Solo Trip in May

[Rafiki]

(Note: I'm TOTALLY doing this when I retire!)

Me too, without a doubt!

I personally grab the tent because it's nice to set up inside the shelter for warmth/protection.That screen doesn't offer any thermal protection. Dang cold!

I agree. The breeze can be bone chilling. I was hoping that my 25 degree bag and a sweatshirt combined with a couple of layers would save me.

Don't be so sure on your ability to put on distance.An unplanned injury could also slow your desired rate, and should be considered.

An injury would be my main concern in terms of being slowed down. Although I realize that debris is also something to keep in mind.

If I were backpacking, I would carry at least a lighweight tarp that you can use instead of the tent.

I'm thinking about bringing my skeleton setup from my tent. The fly and footprint. This would at least provide me an enclosure to sleep under. However, I do worry about rain and water blowing in or under the tarp and ruinning my $370 down sleeping bag. Yikes! Also if the mosquitos are out early this season becauseof the lovely weather we have been having, I could be really screwed

By the way I am glad to see I am not the only one thinking through a trip and different approaches to a trip!!

My girlfriend calls me the plan master. Also sometimes cognitively complex. So ya, I really like to think things through. And if I can shave a little weight off, I am all about considering it. I don't know about you, but almost half of my fun (ok maybe not that much, but close to it) is just planning for my trips. Its part of the thrill that leads up to the big event

So here is another question for you seasoned veterans, do you think I will have any issues with the shelters being locked during the first week of May. I know they start shipping crew out to the island during the last week of April, so I am curious to know if you think they will get around to unlocking the shelters, because if I am not mistaken, I could have sworn they have latches next to all of their doors that a padlock could slip through. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[johnhens]

As fas I know, the NPS does not lock the shelters for winter. I don't recall a hasp or the like where a lock may be be used on the shelter doors.

[Tom]

I can only ever recall seeing the hasps at McCargoe. I always kinda wondered what they might be for; surmising that maybe if a research crew or work crew was in the area, they could then lock up things if they needed to.
Like Johnhens said, to the best of my knowledge they don't lock them up seasonally. If you did find them locked, you can always sleep in the biffy.

[drobarge]

Yes the shelters will be locked. They lock them to keep all the winter visitors out when there is no NPS staff around to supervise their use. Just ask for the key when you arrive at park headquarters in Houghton. The ranger at the front desk will more than likley act very aloof when it comes to this key,(they may even deny the key exists) you will have to press the issue with him/her... be relentless and you should be able to get a key.

[Rafiki]

I don't recall a hasp...

That was the word I was looking for...HASP. Ha Ha Ha. Thanks John. I was so tired when I wrote my post the other night that my brain when on lock.

I can only ever recall seeing the hasps at McCargoe.

Tom you are very observant. That is where I noticed the hasps too. However, I never reminded myself to see if I noticed them on other shelters at campsites I stayed at later on in my trip. I wonder if they are only there.

Yes the shelters will be locked.

Are you 100% positive on this note and do you think that it is likely that they will not be open during the first week of May. As far as asking for a key is concerned, I have a feeling that they will not randomly just give me a key and allow me to unlock their locks. If I did that, I'd imagine they would want me to unlock all of their shelters, and while this wouldn't be an issue, carrying back several pounds in locks wouldn't be my idea of fun. When I thought about not bringing the tent it was not because I was overjoyed to be carrying locks in place of my tent

Does anyone else out there suspect that drobarge is on point with what he is saying? Also do you think my skeleton tent idea would be sufficent? Thanks in advance everyone.

[drobarge]

I couldn't help it man. I was just pulling your leg and getting a chuckle at the thought of someone demanding a key for the shelters. They will be wide open for you.

[Rafiki]

I was going to say...does this new guy Dro just rattle off whatever comes to the top of his head and try to pass it as being factual information, but when I go to the island I'll be played for a fool for taking him seriously. That is why I kindly asked if there was anyone else out there that had ever heard of what you were saying to be the case.

[drobarge]

It was all meant in good humor. I did not realize you were such a serious fella. As for being "the new guy"I have been a member here since 2010 and have spent more time on the island & Lake Superior than many can ever hope too. I have lived on the lake, not on shore but in a boat on the lake this naturally involves a fair bit of time at IRNP. I do not just post whatever comes to mind but I do have a sense of humor, and I hope my sense of humor has not offended you.

