Trip Advise - First Timer!

[scotty]

Hey, everyone!
I am planning on catching the June 1st 8am boat to the isle and arriving at Rock Harbor and departing either the 5th at 245pm or the 6th at 245pm not sure yet. I need some suggestions on campsites/trails to take. This will be my first time on the Isle!

I was thinking this
Day 1 - Arrive at 11:30am at Rock Harbor then hike to Lane Cove
Day 2 - Lane Cove to Daisy farm
Day 3 - Daisy to Moskey Basin
Day 4 - Moskey to Three Mile
Day 5 - Three Mile to Rock Harbor
Day 6 - Catch 245pm boat
Would this be way to strenuous for a first time backpacker and trip to the isle? I was thinking it might be pushing it. Any suggestions? Should I take out Lane Cove?

All suggestions are appreciated I don't have much experience planning a trip.

[jerry]

I really like Lane Cove (try to keep it in). Even though you may be on your first backpacking trip my biggest concern for you is what type of physical shape are you in. Plus you need a good backpack, good tent, good boots (break them in), a good sleeping bag, a water filter and a decent pad to sleep on (others can add to this list). Being a senior citizen (I have my medicare card) I've been thinking about doing a similar trip this year. You have enough time to get yourself in shape and get used to lifting and carrying a backpack that might weigh between 30 and 40 pounds depending on what you want with you on the island. Go for it. jerry

[scotty]

Yeah definitely thanks for the concern. I consider myself to be in pretty good shape I'm 22 and 135lbs I have been trying to run about 6-8 miles a day on elliptical. I've just recently started going on day hikes near my house again. We got like 3 ft of snow not too long ago lol.

I've been saving up for past year this is some of the gear I got so far:
Coleman F1 Ultralight Stove
Titanium Pot/Pan
Granite Gear Compression Sack
Baja Sealine Dry Bag
Kelty Light Year Sleeping Bag: 20 Degree Down. **(This should be good right?)**
http://www.backcountry.com/kelty-light- ... wn-kel0582
MSR Miniworks EX Water Filter **(Is this enough to keep my water healthy? Also anything I should use to complement it?)**
http://www.backcountry.com/msr-miniwork ... ter-filter

I still need a backpack and boots I was considering Osprey Aether 70 or 85?
And for boots I was looking at http://www.backcountry.com/vasque-clari ... -boot-mens
Any suggestions on modestly priced sleeping pad and tent (2P)?

Clothing
TNF Bionic APEX Shell
TNF Venture Rain Jacket
Columbia Long Sleeve Shirt
Fleece 300g
Few SmartWool Hiking Socks
Should I add some clothes or take some away?

[johnhens]

A 20 degree bag will be fine.
The Miniworks is a great filter, I have used it for years. It is a good idea to take it apart at home (Don't loose the little ball!!!) so that you are familiar with it. You may have to clean the cartidge in the field, good idea to try it at home.

Osprey makes a great pack. The key is getting the right size to fit your torso. If you don't know your torso size, have someone measure it. Take your hand a place it on the the top of your hip (open your hand so taht your fingers are on one side and the thumb on the other so that the 'V' between your thumb and index finger are on the hip. Measure to the base of you neck (I beleive this is the 7th vertebrae).

The fleece while warm takes up a lot of room. If you have a down sweater or primaloft filled shell that pack down small, that would be better.

What are you going to use the drybag for?

You could buy a Ridgerest pad that is comfortable and inexpensive. I used one for a long distance hike and it was fine.
Zip off pants are nice.

Don't forget hat and gloves as the mornings can be chilly.

Check Backpacker Forums in the Gear section, folks are always sellng gear.

[Keweenaw]

2 small bits of advice:

If you are still boot shopping you are almost too late! No matter how good they seem to fit out of the box you will need to put a lot of miles on them around home before hitting the trail! Chafing and blisters will ruin a trip faster than anything else.

On a related note, since you say you have no backpacking experience, make sure your pack gets fitted properly by someone who knows what they are doing, and then do as many full-pack miles as you can around home before you leave for the Island.

