TR! newbie at Pictured Rocks sucks...wit h pics!

“Normally it is the trip organizer, in this case Tarabull, who begins the trip report. However, I have the day off so I'm going to begin with my version.

I have an 8-10 hour drive from NW Wisconsin to Munising, dependent on traffic and weather. I chose to drive up Thursday. On the way I stopped at Tarabull's to give her the key to my car..more about that later. The house she and Nonconformist have is wonderful! Anyway, it was the first time I had met her. I don't think I shut up for the entire time I was there...maybe almost an hour! Poor Tarabull. Anyway, I finally showed some mercy and left. I had a motel room in Munising. Temps that night hovered around freezing...at some point it even rained a bit but during the night the temps fell. Very little snowcover...maybe 3 inches, if that, at Pictured Rocks.

I drove to the TH just before 11am where cow patty was meeting me. She spent Thursday night alone at the campground. Collected a hug and she very kindly hauled my sled in. The only reason you would need snowshoes with so little snowcover is for traction. I wore my Yaktrax and gave cow patty my boot chains. Tarabull had the key to my car as she was going to spread my gear among the others to bring down but cow patty took almost all of it! What a woman! and she's a great trailcook too! more about that later.

On the way down we met Tom and Ron who were hiking back to their vehicles parked 2/3rds of the way to the TH..they were going to haul wood back on a sled...nice! Collected some hugs.

There was so little snow that I could stake the tent out. Not normal for winter camping in Jan in the U.P.

Folks began to trickle in, set up and I collected more hugs...this is my job......I can't remember the order. I do remember a white Suburu Outback coming down the hill. It was fearless Tarabull. Prosecutor said, if I remember, that she "had balls".....Tarabull told me later some had thought it had to be a guy driving...yeah...right!

She dropped off wood, white gas, her packed sled, the rest of my gear and then drove back up to the trailhead to hike down. You can't trust lake effect snowfalls.

There was the usual thirst saved by laqtis's cans of beer. A fireplace was chosen, food consumed, set-ups completed, meals eaten...the usual. cow patty made pineapple upside down cake which she does to perfection. It was very windy. In point of fact, the wind drove all the heat from the fire so I retired early. Later that night I could hear the open waters of Lake Superior pounding the shoreline a mile away...it is very quiet at Pictured Rocks in winter...lovely!

It never got very cold...somewhere in the teens at night, I would think, with highs in the 20's.

Next morning more socializing. It's one of the reasons I love our group trips...it's such a gas to meet new people, reconnect with old ones, show off gear, talk trips and do all the things we do...

At some point everyone left to do various dayhikes. I spent the day around camp and, at sometime, Mountainrunner showed up...it was good to see him again and unlike the first time I met him, he stayed! Good New Year's resolution, Mountainrunner!

Slowly everyone wandered back to camp...I guess they had split up but it sounds like each group did a few miles...something between 9-11!

A car, CAR! drove down...it only had front wheel drive...I guess it was a guy and 2 girls from Chicago...they were planning to camp Saturday and Sunday nights...

Ron, who was one of my neighbors, started laughing his head off...big hoots of laughter...Tom kept asking him what was so funny, Ron would say "you know" and Tom would say he didn't...this went on for some time...I had no idea what was going on...

cow patty made fudge..bottles appeared and we all met Ron's Rachel...



Let it suffice to say there was much frivolity and cavorting around the fire...for details, see my pictures...they all have titles...

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/557051966YKjxVp

Next morning, Lorax hiked out early as he was going to bring his 4-wheel drive SUV down and haul my ass back to the trailhead. I felt foolish but knew it just would not be good for me to try to hike out. I was able to judge things well as I didn't have anything go wrong with my health this trip...backpackers are wonderful people...I enjoyed this trip so much and without the help from others, it never would have happened...

The Chicago car had taken off, after a few false starts, to climb out of there before Lorax and I left. He drove very cautiously expecting to meet them at every turn. I guess they had a tough time at the last hill which has a sharp turn and only made it, barely, after a few tries.

I stopped at the Melstrand General Store as I want to find someone with a sled to hire to bring me in and out next time. He didn't know anyone but I'm sure someone could be found.

