Female Gear List 1st Timer Isle Royale

[JerryB]

I use my Nanopuff pullover and my fleece interchangeably and always bring one or the other, even in high summer.

[hooky]

I don't know... The kindle weighs less than a single paperback and it would be a great way pass a weather related delay. I personally take mine every time I'm out for more than a couple of days. I'm assuming I'm probably around 20 years older than you and a 12 mile day is the limit for me anymore, so take my next comment for it's worth. I have started bringing my little monarch all lite chair with me too. The inland sites won't have a picnic table to sit at and I appreciate being able to sit in the chair enjoy my evening meal and maybe a cigar with a bump of bourbon. I shoot for 30 pound pack weight, but I could drop around 8 pounds if I just upgraded my gear.

All that said, hike your own hike and have a blast. My guess is you'll visit more than once.

[Base654]

I will try to be delicate... My hiking partner swears by her "gogirl" urination device. Think funnel. Fewer bug bites and faster stops. She suggests practicing with a shower nearby. Nuf said?

[jillbord]

Thanks JR, Jerry and Ingo - I am now confident in my decision to bring the Nano! I don't want to end up cold and miserable.

Haha, Hooky, I know I keep going back and forth with that chair and kindle. As soon as I make up my mind I think, well..... We are planning on spending two nights at one campground so it may prove to be useful. Still on the fence.

Base654 - Oh my! I saw one of those urine funnels at REI and I thought to myself "Sure wish I had that in Guatemala!" I've never met a female who uses one... I may have to look into this, and def practice haha,

[Spinnister]

I haven't had time to read your list, but saw the suggestions to ditch the trowel. After the torrential downpour we were in last August at North Desor, I WILL NOT GO WITHOUT IT ever again. We had to trench frantically around the tent, or float away. Seriously. A stick wouldn't cut it (I know because we were trading off between the one trowel and sticks & rocks for an hour). I had never used it before, for anything, but it saved us that day. It's light plastic, but sturdy, and straps to the outside of my pack. I almost left it at home - so glad I had it!

[Spinnister]

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 pack was pretty heavy - 47 at the start of my solo leg. I do carry more water - generally 3l or so - have to find a balance between the extra carry weight and the possibility of running out. Getting dehydrated one day could ruin a whole trip. I ran out one day (foolishly decided to double my mileage one day), and on on of the hot days we both had about 6 drops left when we got into camp.

I took my Kindle last time - so glad. Lasted me 16 days with plenty of charge left. The equivalent weigh & bulk of paperbacks would have been excessive.

In the second 1/2 of last August, it was probably 80-90 the first 2 days, then cold and rainy, then hot again.... Really have to prepare for a wide range. It was wet a lot, so even with 3 pairs of socks and 3 pairs of liners, there were days when I had no dry ones to put on. And I froze one clear night, with my long underwear (light), primaloft jacket, light fleece, socks, light hat, & finally hiking pants at the end, in a 40° bag

I'd consider putting fresh batteries in the headlamp right before the trip, and leaving the spares behind, unless you typically stay up pretty late. I have the same light, and read every night with no issues. I usually went to sleep around 10 or so, so not real late.

[jillbord]

Spinnister - that post made me rethink not taking gloves! As a born and raised Yooper I know how fickle the weather can be, I imagine even more so on an island in Lake Superior (I'm from Escanaba, the UPs "banana belt"). I think I'll pack them : )

Also, yes, ditch the spare batteries. Def won't be needed. You're not the first to say bring the Kindle... May be worth the weight! I'm being very picky about weight because I get crabby and do not enjoy hikes as much when I am loaded down and struggling. Trying to keep within 20% of our body weight (which is why Daniel is carrying the tent). That sounds like an incredible trip though - going solo - I applaud you. Psychologically I wouldn't fare well... I probably wouldn't go more than 4 miles a day before I thought, "Ok let's set up camp!" haha.

[Spinnister]

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

[zims]

Welcome. I would not leave gloves at home. I would also bring a winter hat, even a beanie type. We have come off the greenstone in august where it was 80 degrees and when we dropped down to the shoreline of superior it was a freezing 35 with freezing winds coming off the lake. a tent in the shelter did little to take the chill out of your bones.. Have a great trip.

[zims]

Hello
As a solo female hiker, here's what I bring to Isle royale every year.
I always have instant coffee "tea bags", enough for 2-3 cups of coffee a day
breakfast:
I use steel cut oats measured out in a ziplock enough for 1/2 cup a day. prevent the micro litter by doing it this way. In summer when the berries are ripe pick them as you hike and add to your oatmeal. you can bring "tang mix or something" on that line.
Lunch:
I plan on 1-whole pita a day, 1-vacuum sealed pre mixed tuna pouch, 1-string cheese and trailmix. You can throw in a couple lipton instant soups, nice to have if its raining or gets chilly
Dinner:
1-vacuum pouch mountain house meal, add cheese. I plan 1 whole pita for at night. I pre butter and garlic salt then before leaving home and toast them using a small old aluminum plate and my gerber tool as a handle. Toast it over the flame of the jet boil or your stove.
Don't forget you dark chocolate. I bring one large Hershey bar, and divide it up daily.
This usually is more than suffice, and people are right that the first days your appetite decreases dramatically. Sometimes you are not even hungry but you need to eat something. You sure can replace proteins with peanut butter and such but this is my steady planning menu
If you plan carefully for your campsites, sometimes you can have a fire. If these are planned whether its a group ring or individual site, We will pack large marshmallows in a pringles can, graham crackers and chocolate. Make your own roasting stick and enjoy.
Hope this helps.
Don't underestimate the weather on the island. Always prepare for cold and wet.