Bonus tip: Listen to John! The Island can be mighty chilly almost any time of the year if you happen to be near the laksehore on a foggy morning. Of course, it might then be 90 degrees on the ridges the same day!

Bonus tip #2 - don't forget the bug dope - early June means a good possibility of blackflies.

Bob

[scotty]

Thanks John I will definitely go to REI and get fitted to make sure I have the right pack I think I might go with the Osprey Aether 85. I was considering using the drybag to store my camera/phone and spare of socks. Do you think it would be dead weight?

I do have a pair of wool gloves/hat and MHW Mesa convertible pants I forgot to post that on my list! I think I am going to get that RidgeRest pad as well.

I would love to get something lighter than my fleece but I dont think I will be able to afford it this trip though. I wish I had friends who we're backpackers I could borrow some stuff lol.

Thanks Keweenaw! Your definitely right I will need to pick up a pair asap and try wearing them everyday. Theres a 9 mile loop by my house I will be walking it with a full pack as often as I can. My dad gave me some 100% deet and some mosquito head nets hopefully I wont have to use them.

Can anyone shed some light on my itinerary my guidebook/map is being shipped right now. I was looking at the map trying to figure out the milage for each day. I was thinking Day 1 - RB to Lane Cove and Day 2 - LC to Daisy Farm and Day 4 - Moskey Basin to Threemile. I was thinking those days might be a far hike or do you think it is pretty reasonable?

Thanks again for all the help any advice is appreciated! I have been dying to go I haven't shut up about it since last summer lol.

[Keweenaw]

Trail mileages:

http://isleroyaleforums.com/files/mileage_hiking.pdf

If you are in shape the days you have planned are not bad. Lane Cove is an up-and-over the Greenstone, but it is not a particularly tough trail.

Bob

[scotty]

Thanks that pdf is very helpful! How realistic would a trip to Mount Ojibway or Franklin on the 3rd Day on our way to Daisy Farm? How long would it take? Which one would you recommend?

[IncaRoads]

The shortest hike from Lane Cove to Daisy Farm is via the Greenstone Ridge Trail (7.2 mi). This route takes you to both Mount Franklin and Mount Objibway. Enjoy them both!

[scotty]

Oh okay so their part of the trail? I thought maybe you had to go on a detour to climb them. I need to get my books soon so I can read up about the different trails.

[Ingo]

re drybag--ziplocks or aloksak should be fine for camera/phone/socks, especially since immersion won't be an issue (we hope!) I got a couple aloksak for my last trip and liked them, allow didn't test them to any extreme.

[sandystAR]

My first trip to the Island was last year and I am a seasoned (older) hiker and okay. I would also recommend you get out with a full pack and get used to carrying weight. Some of the Osprey packs have interchangeable hipbelts and shoulder harnesses so you can get a great fit for your waist and torso. I would definitely get measured.

water filter - I have not used the MiniWorks. It is a good water filter. I do have a friend who had some problems with hers. I use a Katadyn Hiker Pro and like it. I would suggest you bring some water tablets just in case you have any filter issues.

dry bag - Definitely take a ziplock for your camera. I got caught in a rainstorm from Three Mile to Lane Cove and the viewfinder part of my camera quit working. So I could take pictures but had no idea what I was taking pictures of...luckily it dried out and I was set for the rest of the trip.

The advice on this forum helped me have a very successful trip. Have fun!

[Keweenaw]

water filter - I have not used the MiniWorks. It is a good water filter. I do have a friend who had some problems with hers. I use a Katadyn Hiker Pro and like it. I would suggest you bring some water tablets just in case you have any filter issues.

The MiniWorks is completely field-strippable without tools, so do that at home so you can fix it if necessary. It's possible for a little bit of sediment to get trapped in the ball valve.

Neither purification tablets nor Steripens have been tested against tapeworm eggs, so not a reliable backup.

Bob

[sandystAR]

Yes, the tapeworms.

[sandystAR]

I stand corrected on the MiniWorks water filter. I was thinking of the HyperFlow filter. The MiniWorks is a great filter.