Like Ingo said, no cotton! Our first ever backpacking trip in Alaska, the guide made everyone dump out their packs, and made people replace anything cotton they had. "Cotton kills". Once it is wet, it will just chill you. I'm thinking a pile of 30 Clif bars would be really heavy. Not bulky, but ...

I haven't had any issues getting fuel for my Jetboil at either store. That's been in August each time, so early or late in the season that could be different. I think Primus is what they had last summer (in multiple sizes), but I think I've seen others in the past - but since I've had the stove ...

We also have a Copper Spur UL2. Works great, although I also agree about the zipper orientation. And I'm 5'-6", hubby is 6'-5". Just long enough for him, and yes, snug. But works fine. Not many 2-person tents are long enough for him. After our trip in August, we did decide we want a 3-person, and ...

My guess would be that yes, it would have the same effect if you wore a separate hood - actually the company sells one that I believe extends down to the shoulders, but I just swiped one off a winter coat, and a buff to cover my neck. But since I didn't ever use them, I can't say for sure. The quilt ...

It's a 30 degree quilt. If you didn't gather this from the post, I'm a 50 y.o. woman.

We got back yesterday, after 11 days. Windigo, Hugginen Cove loop, Feldtmann loop, S. Desor, Lake Richie, Chippewa Harbor, Moskey, Three Mile. South Desor was pretty horrible with mosquitoes in the afternoon and evening (and it was really hot & humid), but otherwise only enough a few mornings to ...

We just got back yesterday from an 11-day trip. 3 tent nights, seven shelter nights. Good to be home. Sad to leave the Island (although the the door slammers and loud-talkers and trash-dumpers the closer you get to Rock Harbor sort of ease that transition :evil: I was using some new gear ...

I live in the Keweenaw, which is pretty similar to IR. I can just see it on the horizon on a clear day. Early September can be really hot once in a while, but probably more like 60s-70s normally, but could be 50s. Could even be 40s, depending on the year. Lows could be 30s-40s. With luck, 50s ...

I absolutely take my Kindle. But that isn't splurging - for the weight penalty, that's a lot of books to choose from! Although, I'm pretty sure some people could go through my pack and deem about 1/2 of the contents as "splurge" items.

Four crossings on the current Queen, 2 were perfect, and 2 of them were miserable. One of those was so bad I didn't know how I was possibly going to make it through all those hours. I was sick for hours after, and would start getting queasy every time I thought about it for a month after. I am ...

Pancakes at the Suomi. And I normally won't eat restaurant pancakes.

Seaplane. 1 hour from Houghton? 35 minutes? I don't remember, but not long, plus multiple departure time options. You can easily beat the mob of people from the boat lining up to register, and be out on the trail much earlier. Plus choose which end of the island for both arrival and departure. So it ...

I live in the Keweenaw, so not on the island, but that neck of the woods. My comments are based on my experiences at home, and my two trips to the island in August (second half). I'm not sure I'd go in June if I had another option, but I'd definitely go in August. The blackflies can be horrible in ...

Yep - I live just a little north of Calumet (NOT the U.P.'s banana belt ), and can see Superior. Things can change pretty fast around here

I noticed you don't have a camera or binoculars listed? Knife? Cord/clothesline? I spent 16 days on the island - 7 with my husband, with the tent, cooking gear, filter, food, etc divided up, then 9 days solo - so I had everything then. I tend to way overpack, but usually use everything I take. My ...