Saw Tarabull's car at the Bear so joined them for apres-trail stuffing and more hugs.

I then began the drive to Bessemer, near Ironwood, where I planned to stay for the night. It began snowing, pretty hard, about halfway there...it wasn't pleasant driving with all the swirling snow and little traffic...especially when it got dark...I was very glad to get into Bessemer as the snow was really coming down. They were expecting lots of it and when I woke up, that's what I saw, lots...and, it was still really coming down. It was no fun until I got almost to Hayward...one of those 40mph drives...the Saturn is so light it just slides around...next time it's AWD for this kid...

So, that's my trip report...I'm sure I'm forgetting something...

That car from Chicago will probably be there until spring. Either that or I hope he has lots of cash on him...as Lorax said, it doesn't look like the locals take credit cards...
last edited: 1/16/07 3:13:09 PM”

“Good report, MH. Next time there's a trip, I may sign up and we can car pool. You could expend some of your 40,000 words before you even get there:)”

“Great pics Mata! Sounds like a good time was had by all!”

“What a great time!

Thanks to all (and Ms. Bull) for sharing your trail time with me. I had a blast and learned many things on this trip.

Hopefully everyone is back safe. I'll try and get my pics up tomorrow, cause I gotta leave for work right now.”

“A great time and some great planning for sections a few of us have not done yet.

Thanks for putting this together Tarabull”

“Ron in the above picture had been kidding everyone for years on his hikes that the reason that he spent so much time in his tent was because of Rachael, his blow up doll. Now we know the truth. He says someone planted the doll in his sleeping bag when he was out hiking. Who knows.

Later, around the campfire was Ron, Rachael (the blow up doll) and a few Trail Talk hikers in on the joke. A stranger not in on the joke walked into the campfire area and started to look around. When the stranger saw the life sized doll, he stared, and slowly backed away from the fire silently, and left. That doll is better than a tuba in keeping people away.

As to the three people from Chicago that drove the hybred electric car all the way to the campsite, they should have known better seeing all the SUV four wheel drive vehicles parked at the trailhead over three miles away. They moved the car the next morning, but it took three tries to make it up the first hill. Monday it snowed quite heavily, with up to a foot of new snow forecasted. The hybred would still be there if they had not moved it.

BLISS-ter and I backpacked to Chapel Beach for Sunday night, while Cow Patty, Ron, and Croft (Sue) stayed at Little Beaver Lake Campgrounds and they just dayhiked to Chapel after driving to the trailhead. They ate Sunday dinner at the Bear Trap Tavern down the road just past Melstand.

A good time was had by all. Ron took the joke very well (assuming he did not bring the doll himself in the first place).

My photos:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/557044309bLOpMu”

“Big breasts: how to distinguish between fake and real

http://www.funreports.com/fun/15-01-2007/1471-Big_breasts-0
May not be worksafe.
last edited: 1/16/07 7:25:09 PM”

“For the record..... I was never in Rachels company. I'm not sure how.... but Mataharihiker must have super-imposed Rachel in my Picture.”

“they say confession is good for the soul.....ante up mountainrunner..........you had a twinkle in your eye in that pic... ;)”

“For the good of the group, I would like you to know that the Chicago contingent is alive and well. The car was left at the top for the last night, and after many warm-up hikes, we wimped out of Monday night and hauled the car home. Not until after a good second try at cross-country skiing though. It was wonderful meeting you all this weekend, but especially Rachel (sorry, I don't usually pick favorites, but it's so obvious that she's the cutest). Hopefully we'll do it again next year, but we'll be looking for better gear first (like maybe four wheel drive and some chains on our wheels, for example). Thanks a bunch for all of the expert guidance. We wouldn't have gotten out alive without you all.”

“HBananas...so glad to read you guys left the car at the trailhead Sunday night...all joking aside, I was concerned...did you get a lot of snow Sunday night? I'm one of the ones who never met you guys...I was in the lime green tent nearest to the fire who went to bed before you joined the rest of the group...sorry I missed you...

Bliss-ter said you guys had some tough trails for sleds along the Chapel trail, Prosecutor...snowless stairs would not be good for my sled...

