Human powered sports, travel, and adventure.
Information about backpacking.
If you want to keep your bicycle water bottles and hydration bladders sanitary, and tasting and smelling fresh, then you need to clean them regularly. This article shows you how to remove that funky smell from your favorite water bottle using Bottle Bright Natural Cleaning Tablets without using harsh chemicals or bleach, leaving them squeaky clean! …
Piers Gorge Hiking Trail The Piers Gorge hiking trail is short, only about a mile and a half, making for a 3 mile out and back hike. Piers Gorge, located on the Michigan-Wisconsin border, is formed by the Menominee River. The name is derived from the waterfalls that jut out across the river like …
I’ve had my Klean Kanteen 40 oz. wide mouth stainless steel water bottle since 2008. It’s not sexy, it’s not expensive, and it’s not the item that most gear heads would ever brag about. But it is reliable, durable, and trustworthy. Exactly what you want in a backpacking partner. Klean Kanteen makes a variety of …
South Manitou island is located in Lake Michigan about seven miles from Leland, Michigan and is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It was once inhabited and home to farming and logging and was an essential re-fueling stop during the steamship era on the Great Lakes. During the 1970’s it became part …
I was sitting on the dock at North Manitou Island, waiting for the ferry to take me back to the mainland, when I overheard a conversation between two national park rangers. They were talking in hushed tones about how, the night before, another ranger on South Manitou island had apparently gone berserk, brandished his …
(Updated May 13, 2018) North Manitou Island is a popular backpacking destination due to its easy access and being one of only a few designated wilderness areas in the Midwest. Many backpackers who visit North Manitou try to hike as much of the island as possible and to see as many attractions as possible. Depending …
North Manitou Island is located eight miles off the coast of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. To get there requires a ferry ride, an overnight stay, and planning. With that in mind, visitors often ask, “What are the things to do on North Manitou Island?” Backpacking and Hiking on North Manitou Island North Manitou Island …
What are Hiking Crampons? Hiking crampons are designed to add traction to hiking boots. Unlike mountaineering crampons, they are flexible to permit long distance walking. Strictly speaking, in the mountaineering world, hiking crampons don’t exist but rather they are called “traction devices”. But for the rest of us we call them crampons, trails spikes or …
In some circles, trekking poles are considered “Nerdy”. The fact is that they can help make your hiking or backpacking safer and easier on your body. Why You Need Trekking Poles More stability on ice, snow, mud, wet leaves, loose sand gravel, scree. Added power going uphill. Safer when descending hills, steps, and drop-offs. …
The Altra Lone Peak NeoShell is the water resistant, insulated version of the Lone Peak. While billed as a trail running shoe, the Altra Lone Peak has become a popular favorite in the ultralight backpacking community. Speaking of favorites, see how and why Altra became my favorite shoe. Using a waterproof yet breathable membrane fabric …
One evening after an easy three-mile walk, I began to limp. My left foot had developed a pain on the outside edge near the base of the little toe. This pain came out of nowhere. I was perplexed as I hadn’t done anything noticeable. I typically went for a three mile walk each evening after …
Nestled high up in the Smoky Mountains is Mount LeConte Lodge. Named after the peak that is sits on, the lodge is only accessible by foot. Mount LeConte Lodge offers tremendous panoramic views of the Smoky Mountain National park and since one must hike at least a few hours to access the lodge, it is …
UPDATE – The ferry to North Manitou is running again after being shut down due to COVID-19 in 2020. Introduction Be sure to check out Things to do on North Manitou Island as well as Things to see on North Manitou Island. Backpacking North Manitou Island Located 8 miles offshore from Lake Michigan’s Sleeping Bear …