Isle Royale Forums

Moosewatch 2025 dates have been announced

https://www.isleroyalewolf.org/volunteer-moosewatch

I’ve applied! The application asks for a *detailed* account of a recent backpacking trip—my answer included a link to one of my trip reports here!

The first two May trips have good visibility and pretty easy maneuverability in the bush, by the third there's ground cover & bugs. Trip4 the vegetation in the bush was as high as my chest and there was nearly zer0 visibility where you were walking. Highly suggest a hiking staff for Trip#4 above trekking poles.

My Moosewatch application was accepted! (The admissions committee must have let their guard down.) It's for trip #1, which means I'll be on the first boat over to IR from Grand Portage. I'm hoping to keep a trip journal (without too much moose gore on it) to post here afterward.

In the meantime, Moosewatch alumni, please don't keep your advice to yourselves!

I'll see you on the boat, we're getting dropped off in Chippewa Harbor.

Looks like ~20 seats left

torpified wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2025 4:50 pm My Moosewatch application was accepted! (The admissions committee must have let their guard down.) It's for trip #1, which means I'll be on the first boat over to IR from Grand Portage. I'm hoping to keep a trip journal (without too much moose gore on it) to post here afterward.

In the meantime, Moosewatch alumni, please don't keep your advice to yourselves!

As far as Moosewatch suggestions go:

- If you have a handheld Garmin that you can load topo & waypoints it will compliment your map/compass off trail land navigation. Moosewatch leader will have one with their points loaded but if you aren't already 100% on off trail land Nav you will be pretty much an expert after a week in the field. I feel the island terrain was more difficult on my MW#4 than the average Army Land Nav training course, or at least the two I've seen.

- Pack a small backpack/go-bag with a change of clothes. After Moosewatch there's usually an opportunity for a bath (galvanized bucket of warm water and a ladle) and a fresh change of clothes is a welcome touch.

- Pack light, everyone will get a small emergency (SARA) kit and some Moosewatch gear will be distributed between the team. Expect to add some bone weight to your kit throughout the hike to pack out.

- I'm also a big fan of a walking staff as opposed to trekking poles for off-trail hiking but you can usually procure an appropriate branch early on in the season too.

I'm envious, I wanted to do a #1 but jumped on an opening for #4 when someone backed out. Rolf & Candy are amazing people, I suspect the experience will leave a lasting impression on you. I look forward to reading your trip report when I get back home the end of May.

Thanks, that's superhelpful! I'm already looking forward to the bucket/ladle shower.

I'm also curious about your preference for a walking staff. Is part of it that then you have a hand free for navigational aids?

torpified wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 7:24 am Thanks, that's superhelpful! I'm already looking forward to the bucket/ladle shower.

I'm also curious about your preference for a walking staff. Is part of it that then you have a hand free for navigational aids?

I went with a hiking staff over poles (after breaking a pole) because of the flexibility of a staff. I really don't need a pair of poles for balance/support ever, I need something to steady my weight when on uneven ground, or crossing a plank or maybe for leverage when stepping up to higher ground in the backcountry. Both myself and my hiking partner have broken/damaged poles on the island when trying to use one to catch yourself when slipping too. On Moosewatch the pole was priceless because you couldn't see the ground in front of you once you were off trail in most cases, as our group moved in an inverted V type formation through the underbrush I could walk in front and use the pole for "feeling" where I was walking before steeping. Rocks, beaver drags, dry drainage were all easily identified as we moved through the brush, when crossing the back of a feeder creek for a small pond, a couple of our party members became stuck in the deep mud. The hiking staff helped me pull them out by various means. When we are paddling, the staff rides in the boat with me and we pass it around to help steady everyone to enter / exit the rafts. It also does free up a hand when you're moving through the bush to carry your compass (if its not around your neck). The island is full of so many ridges and swamps, straight line navigation rarely happens, so you're constantly checking your azimuth on the compass or GPS to hit that waypoint in search of that random bone pile.

May Moosewatch you will be able to see everything a LOT easier and ground cover really doesn't start to pop out until around Memorial Day so it won't make as much difference. I don't see myself going back to trekking poles anytime soon.

Injured? use it as a crutch
Self Defense? It can be a weapon

RedLeg wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:38 am when crossing the back of a feeder creek for a small pond, a couple of our party members became stuck in the deep mud. The hiking staff helped me pull them out by various means.

Yikes! The application soft-pedalled the quagmire aspect of the project. Now I'm looking forward to the ladle shower even more!

It's not that bad most of the time but the July/Aug temps & bugs wear on you more than the chilly temps of May, or at least for me. We started in Moskey basin, hiked all the way to Wood lake & back.
There were some people who portaged canoes into Whittlesey, the look on the guys face when I popped over the hill was priceless.

torpified wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 7:30 am

RedLeg wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:38 am when crossing the back of a feeder creek for a small pond, a couple of our party members became stuck in the deep mud. The hiking staff helped me pull them out by various means.

Yikes! The application soft-pedalled the quagmire aspect of the project. Now I'm looking forward to the ladle shower even more!