Return to the North Shore

Memories of grandpa and ryan seemed to look down on me from on high. Holding me, carrying me, and pushing me onward into that endless blue beyond the rim. To pursuits, hopes, dreams, and prayers. And so I go, but not alone. A few trips along the North shore. tales and tests........
This was the first time I have backpacked the Superior Hiking Trail alone. And I forgot how demaanding the trail can really be at times. I took the shuttle, which I missed and had to chase across and up the shore for a wee bit before practically cutting the poor fella off at the next stop in order to hitch a ride. So a few revised plans later, I got dropped off at Silver bay and trekked the 17.6 miles back to Split rock river wayside. The weather over the two days was very Hot And very Humid! But bearable none the less.
The majority of the hike followed the spines of some very high rock outcroppings and cliffs that looked inland for miles and miles. The view was even complete with a small train snaking in and out through the north woods, heading west for more Iron ore. It reminded me of my granfathers train board. With how small the tree's looked when your 400 feet above them. I even found a type of old moss or Lichen the next day, that is used on toy train boards for foliage and trees. grandpa seemed omni-present on this trip. I don't why, but it felt that way. Thank God I brought his hat with.
A few small things to note. As one of the main reasons for this Hike was a gear test. One- My new Backpack, a Northface summit series Catalyst 75. It looks like the Cadillac of backpacks. It is fully loaded and has some great options, to many to list. It was rated as the best trekkers backpack from backpacker magazine 2 years in a row now. But what they don't tell you about the award winning suspension system is how loud it is. I love the look of this bag and what it can carry for you. And how accessible it is. But it was terrible on the trail. It is louder then a old barn on a windy day. It is near impossible to interact with nature or enjoy that quiet stillness we all seek from it, with this bag on. Seriously, 2 weeks later my sis and I were hiking from Temperance to Caribou river wayside. And there was a moose up the trail from us. We tried to sneak up on it, but every step I took was worse then walking in an old attic. I almost sounded like one of those one man bands. With every imaginable instrument strapped to any real estate possible.
Needless to say the moose practically tore down half the trees in its panic to get away from me. While my sister stood giggling behind me. Each tip toed step sounded like ( KKKCCCRRREAAAAAAUUUUGHHHHKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Chipmunks, squirrels, and birds of every type fled before me as if I were a raging forest fire. They should market this bag for people who don't want to accidentally sneak up on a grizzly the size of your car standing on its bumper. On top of the noise issue half the bag fell apart on me 2 trips later. So thumbs down on the Northface Catalyst 75. Unless you want to carry around a good supply of duct tape and an oiling can. Pass on this beauty. Hiking in it was worse then chinese water torture. although I am headed to china,,,,,,,,,Hopefully I won't have to compare notes.
What I did like was the tent. A tarptent rainbow 2. It wieghs in at 2 and a half pounds and delivers in every way. I also loved having a water bladder for the first time trkking in the last 10 years. What can i say I'm a bit old fashioned but am slowly coming around. It's the simple pleasures. The Iodine worked wonders for me. Especially the chlorinated pills to take away that lovely Iodine taste, we all love so much. I cupped out soupy water from a small beavers holding pond, that was filled with intersesting beatles and dead floating spidersand other interesting edible wonders. But I didn't get Giardia from this watering hole....... it was the only one. It was like walking into the lions den-at least as far as fetching water from the most non-reliable and sure to be contaminated source. But no problems. In my North shore photos in my photo album. I think I have a picture of my water bladder once it was filled. And thats the natural color. I called it Beaver whisky. Other then that I trekked with two trekking poles for the first time. It was alittle akward at first. And I really felt like an outdoor geek. Instead of a pen protector, two hiking poles. But I have to say they make a huge difference in going up hills and down hills. they gave me more energy to go further and faster even. And my knees and back were't half as sore at the end of the day as they normally would be. They really did make a difference. So they also got a thumbs up.
Other then that the two trips went well. The first from Silver Bay to Split Rock river wayside was maybe the best off trail campsite with a view of lake superior I have ever had. The photos are of that campsite. The rock promenade where I ate and journaled had a view that rolled out with no end in sight. It was a real present at the end of a long day. The second time trekking with Michelle. I wasn't so lucky. We set up at dusk under a few pines that really was in the North woods. But it worked out just as well. Hot tea and cigar around a small fire surrounded by eve's dropping ferns on every side was a comfort in itself. It felt like a fairy tale. I kept waiting for a troll to come lumbering up out of one of the old rotted trees that surrounded our lillte nook in the north.
We might not have sen a troll but we definatly saw quite the collection of catepillars. One of which, A large green one that I hve a photo here of. I actually ate one of these when I was a little guy. I thought it was a toy till my mom pulled it out of my mouth, with all it's green guts,,,,,,,iiiiickkkkk!!!! I already got the willies just remembering that tramatic experience. Its been 20+ years since I've seen one. I think they modeled the chubby catepillar in a bugs life after this guy. its about as thick and long as my thumb...... Yummy!! That memory aside. the hikes went Well other then a few small mishaps, I got a new bag Now an Arcterx. Hoping this one works out better. Nepal approaches. 16 days. Till that day, take care -Jeremy.

North Shore Notes...

Sitting for a photo before Dinner. This campsite is right on the trail. About five miles north of split rock wayside. It is only big enough for one 2 man tent though. Unless you feel like sleeping under the stars. Which isn't a bad option. Weather considered. I lucked out and had a storm pass within a mile and then watched for another hour as it pushed out into the lake.
Another area of note was About 3 miles north of caribou river wayside. The superior hiking trail travels for about a mile through a beautifull aspen forest. With stunning views of the lake beyond. A great place to photograph or paint. And a short Hike from the car.