Isle Royale Forums

The webcam has been down since January 14th. I've been keeping an eye on the Ranger III and I believe it hasn't left Houghton yet this year, but it appears the park's LCM is now at Mott.

Yup, the LCM went out today (well yesterday, Friday).

Looks like a cozy morning on the island...

Wow.... I knew they did maintenance stuff on Mott Island, but repainting the dock bright white is a nice touch. I'm sure it makes seeing it on the Ranger III easier.... ; )

They painted in Houghton/Hancock also!

http://www.mtu.edu/webcams/fund/

Good thing the shut-down has been averted.

I was really excited about the camera coming online -- until I had a look. EGADS! I'm arriving in 9 days. I wasn't expecting summer, but I wasn't planning to pack my snow gear either. Will I posthole? Will I need crampons?? Will I need to slither on my belly across ice-clad expanses of granite/boardwalk??? Finally, IS THIS NORMAL?

torpified wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2017 5:21 pm I was really excited about the camera coming online -- until I had a look. EGADS! I'm arriving in 9 days. I wasn't expecting summer, but I wasn't planning to pack my snow gear either. Will I posthole? Will I need crampons?? Will I need to slither on my belly across ice-clad expanses of granite/boardwalk??? Finally, IS THIS NORMAL?

As of today, I wouldn't be surprised if you find some appreciable snow in very shady low laying areas. All other areas, especially exposed ridges should be open, but do expect a lot of puddles and mud. Things could change, namely it could get colder and snow some more but if you stay flexible and dry you'll be OK. I'd leave your ice climbing gear at home but I would take extra clothes in order to stay dry. I always keep in my emergency kit a means to start a fire easily. For me that's a heavy duty zip lock plastic bag full of dryer lint with about half of it soaked in candle wax. It weighs almost nothing.

Not trying to turn you off at all but a Michigan Tech Student died last night of hypothermia on a hiking trip near the Huron Mountains. He got lost from his group. They found him alive but were unable to warm him before help arrived.

Provide the means to stay warm but most especially dry and you'll be fine.

very, very sad about the Michigan Tech student. And thanks for the preparation suggestions -- I am beefing up my kit, all the way down to footwear, in anticipation of cold, wet conditions.

Midwest Ed wrote: ↑Sun Apr 30, 2017 12:21 am For me that's a heavy duty zip lock plastic bag full of dryer lint with about half of it soaked in candle wax. It weighs almost nothing.

Nice! My go-to kindling set is a ziplock with cotton balls rolled in Vaseline.