D

[Rafiki]

Not at all. And I am not that serious of a person. Furthermore, I only said "new guy" because I have not seen you post a lot here until recently. I had no idea that you were a member since 2010. In any regard, no worries on any offense being taken on anything. Words, opinions, and jokes never get to me. Hopefully nothing was taken to heart about my new guy comment. That was not aimmed at being a lowblow by any means.

So back to the topic at hand. What is everyones thoughts on me just bringing my skeleton system from my tent? Think the bugs will be bad first week of May?

[johnhens]

The way Spring is going, I am guessing you will experience conditions that would be found in June-which means bugs. I didn't consider the non-Winter early Spring when suggesting you use a tarp. Indeed the bugs would be bothersome w/o some type of netting to allow you a nights sleep. I will be interested to hear of your decision on tent vs tarp and shelter availability if you go.

[Tom]

However, I never reminded myself to see if I noticed them on other shelters at campsites I stayed at later on in my trip. I wonder if they are only there.

I think it's because when you approach the McCargoe shelters, you are coming up the hill, and so notice things like that. However, I have tried to look for them at other shelters (ever since seeing them on McCargoe six or seven years ago) and no other places come to mind. It might be one of those good trivia questions to ask the rangers. Maybe it was just the era of when the shelter was built, and what they felt was needed at the time. Not unlike the alcohol restrictions, I suppose.

I'm with Johnhens, in predicting that you'll likely see some bugs. Maybe not quite into the black fly hatch, but things will be around. Even two years ago, which was an early season (not quite like this!) our first boat trip saw a few black flies and some mosquitos. However, the normally cooler nights tend to keep them pretty slow/hidden once the sun fades.

[IncaRoads]

Rafiki said:

does this new guy Dro just rattle off whatever comes to the top of his head?

Funny Rafiki, I have been meaning to ask you the same thing.



On a more serious note, Rafiki also said:

Do you think it would be risky not to bring a tent? Also do you think my skeleton tent idea would be sufficent?

All of my backpacking trips over the last 10 years have been solo. For safety reasons, I would never consider not taking a tent/tarp to Isle Royale, even if I planned to stay exclusively in shelters. What would you do if you were injured in between campsites and had to spend the night? In an emergency I could put up with the bugs; but I couldn't easily handle adverse elements like rain/snow. Hypothermia can kill.

The skeleton tent would probably be the minimum I would take.

[photosean]

You could try a hammock and tarp. A Grand Trunk Nano 7 and homemade whoopie slings, tree straps and carabiners out of 1/8-inch Amsteel Blue is super light and relatively cheap. (Grand Trunk also makes the Ultralight Hammock, ~8oz w/o hardware, $20) For a tarp, you could use a Heatsheets blanket (2-person) and string some Zing-It (or Lash-It) for guylines. You can also ditch your sleeping pad and use a car windshield sun shade. The shade helps with biting bugs and adds a bit of warmth.

If you hang the hammock low, lower temperatures w/ wind aren't much of an issue.

4.5 oz - Grand Trunk Nano 7 (minus the hardware it comes with), $50 on sale
3.5 oz - Heetsheets 2-person, $7
3.4 oz - Windshield shade (unmodified), $3 at Walmart
2.5 oz - Amsteel whoopie slings, tree straps, carabiners; $20 at reddenmarine.com

Total = 13.9 oz, around $90

For the tarp guylines, I use Zing-It, but it's considerably expensive as its only sold in a spindle. You might find someone on Backpackinlight.com or Hammockforums.net that could sell you the amount you need.

If you feel the need for mosquito netting, a couple yards of sheer at Walmart would do the trick. I've used it in the past. It weighs in at about 1 ounce per square yard.

Plan on spending every night in the hammock - because hammock sleep is good sleep. In a pinch, you could sleep on the windshield shade in one of the shelters.

Oh yeah, you do need 2 tarp/tent stakes. I use Vargo 6" Titanium Stakes. They weigh .2oz per stake and cost $2.75 (per stake) at Zpacks.com

[fonixmunkee]

For safety reasons, I would never consider not taking a tent/tarp to Isle Royale, even if I planned to stay exclusively in shelters.

Unless you drop it in the middle of a bush-whack. :O

[IncaRoads]

Fonix is correct. I knew I couldn't keep this a secret forever.

I lost my tent off the back of my pack during a bushwack out of Angleworm Lake in June 2011 and nervously made it to Daisy Farm for the safety of the shelters. With my remaining trip itinerary in jeopardy, I seriously debated heading to Rock Harbor to connect up with the Voyager two days later. The following day I decided to continue as planned and utilize the shelters at Moskey Basin and Chippewa Harbor. I was very nervous traveling sans tent.