of the woods is enjoying your weather :? ...
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Re: First boat

Post by NancyT »

Mike and I will be on that boat!! Looking forward to meeting you!
Hey, we'll have matching canoes also!!
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Re: First boat

Post by Ingo »

NancyT wrote:Mike and I will be on that boat!! Looking forward to meeting you!
Hey, we'll have matching canoes also!!
Unfortunately I won't be there :( , just curious who was going. I'm jealous though :).
22: BI-PC-BI-RH, 21: RH-ML-DF-MB-DF, 18: MC-PC-BI-DB-RH-DF, 17: WI-IM-SB-FL-WC, 16: RH-CI-TI-RH, 14: BI-ML-CI-CH-MB, 13: RH-PI, 12: MC-CB-HL-TH, 11: WC-HC-WC, 09: MC-BI-DN-RH, 05: MI-CI-MB-DF-RH-TM-RH, 02: MC-LR-WL-CH, 01: BI-DB-RH, 79: worked RH
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Re: First boat

Post by Tightlines01 »

Well Nancy I'll say Hi on first boat. Are you guys getting off in Windigo or going further down the line? We're going on to McCargoe the first day.

Andy
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Re: First boat

Post by NancyT »

Hey Andy,
We are getting dropped off at Malone.
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Re: First boat

Post by Tightlines01 »

Hey Nancy.

So your overnighting in Rock then or are they doing the round trip that day?
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Re: First boat

Post by NancyT »

No, we're not overnighting it in Rock Harbor, going straight to Malone.
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Re: First boat

Post by Tampico »

Brave souls...you folks are going to freeze.
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Re: First boat

Post by Capt Don »

Hi,

I have been in Portage quite a bit, also working in northern Alberta and BC. Lately coming into Portage from east of Nipigon, ON as we have good ice cover near St. Ignace island and the whitefish and salmon have been very receptive to my lures. The marina in Duluth where the boats are was just able to start moving boats this past Thursday, we are pretty much ready to go into the water. Plan to launch either late next week or early the following week depending on the USCG schedule, then on to Grand Portage, hope to be there by the 30th. Ice will be gone enough to get to the docks I think, have been talking with the park regarding their schedule and it looks like they will be able to get a boat into Windigo before we get there on the 4th. They have to if they plan on gettting the Ranger's first trip there on the 7th. I'll see those coming on the first boat on the 4th, or most likely in the lounge at the casino on the night of the 3rd.
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Re: First boat

Post by NancyT »

Tampico, I have resigned myself to the fact that I will never have a warm, relaxing vacation. I am well prepared for the cold weather. I invested in a pair of down pants last year and they have kept me toasty. Actually, I can't imagine being on the island when it's warm, it just wouldn't feel right.

Don, you betcha on the third, looking forward to it.
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Re: First boat

Post by Ernest T Bass »

NancyT wrote:Tampico, I have resigned myself to the fact that I will never have a warm, relaxing vacation. I am well prepared for the cold weather. I invested in a pair of down pants last year and they have kept me toasty. Actually, I can't imagine being on the island when it's warm, it just wouldn't feel right.

Don, you betcha on the third, looking forward to it.
Nancy,

What kind of down pants did you get, and how do you like them? My wife does not do all that well with cold weather, and although I have tried to outfit her well, I haven't really run into down pants (though I cannot say I was actually looking).
Thanks in advance for any info.

Cheers,

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Re: First boat

Post by NancyT »

These are the ones I purchased. http://www.backcountrygear.com/montbell ... ens-1.html

I got the mens as they fit me better than the womens. I absolutely love them. They are very light weight and very warm. There are many others out there that are cheaper, but for the three trips to the island that I have used them, they are worth every penny spent. I never go there without them. They come with a stuff sack, they compress to about the size of a 20 oz. Nagelene bottle
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Re: First boat

Post by Ernest T Bass »

Thanks for the link, that is very helpful!
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Re: First boat

Post by Nym90 »

I notice that according to the NPS the park officially opened April 16th.

Has anyone here ever come to the Isle in April before the first boat? I'd think this could be a bit hazardous as you'd have to pilot your own vessel over, but for those looking for the ultimate in solitude this would be difficult to beat. Such a trip would even give one the opportunity to potentially snowshoe on the Isle before the snow melts for the spring.
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Re: First boat

Post by Tom »

Such a trip would even give one the opportunity to potentially snowshoe on the Isle before the snow melts for the spring.
Looks like the first-boaters might get that opportunity.

Bon Voyage to our forum friends heading out on tomorrow's boat! Safe travels for all of you, and we look forward to your reports when you get back!
While I've been on the Isle with snow before, NOTHING nearly like this. As fun as that might be, after this season of winter that doesn't seem to end (I'm looking out my window right now watching flakes coming down) I'm OK with the fact that my trip won't be until June... :P
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