While I have been walking the island for decades (anyone else remember the old Feldtmann trail?), this is the first time I have posted a trip so bear with me (and thanks to all the others that have done this over the years). First I have been taking groups, 5 to 8 up there almost every year; not as a commerical guide but just someone who wants to introduce others to this unique place. This year the group size was 6 which allows more flexibility in site selection and changes in the route if necessary (and you can actually see critters with 8 every moose, wolf, fox, etc knows you are coming for miles).
If you even plan on taking a group over there, there are a couple of important things to consider. First remind everyone to get their feet into shape - blisters can ruin a trip,not just to the person but everyone that has to slow the pace for them. My recommendation is not just to start walking in boots a few weeks or more before starting but start walking with a pack of 30 pounds. The way your feet move in a boot is different under loading so practice with a pack and walk on uneven ground to get your feet in shape. Second make sure you have the medical information on everyone (including yourself) in a place on your pack that everyone knows and carry a good first aid kit. I am also an EMT and when I do first aid training I tell everyone the first rule of the kit is not to have anything in there that you don't know how to use already. During the past decades I have worked on (and fortunately not my groups but others we met along the way), sprains, lacerations, fractures, burns (mostly pouring water in that mountain house bag) and a few others. The worst was coming into McCargoe Cove to find a kid with a deep cut from standing on a log, barefoot, and trying to chop it into firewood with a hatchet - you can guess the results. Someone on the forum mentioned earlier this summer - that if things go wrong, get to a dock - I cannot over emphasize that comment.
Well if this gets posted so I know I did it right I'll add the report (but just to be sure I got the most important piece of information on here - NO BUGS last week. If you are heading over there in the next couple of weeks, you can probably leave the bug juice home).
Tr: 8/20-8/26 Windigo to Rock Harbor
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Re: Tr: 8/20-8/26 Windigo to Rock Harbor
Smokey brown,
It got posted right! Now bring on the good stuff Trip Report!
P.S., Welcome to the forums!
It got posted right! Now bring on the good stuff Trip Report!
P.S., Welcome to the forums!