It’s really so sad. I was never the biggest fan, but I can’t imagine euthanizing him was the only option.

R.I.P.

Thanks for the direct feedback. I'm totally on board with the grossness factor of packing out used TP. Three trips in and this hasn't been an issue for me yet (thanks, sphincter!), but who knows when my luck will change, hence the curiosity about the bidet. I'm also considering some other ...

I know IR is a little different from some backpacking trips in that there tend to be outhouses at each stop. That said, I’ve been giving some thought to trying out a backcountry bidet instead of TP. Anyone able to give me thoughts on why this is/isn’t a reasonable idea? My biggest question really ...

I’m not enough of a meteorologist to know if Feldtmann made its own storm, but we went to bed under clear skies and hours later were in a hope-for-the best scenario. It got intense for a short bit.

As for my friends, I would say so. One of them used a lot of borrowed gear that he has since ...

June 19 - Made the drive up from NW Indiana with two traveling mates for my third and their first trip to the island. Seven and a half hour drive, placed us at The Downtowner in Houghton for wings, curds, and a Pacers Game 6 victory. Great start to the trip!

June 20 - 8 am seaplane flight to IR ...

Thanks for the behind the curtain glimpse. I participated in Moosewatch for Educators in 2022. Your posts bring back vivid memories of the sights, sounds, and (unfortunately) smells of that experience. How did the Educator trip compare to the pure Moosewatch? Sounds pretty similar, sans wolves ...

I like to picture the wolves as lobos celebrating Cinco de Mayo, treating the suspended cannisters as pinatas. They still lack opposable thumbs, right?

backwoods doc wrote: Wed Apr 09, 2025 9:35 pm Okay, do a few cannonballs off the dock at Windigo and call it a day.

Thanks again for all the info. Maybe he can just hitch a ride on an outbound moose...

Thanks for all the thoughts. To be clear, this is still very much a hypothetical. We'll have to wait and see what the island offers that day. It would be the morning before we catch a seaplane back, so wet clothes for the trip aren't much of a concern. As for the weather, anything less than perfect ...

Fair questions. We’ll be there at the end of June. He swam for Northwestern University, which has definitely been a few years, but I know he still swims as his primary means of staying fit. I’m not sure how gung ho he was on this idea, but I know it caught his idea when looking at the map. I think ...

My group is going to have a little downtime at Windigo. One member of our group is a swimmer. He wants to know how realistic it would be to swim from Windigo to BI. We obviously know the water will be cold and deep. We’re aware that weather can be an issue. Is that completely out of the question, or ...

Thanks for the info. You mention “the trail”. Is there a marked trail, or are there certain landmarks by which I would try to navigate, or do I just leave camp in the general direction of Southwest and hope I see a trail?

Thanks for the tip on the Powder House, too. Something else to consider.

I'm going to be on the Feldtman in late June this year and noticed Lake Halloran on the map. I've read what I can find on this site about it, but I'm not seeing a whole lot from the last few years. Anyone know if it's still accessible and how difficult it would be? I understand there used to be a ...

BearVault BV 475. It’s supposed to accommodate 5-6 days of food, but it’s not the largest, heaviest option. On paper, at least, it seemed to be the right compromise of weight and volume. Will know more by the end of June after I’ve returned or been consumed by wolves. If I make it back, I’ll let you ...

I've gone ahead and ordered a bear cannister. I figure if nothing else, it gives me the encouragement to go ahead and get out West a bit, as well, to try some of their terrain. At 2 pounds, 4 ounces, it's not light, but it's also not going to be what keeps me from accomplishing any of the things I ...