I remember finding a wood tick stuck on the hairline of my neck over 30 years ago when I first moved to Minnesota. I was a teenager from Southern California and didn't even know what a tick was! Its the only time I've ever had an attached tick and can still feel it... Today's post … Continue reading Tick Prevention on the Trail
Escape to the Woods: Our North Shore Tiny House Adventure!
Im writing this on a gray Minnesota day, with a belly full of coffee and a Tobie's Cinnamon Roll as big as my head by my side. Since returning from our Superior Hiking Trail 100 Mile Hike, I have been working on slowing down a bit and recalibrating. Don't worry, I have some projects coming … Continue reading Escape to the Woods: Our North Shore Tiny House Adventure!
Lightweight Backpacking Tips: 5 ways I reduced my pack weight – Including packing list
FUN NEWS! Our Superior hiking Trail adventure is being featured all week as a series on the BSA Instagram page. Volunteering with our son's Boy Scout Troop has provided me with opportunities that have ignited a passion for the outdoors and empowered me to pursue adventure both inside and outside of Scouting activities. I'm grateful … Continue reading Lightweight Backpacking Tips: 5 ways I reduced my pack weight – Including packing list
Hike 52: Our Superior Hiking Trail Route
Guess what came in the mail last Saturday, on National Public Lands Day?! My North Country Trail 100 mile Challenge Patch! The North Country Trail is a footpath that is 4,600 miles(7,400 km) long from Crown Point in eastern New York to Lake Sakakawea State Park in central North Dakota. Thats almost as long as the … Continue reading Hike 52: Our Superior Hiking Trail Route
Superior Hiking Trail 100 Miler
We've been home for a week! The blisters are healed, toenails looking normal but the knees are still creaking from coming down Carlton Peak. Here's a video of our adventure and some final thoughts below. If you are not subscribed already, stay tuned for an upcoming post about our route, packing list and how … Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail 100 Miler
Day 7: Coming Off the Trail Early
Last night I decided I was done. We had hiked the 20ish miles between Mystery Mountain And Temperance River State Park in about 8.5 hours minus breaks and had been at camp for about an hour when I told my sister I was out. We were due to head inland the next day and I … Continue reading Day 7: Coming Off the Trail Early
Day 6: The Sawtooths! 6 Mountains in 20 Miles
The Trail is characterized by ascents to rock outcroppings and cliffs, and descents into numerous river and creek valleys. Most rivers and streams are crossed by bridges. Overlooks of Lake Superior, the Sawtooth Mountains and inland woodlands, lakes and rivers are abundant. The Trail follows rivers and creeks, often for distances of a mile or … Continue reading Day 6: The Sawtooths! 6 Mountains in 20 Miles
Day 5: Superior Hiking Trail. Town Day!
Got up at 5:30 and started working on my feet in the tent with my headlamp poor Bear. They are healing up and feeling much better but I still taped them up good with some of the supplies that John and Megan gave us. We shared the breakfast gift from my coworkers and left camp … Continue reading Day 5: Superior Hiking Trail. Town Day!
Day 4: Devil Track, Pincushion and Skydiver Dude!
Time to switch to the next map! Woke up a few times in the night with a really sore shins. The outer muscle of my lower legs really hurts and had to stretch a lot in the middle of the night. We hope to make it to North Bally tonight I think thats 17 miles … Continue reading Day 4: Devil Track, Pincushion and Skydiver Dude!
Day 3: Lake Walk and Woods Creek
Each day I think I will wake up feeling better and stronger, but instead...a new part of my body hurts. This will pass, thankful for ibuprofen. This trail is no joke. Its all up and down with rocks and roots and we welcome the flat stretches when the come. We said farewell to … Continue reading Day 3: Lake Walk and Woods Creek
Day 2: Judge Magney State Park
Got a late start but caught up with our new friends Susan and Ainsley on the trail. Made up time on two road walks but its still going to be hard to get in 18 miles before tonight. Bear got stung by another hornet in the Hovland forest and has the trail name "hornet bait" … Continue reading Day 2: Judge Magney State Park
Day 1-Superior Hiking Trail Thru Hike
Hike 52 starts now! We made it! Mom dropped us off at the Northern Terminus and we are excited to hit the trail! Not much time or reception for blogging but a longer post will follow after our trip with details on our route, etc. Yay! The end of the SHT, and the beginning of … Continue reading Day 1-Superior Hiking Trail Thru Hike
Making Your Own Dehydrated Backpacking Meals
There are so many options for pre-made dehydrated meals , but making your own trail food doesn't have to be hard and you'll feel proud that you did it yourself! Its been a couple of weeks since my marathon food prep weekend for our thru hike of the Superior Hiking Trail and I'm excited to finally share … Continue reading Making Your Own Dehydrated Backpacking Meals
5 Gear Hacks and How to Lighten Your Load Without Breaking the Bank
Lately I have been doing less writing about the trail and more about skills I've learned as we prepare for our first thru hike. We are counting down the days until we hit the Superior Hiking Trail, so gear and food have been top of mind. Still staying as active as possible but MYOG (making … Continue reading 5 Gear Hacks and How to Lighten Your Load Without Breaking the Bank
Update on Hikers Rash and More Thru Hike Prep
The last two weeks have been busy, balancing work, family, making new gear, dehydrating food and a final thru-hike shakedown on the Superior Hiking Trail with an amazing group of women. I plan to post on our trip prep soon, but am starting with an update on my previous post about Hiker's rash. It's neck and … Continue reading Update on Hikers Rash and More Thru Hike Prep
Shakedown #1 and Tarptent Saddle 2
Shakedown hikes and backpacking trips are the best way you can train yourself to become a confident backpacker or day hiker. They provide a low pressure setting for you to practice new skills, learn how to use your gear, plan a hike, and develop the physical fitness required to hike all day with a backpack. -Section … Continue reading Shakedown #1 and Tarptent Saddle 2
Gear Review: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
Here it is! My first shot at writing a dedicated gear review. I have written quick reviews and recommendations embedded in trip reports that mostly express discovering nifty things or gear I found a good deal on…but wanted to challenge myself to focus on writing a review about ONE piece of gear. So why not … Continue reading Gear Review: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
Backpacking and Day Hiking on the North Shore – Part 2: Split Rock, Palisade Head and George Crosby Manitou State Park.
How do you describe the beauty of a place where heaven and earth join seamlessly? Or the mind trap of telling yourself over and over again that this massive body is not the ocean or an endless sea? Or the magnetic-siren-pull of her waters that make you want to jump in and crash like … Continue reading Backpacking and Day Hiking on the North Shore – Part 2: Split Rock, Palisade Head and George Crosby Manitou State Park.
Backpacking on the North Shore – Part 1: Testing My New Pack and SHT Packing List!
I'm still mentally and spiritually unpacking my trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior. It was so beautiful, I'm at a bit of a loss for words, but they will eventually come. So, lucky for you, this will be a two part post! One of the first things I did when I decided … Continue reading Backpacking on the North Shore – Part 1: Testing My New Pack and SHT Packing List!
Making Your Own Ultralight Backpack!
Have you ever thought about making your own backpacking gear? This week's post is about my experience sewing an ultralight backpack. There are lots of reasons to do it yourself, including: financial, weight savings, customization and just learning something new! If you have been reading in the last 6 months, you already know that … Continue reading Making Your Own Ultralight Backpack!