Camping, backpacking, hiking, et al

[lukethedrifter]

I've been to Isle Royale. The wolves are about to die out due to disease, in-breeding, and general bad luck (young females fell into an old copper mine and died). Much debate about letting nature take its course, or re-introducing new wolves to the mix.

A friend was just up there last month. Said there are 2 left.

[Gashouse]

I've been to Isle Royale. The wolves are about to die out due to disease, in-breeding, and general bad luck (young females fell into an old copper mine and died). Much debate about letting nature take its course, or re-introducing new wolves to the mix.

A friend was just up there last month. Said there are 2 left.

I couldn't remember if it was down to 2 or 3. At this point, I assume they'll let them die off and then think about re-introducing a whole new pack. Even though the moose population in MN and MI is declining, I doubt they'd want the population there growing to the point of starving itself.

In my one visit there roughly 20 years ago, we were hiking along but must not have been making much noise. We came around a corner and found ourselves right in between a moose cow and her calf. All the mammals involved were pretty startled. We slowly but quickly backed away and let them walk ahead a ways. We eventually caught up with them, but they were just up the hill grazing and didn't really care much as we hiked by.

[Freed Roger]

IIRC- old grb friend HJ was a fan of Isle Royale

[lukethedrifter]

yep

[UK]

Isle Royale is my favorite national park. I've hiked it but my bucket list consists of kayaking around it.

[Freed Roger]

Isle Royale is my favorite national park. I've hiked it but my bucket list consists of kayaking around it.

That sounds like a lot of fun. I'm going to look into that place.

[humblebrag]Made my first trip to Boundary Waters last month, so I think Isle Royale would be a natural progression. Been to North Manitou Island to backpack twice -met a guy on that Island (with 2 young sons) who was attempting to kayak around it. They had just made it back to the ferry dock after being stranded on a point and having to wait out the wind and waves for a couple days. they were in pretty good spirits, even though their faces were full of bug bites. Anyways, as you know- the weather is a factor to that activity.

The "bucket list" is long for me. But taking advantage of the seasons is key with doing it . can't beat going up North or to the Rockies in the Summer - though when I get back home it amplifies how unpleasant outdoorsy activities in the MO summer.

It's like the [expletive] Amazon in the woods down here now, with every living thing doing battle to survive. a recent 12 mile jaunt thru the woods was great -except for being soaked in sweat & depleted by the stenching heat&humidity, & poisonous vegetation, snakes, spider webs on the trail, being buzzed by flies and skeeters. No wonder I had it all to myself.

[Freed Roger]

from a trail camera at Shaw Nature Reserve about 40 miles west of STL.

[IMADreamer]

That looks like a scary critter.

[thrill]

That's a large ass bobcat.

[Freed Roger]

The election, Cubs, super-predators encircling us - I'm not worried