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Apostle Islands (Read 4588 times)

kheya shunka Ex Member	Apostle Islands Dec 13^th, 2004 at 1:07am	Quote Print Post
	I did a solo kayak trip this past Sept to the A.I. 7 overnights, covered 70+ miles. It's a popular place, seen a lot of sailboaters, other yakkers. Big water of course, it is Lake Superior, I should probably mention that. I had a couple days of 3-4 footers, they seemed 8-10 but... stories always have room to get better. Big open water stretches of 6-7 miles, solitude, good meditations. Great sunsets everynight, neat campsites, I was out in new moon. Stars. Seen bear tracks through camp, must have walked by when I had my back turned. The islands geog, topog are really unique. Not so much a canoe destination, water is cold. I went swimming though, weather was really super. I'll go back...again & again probably. I have read of a yakker group crossing from Two Harbors to the A.I. Many hours on the water...
	« Last Edit: Dec 13^th, 2004 at 7:32am by »

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Yellowbird Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1239 Location: Soddy Daisy, TN Joined: Apr 19^th, 2004	Re: Apostle Islands Reply #1 - Dec 13^th, 2004 at 3:25am	Quote Print Post
	Kheya, Do you take a wet suit or dry suit as precautionary gear on your Superior trips? Just wondering. I've practiced some solo wet entries into my kayak in warmer lakes. I know the Labor day surface temps on Superior can be in the upper 50's. There is a kayak outfitter in Munising MI who guides trips along the Pictured Rocks lakeshore. He has all his clients practice wet entries before departing. The thought of it makes me shiver, but alot of that shoreline has no possibility for a landing and deep water re-entry is a must. I must admit those dry suits look pretty dorky. They remind me of Robin Williams outfit in Mork & Mindy. I draw the line here - (unless they are sold in red/black plad). -YB


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kheya shunka Ex Member	Re: Apostle Islands Reply #2 - Dec 13^th, 2004 at 7:25am	Quote Print Post
	YB- I wear a wetsuit all the time on Superior, even when it was roasting out. Have practiced wet exits/entries and executed countless rolls, with a fully loaded boat, in cold water, in big waves. Effective selfrescue(ideally rolling) is a must, hypothermia happens easy in 50deg water. Rolling is a lot easier than a wet entry, believe it or not, it's easy to learn and kind of fun. In all my many miles of yaking, smooth as glass to 5-7 feet, I have never been turned over accidently. As close as I have come is high waves, with high wind gusts, really have to concentrate on technique, and feel the water.


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wally Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1987 Location: Minni-soda Joined: Apr 3^rd, 2003	Re: Apostle Islands Reply #3 - Dec 13^th, 2004 at 1:05pm	Quote Print Post
	kheya.... Whats the camping like? I sailed through in 1990 on a 10 day sailing trip from Duluth/Superior to Manitowac,WI. I recall them having mostly thick vegetation and rocky/pebbly beaches. Correct? And aren't there just a handful?....how many islands are there? They were beautiful though. A rough day prior on high seas getting out of Superior and a rough Am up and around the peninsula in 6 ft seas....come around the corner and turn South towards Bayfield, the sky opened up, the wind disappeared, and the Islands were quite serene.


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kheya shunka Ex Member	Re: Apostle Islands Reply #4 - Dec 14^th, 2004 at 4:24am	Quote Print Post
	Whats the camping like? Nice. NP service, so there are tent pads, tables, bearboxes (most sites) and toilets (most sites) I recall them having mostly thick vegetation and rocky/pebbly beaches. Correct? Mostly sand beaches to land/launch at the campsites. Some sites you can use the pier, it appears, I did'nt. Most islands are quite large, with extensive hiking trails. Cool light houses, some still have private property. Bears... And aren't there just a handful?....how many islands are there? 20 .. I think some are off limits due to wildlife (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


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wally Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1987 Location: Minni-soda Joined: Apr 3^rd, 2003	Re: Apostle Islands Reply #5 - Dec 14^th, 2004 at 1:12pm	Quote Print Post
	Thanks, sounds great


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asmjock Inukshuk Offline Posts: 641 Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan Joined: Jan 4^th, 2004	Re: Apostle Islands Reply #6 - Dec 17^th, 2004 at 10:54pm	Quote Print Post
	Thanks here, too! I missed a chance to yak the islands a couple of years ago when the other two I was planning with dropped out. I was not comfortable with taking on so many miles in the big water solo, so I backed out too. AI is still on my list... -aj
	« Last Edit: Dec 18^th, 2004 at 12:48am by asmjock »

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