Isle Royale Forums

Other than you visa card. I thought it would be interesting to ask everyone what obscure item they bring with them on to Isle Royale. It's one of those "just in case" items that you always pack.
For me, it is Anti-itch cream, just in case we run into any Poison Ivy (though I've read it's probably not on the island). I don't take chances.
I do break out when I'm hiking into a Mall with my wife, but I have not found a cream that helps that problem. She says it's all in my head.....

Mountain Hardwear Stimulus rain hat - it inevitably rains when I'm on the island and keeping my glasses dry is important to me.

I have to go with my Tilley hat; not so much for rain protection, but to keep my bald spot from sun burning!

Bug spray, except in the fall.

I learned a valuable lesson after my first trip (don't eat a huge meal before you enter rough water). Now I always bring along some Dramamine. Even though it has never been necessary since the first trip, it's always nice to have.

A flask of scotch. Always.

And maybe a few cigars.

Nice, Fonix... Let me know if you ever need a hiking partner!

For me, I'd say my Leatherman Tool.. Handy little bugger for all sorts of things.

Let's see...just in case-type things:

Ditto on the Leatherman
electrical tape
duct tape
small baggie of first aid/medical items
wool hat (MAYBE not in July-August)

I never leave without my dog-eared copy of Walden and other writings of Thoreau. Wonderful reading while eating dinner and enjoying the quiet.

I also never go without my 4 liter collapsible Platypus. I fill it up when I get into camp with filtered water and empty the last of it into my hydration bladder the next morning.

Coffee and tea.

A small 'box' of wine for the first two or three nights. When empty, it folds up small and goes into my garbage bag.

Backup glasses. Do you have any idea how hard it is to read a novel using the magnifying glass end of a Silva Compass held up against one eye while you hold the book two inches away from your face and read line by line?

I carry one of those coughlan's clear collapsible pales for collecting water to let the floaties float and the sinkers sink and i don't get my knees wet when i'm collecting the water

During our trip last Aug/Sep it rained constantly for three days. During this rain, we ran into a fellow on the Greenstone who had not one scrap of rain gear. He was one miserable individual. He told us he had been to I.R. many times in the past and never needed his rain gear, so he left it at home this time. We didn't even have a spare garbage bag to give him. Based on this experience, I would say never, ever, go to I.R. without adequate rain gear.

Well..

Last year, my wife and I ended up packing 4 six packs of our favorite belgium ale, cans of course. YES, and I couldn't believe it either...a case of beer. Unbelievable. And we obviously weren't backpacking!

Ahhh, the luxuries of kayaking!

Besides that, I'd have to say my multi-tool/repair kit.

Regards,

Damon

Spare boat keys.

Damon S wrote:Well..

Last year, my wife and I ended up packing 4 six packs of our favorite belgium ale, cans of course. YES, and I couldn't believe it either...a case of beer. Unbelievable. And we obviously weren't backpacking!

Ahhh, the luxuries of kayaking!

Besides that, I'd have to say my multi-tool/repair kit.

Regards,

Damon

We have got to kayak with you!!!