I did have the misfortune once to leave my pack in a shelter at Three Mile while I walked elsewhere in the campground area and a couple of young kids from a large group stole my knife and compass. I believe it was a 1 in a million likelihood, but these things can happen. I got the compass back after...

Water filters?: I forgot to mention that packs were heavier then due to the extra fuel needed to boil water. Back then filter systems were expensive, bulky and rare. I’ve seen a few mentions here about taking certain chances with “fresh” water and that nothing bad happened. My understanding is that...

After my first trip to Isle Royale (see above) was such a debacle yet a wonderful experience, I spent all summer before I returned to school in Houghton working to save money for proper equipment and reading about proper backpacking techniques. I relied almost totally on Colin Fletcher’s “The Comple...

My very first backpacking experience ever was in 1975 at Isle Royale. Before that I knew nothing about the concept of carrying everything I needed on my back. I was attending Michigan Technological University in Houghton when a roommate told me about an upcoming charter trip. The IR Queen out of Cop...

It looks like you have a great site here. Brings back lot of memories, mostly great ones, LOL.

It's been 9 years since my last trip, but I started in 1975. I've written a few things about past escapades if anyone is interested?

Ed