Porkies Backpacking 10/23-10/25

From: Mary Collins
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Let's go backpacking!

The weekend of October 23-25, I will lead a group up to the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula for a quick backpacking weekend. http://www.exploringthenorth.com/porkiesum/summer.html The trip will leave Friday morning (Oct 23) from Park Street Circle and return to campus Sunday night (Oct 25). No backpacking experience required; beginners welcome. As Ryan Schmudlach said in his Sporkies announcement (http://hooferoutingclub.blogspot.com/2009/10/spookysporkporkiessporkies-2009.html), the Porkies are a gem of Midwestern backpacking....the 60,000 acre wilderness area is a sanctuary for hikers who seek the solitude and quiet (or lack thereof) of deep woods and who delight in observing millions of years of dramatic geomorphology from the door of their tent. The 35,000 acres of unlogged old-growth forest within the park is the largest such expanse between the Appalachian mountains and the Rockies. You have to see these giant trees for yourself in order to truly appreciate their immensity. Also, there's a je ne sais quois about being up north that shouldn't be overlooked.

This is a great first trip for beginners and a fun trip for experienced 'packers. We'll sleep at a lake one night (possibly Superior, possibly small, secluded Mirror Lake. Both offer potentially refreshing [read: freezing!] swimming experiences). Hiking mileage for the weekend will be ~15-20 miles. Temperatures will range from the high 40s to low 30s. You need a 20 degree rated sleeping bag (at least; a sleeping bag liner couldn't hurt), hiking boots, and non-cotton clothing (synthetic material, wool). The club will provide backpacks, stoves, tents, sleeping pads, water filters, and food. Cost will be $60 per person for non-drivers, less for drivers. If interested, please email me at mcoll628@gmail.com. In your email, please indicate whether or not you have a car and can drive, if you have ever been backpacking before, and any food allergies/preferences.

The size of the trip will depend on the number of car seats available, but I will set a limit at 10 people. There will be a waiting list. Email me with any questions.



Mary Collins
mcoll628@gmail.com