What a smart idea stopping at the Bear Trap for Sunday dinner...I would like to say I appreciate Ron's idea of comfortable camping...there's a man who knows how to maintain his comfort level no matter where he is....

I still think it's great that 11 people got together in January to spend a week-end outside in the U.P....my co-workers cannot believe that there are 10 others as crazy as me....little do they know...

I don't see how you can deny you were kinda partial to Rachel, Mountainrummer...I'm just not that good at photoshopping...fess up...we know how you are...”

“Where's dem Pictured Rocks?”

“Good to hear you had a great time everyone!

I remember my first overnighter with Tarabull and Cowpatty...the wind was horendous! I swore alot and stayed in tent alot. Finally, Tarabull and Cowpatty talked me into moving across the lake into some pines at which point, I got out of the tent, zipped it up with everything in it, de-staked it, and dragged it across the lake. After we surrounded ourselves with pines, Cowpatty made desert and if I remember right, it was apple something or another, and it was delicious! She is an AWESOME cook!

I wish I would have been able to join you all. I would have loved meeting Rachel. She seems like my type!”

“Looks like ya all had fun. Did Q bring his scotch to share?”

“Yes, Q's scotch was mighty fine sipping scotch.”

“Q? He brought the whole damn bar! LOL!”

“Haha! That's what I like about him.”

“Yep! At one point I expected him to open his coat to let us see dozens of tiny alcohol bottles, lol.”

“lmao!

What a great time.

Thanks to you, nigal, and bearmag for the great scotch advice.”

“Did ya end up liking it? I felt real bad about you running out and buying the bottle.”

“Thanks for the TR Matahari. Looks like you all had a great time.

Lorax is nuts!
First the avatar on the other side and now Rachel, lol.”

“"Did ya end up liking it? I felt real bad about you running out and buying the bottle."


I really gave it a shot, but it just didn't agree with me. No worries; it still might make it into the bar on the bigger trips. Besides, other people enjoyed it, so all was not lost. ;)”

“Great report and pictures!

Thanks for sharing everyone”

“Good stuff. Be sure to look at MountainRunner's thread, too.

So... how did Bliss-ter keep his tent warm? Propane tent heater?”

“"So... how did Bliss-ter keep his tent warm? Propane tent heater?"

I believe that is correct.”

“Prosecutor said both Bliss-ter and Ron used this heater:
http://www.summitcampinggear.com/coblpocahe.html”

“BLISS-ter had a 3,000 BTU high setting, 1,500 low setting catalytic heater, like the one in the above link.

BLISS-ter said he would put it on high for 7 to 8 minutes, and then turn it to low for the rest of the time, turning it off when he went to sleep. He was comfortable in his tent in his underwear at that setting. One only need to unzip the door a little to provide the book recommendation of three square inches of ventilation since the catalytic heaters are so efficient. I tried the 1,500 BTU model, which works great in my ice fishing tent, but would only heat my mountain camping tent up to 50 degrees. I would recommend the one that BLISS-ter used. Ron uses one like BLISS-ter has and says, "Where is it written that one has to be cold in winter camping".”

“I tried the 1,500 BTU model, which works great in my ice fishing tent, but would only heat my mountain camping tent up to 50 degrees.

prosecutor
----------------

ONLY 50 degrees? Duuuuuude, it's Winter camping. Dork. :p

So, everyone enjoyed the little beaver? ;)”

“Thanks on the heater info!”

“looks like guys had fun..

-Luke-”

“"So, everyone enjoyed the little beaver? ;)"


Everyone seemed to enjoy their experience with it. ;)”

“Thanks for doing a TR, mata. I just haven't found the time to sit down and type anything out. We've got a few pics we'll get up on webshots just as soon as we can.

I had a great time over the weekend. I enjoyed meeting the new people and seeing some familiar faces.”

“AmyG...I can't speak for everyone but I always enjoy the little beaver...

Lukee! I missed you this time...I don't know if I told you but I managed to find a Sub-Zero parka (like Amy was wearing on last years Pix Rox winter trip) on sale last spring...it is wonderful! a couple of people noticed and admired it...that was one of the best buys I've ever made.

Tarabully Tarabull...thank you for suggesting the trip! I think we all had a blast...even poor, cold, naked Rachel!”