Planning a Multi Day Trip: Lessons from Isle Royale National Park, by Matt Anderson

Thinking about venturing out on a longer backpacking trip, but nervous about never having spent more than a night in the woods? Matt will share his experience doing just that and leading a group of people with wildly varying outdoor experience into the backcountry. It all began when his brother-in-law mentioned that a trip to Isle Royale National Park was on his bucket list. Several months of planning later, four of us were leaving the mainland behind and flying in a seaplane to a chain of islands formed by ancient ridges rising from the depths of Lake Superior.

Don’t worry, this presentation won’t be all gear lists, meal planning, and not getting eaten by bears. We will also marvel at the beauty of one of the least-visited National Parks in the United States. Matt will talk about what he finds so captivating about the island and why despite getting so few visitors, it is one of the most re-visited National Parks. Also there are no bears on Isle Royale, so no need to worry about that. There are wolves, but consider yourself incredibly lucky if you actually see one!

Matt enjoys hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and biking, as well as reading about other people’s adventures. Originally from the Detroit area, he moved to Dayton in 2006 and has grown to appreciate all the outdoor activities available in such close proximity in the Miami Valley. When he is not out seeking adventure, he is typically spending time with his family, working on DIY projects, or building software.