Spring on the shore is gray and foggy and drizzly except when it’s not— the gray and wet North Shore spring is punctuated by these glorious, sunny days. We had a few of those this week.
I’m planning some backpacking trips for this summer! At the very least, I’m hoping to hit the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan. Best case, I’m hoping to do an SHT section this fall too. Planning your first backpacking trip? Here’s a beginner-friendly guide of practical advice!
If you’ve been here a while, you might remember that I worked as a barista at Cedar Coffee in Two Harbors last winter, thus beginning my strong preference for good coffee. This past fall, I was browsing hand grinders for coffee beans and came across VSSL, well out of my price range (which was $0). Now, I don’t usually do this, but I decided to shoot my shot and sent them an email with my Instagram handle basically saying “I am very broke but I would like a very nice hand grinder for camping and it would definitely appear on my Instagram throughout the summer!!!”, to which I expected no reply other than “lol peasant” but they SENT ME ONE!! And, I do have to say, a hand ground pour over of coffee beans that cost 25 for the bag, does taste and hit infinitely better than a normal drip coffee. Worth the groveling, for sure.
I am very, very excited for everything I have planned for the summer, but right now it feels like there’s a million things for me to do between now and the start of it all.
I’ll be guiding part time this summer with Lost Creek Adventures in Cornucopia! I got my start guiding in the Apostle Islands, and after the last two summers out west I’m really looking forward to being back in the islands. For me, there is really just no place that speaks to me like that teal water, the red sea caves, the sandy beaches, all of it. Planning to kayak this summer? Here’s everything you should bring with you!
The very popular Bean & Bear Lakes Hike will be closed this Summer beginning May 15, for trail maintenance and until further notice! Trail renewal projects and closures are something that need to happen with time, erosion, and high usage. Worry not! Check out these 18 other equally awesome North Shore hiking trails!
One of my goals for the summer is to explore Wisconsin’s Driftless area, and maybe the Great River Road! Anything I absolutely must-see?👀
Another summer goal of mine is to get out of my comfort zone on my own terms! In the outdoors, something I really struggle with is pushing my comfort zone for me and only me— I so often feel a lot of pressure to do the gnarliest things because I work as a guide, or because a friend things I’d love it, and I have a really hard time separating what I want to do from what I think I should do. One thing I’m doing to get out of my comfort zone is hosting a women’s guided climbing weekend in Interstate State Park! Come learn to climb, meet other outdoorsy ladies, and support a guide owned and operated new small business (guides supporting guides!). I’ll be camping nearby Friday & Saturday nights, feel free to email me if you’re climbing and want to join the group!
Last week I shared my first audio essay in over a year. I asked how we feel about the audio essay format and the results were overwhelmingly pro-audio essays! (mostly from my mom but also like a few other people too). I’ll be integrating in more audio content over the course of the summer!
Remember the women’s Fall Boundary Waters Trip I’ve been working on putting together 👀? It’s live! This is a SUPER small group trip (max 7!) with two guides (me & another BWCA paddling guide), four days, two nights camping and one night at a lakeside bunkhouse with sauna access! Come learn about cold weather camping, how to read topo maps, canoe travel, and more 💕 (code MADDY24 for $50 off)
Good Links: events, articles, & more!
There are just three spots left on my August Apostle Islands women’s adventure, and six spots for the July dates! Come hang out with me and learn about my favorite sport in the world at my favorite place in the world, code MADDY24 for $50 off registration
Speaking of sea kayaking, if you’re looking to dive into the sport, check out the Freshwater Paddler Symposium June 28-30 in Cornucopia, WI! This event is beginner-friendly with nearby rental options for sea kayaking, and a great way to learn the sport from some of the best ACA Instructors in the Great Lakes. Should be a super fun event bringing together sea kayakers of all skill levels. I’m planning on trying to at least make the fish fry!
Twin Cities folks, got plans for next Sunday👀? Check out the Great Gear Up and Gather at St. Paul Brewing for an outdoor gear swap! (Registration required for trunk sale!)
I’ve been working on a master list of my favorite hiking trails in Michigan, with maps linked! I’ll be headed back this way this summer, both the LP and UP, and I’m stoked for some of the best hiking & swimming trails the States have to offer!
Hi Maddy! I live in Iowa, and if you're planning a long(er) trip to visit the Driftless area of Wisconsin, you might as well cross over the river into Iowa too ;) I spent a long weekend exploring the Driftless a year ago, and I loved every minute of it.
Wyalusing State Park in Wisconsin is right on the river, and the views are incredible. They also have great showers, haha. On the opposite side of the river is Pikes Peak State Park in Iowa, and that's worth a visit if you want to see the views from the other side!
Otherwise - Viroqua, WI is such a cute town and there are a lot of great shops to stroll into. Worth an afternoon visit!
Hope this is helpful! Hope you have a great trip!!
I loved this piece! And I appreciate the vulnerability in sharing how you’re working on trying and doing things you want to do rather than what you think you should be doing based on guide expectations etc. There’s a lesson for all of us in that perspective!