Like many could-be backpackers, Chicago attorney, Pedro, covered countless miles with his friends on numerous day hikes. He’d often see backpackers glide past, wondering what it would be like to actually backpack. He knew he wanted to learn the skills required for getting out on the trail for more than just a day, so decided to follow his dreams of backpacking. He wanted it bad enough that he was willing to drive the 10 hours from Chicago to stunning Grand Marais in Northern Minnesota, where we launched his First-Time Backpacking Trip.
Read MoreAngela, a recent custom-trip client, is starting a long solo journey on the trail today, and I wanted to reflect on our time together on the trail.
Angela’s 3-night custom trip was focused on getting her prepared to tackle several sections of the Superior Hiking Trail over a 2-week period, which she is bravely doing solo.
Read MoreEven on day 18 of my 21-day hike along the John Muir Trail, I was never certain that I would finish my hike. Anything could happen, and it did.
Read MoreI have a tradition of grabbing a photo of clients once they are fully suited up, wearing their pack with poles in hand and the car locked, the moment we leave civilization behind. It’s a pretty sweet moment, as you can tell by Sarah's expression. The very next step is literally onto the trail, commencing the trip into days of wilderness and our own tenacity.
Read MoreWe had a tremendous bird’s-eye view over stunning Lake Superior and lovely Isle Royale from the windows of our tiny amphibious Cessna floatplane out of Minnesota through Isle Royale Seaplanes, flying over retired lighthouses and historic shipwrecks, visible from the air. Once we landed at 9:30 am, we got our permit at the Ranger Station and bought cooking fuel at the Windigo General Store, and immediately started our 5-day traverse of the island, logging 54 stunning miles of wilderness.
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