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I read the thread (regarding cellphone coverage on Isle Royale) with great interest. Numerous opinions were expressed. THE BOTTOM LINE IS: Many people are going to bring their cellphones and electronic devices to Isle Royale--whether some other people like that or not. In the previous thread, some people did a pretty good job of presenting reasons why someone might really want/need to contact their home or work--if at all possible. They also pointed out the many other uses for cellphones in modern hiking and camping. Thus, I won't rehash that in this post. My biggest issue/concern is this: I would invite all people to use their cellphones and other electronic devices (of all kinds) in a respectful manner when they are visiting Isle Royale. When other people are trying to enjoy the view at the top of Mt. Franklin or Mt. Ojibway-- they really don't want to hear you shouting into your cellphone. ("Can you hear me NOW?"). When people are hiking down the trail, they don't want to hear your music or podcast blaring. (Please put in some earbuds. That way you still get to listen to your stuff and other people get the quietness that they are seeking). When someone is trying to sleep at night, they don't want to hear you cranking some music at a campfire--or at your shelter, in your tent, or on your boat. Please respect other people's right to experience quiet and undisturbed sleep. (Note: The official quiet hours are VERY early on Isle Royale-- 10:00 pm to 6:00 a.m. EASTERN TIME and 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Central time) To those persons who would say: "This is my National Park just as much as it is anyone else's--and if I want to be noisy and talk loudly on my phone and play my music through a speaker--I will do so! It's my right!". I would offer two responses: 1) It's not just about "you". and your rights. Other people have rights also. That includes the right to experience REASONABLE levels of quiet in a wilderness area of a National Park. (NOTE: Some folks are indeed UNREASONABLE--and they have unrealistic and unreasonable expectations that they should not ever be able to hear any other people on Isle Royale and that no one should even say "Hi" to them on a trail and disturb their solitude. I would say to such people, sorry, but it isn't your own private park. You are going to see and hear other people and many of them will say "Hello".) 2) To those who would state that they have a right to use their electronic devices however they wish, I would also include a screenshot from the official Isle Royale National Park newspaper (The Greenstone")--which clearly states the official policies regarding both noise and electronic devices. I would invite everyone to go to Isle Royale. Enjoy! Have fun! Be nice and respectful to one another. Remember you have rights--but other people have rights too. (I once heard an old man say: "Yes, everyone has a right to swing their fists--but their right to swing their fists ends at my nose!. At that point, MY rights must prevail"). 
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** (NOTE: THIS POST HAS RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL CONTENT -- but it is related to Isle Royale and hiking.) **
I am an ordained pastor. (I began my first ministry internship 38+ years ago. On September 1st, I will have been serving at my current congregation for 30 years). I was also an Army National Guard officer and chaplain for 13 of those years. In addition to serving as pastor of my congregation, I also chose to join a Protestant monastic religious order whose members have committed themselves to a life of prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Even though I am married, have children, and live in a regular house-- (just like most other people) -- I am also a monk who pauses for a time of prayer three to six times per day. (And, yes, sometimes, I even chant prayers and wear a clergy collar and a long robe--with a hood. However, I don't wear that stuff too often--and never while hiking on Isle Royale--LOL). It is interesting coming to a remote place (like Isle Royale) as a monk. Most of the time, I come to Isle Royale for a time of solo hiking, solitude, prayer, and contemplation. Isle Royale is my spiritual "happy place". Although I don't stick too closely to watching the clock while on my hikes--I do tend to pause for prayer at around 6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., Noon, 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. I will also often be in prayer and contemplation as I walk. I have been known to privately celebrate the Lord's Supper (Communion) at places like Mt. Franklin, Rainbow Cove, or places with great views on the Minong Ridge Trail. I enjoy sitting at a picnic table (on the dock at Siskiwit Bay) and silently doing Morning Prayer as I watch the sunrise over the Bay. On the Minong Ridge Trail--I once went 30 hours without seeing another person or speaking. It is hard to beat that for solitude as a monk. I have officiated at a wedding (for hiking friends) on the dock at Windigo. That dock is also where they met and became engaged. (Note: Things like weddings require special permits from the National Park Service--in addition to the usual things like getting a marriage license). Three weeks from today (on August 14th), I go back to Isle Royale for a 16-day hike and spiritual retreat. My route is still tentative and flexible. There is a good chance that I will hike most of the trails on the island. So, maybe I will bump into some of you. As I have already noted, I spend a great deal of time in prayer during my trips to Isle Royale. If you have something particular that you would like me to pray about during my trip --feel free to send me a private message with the prayer request. I will add it to my prayer list. Why do I share a religious / spiritual post once or twice per year in this group? It is because spirituality is such a huge part of my own Isle Royale experience. I have also discovered, that such a post gives other people a "safe place" to mention their own Isle Royale spiritual experiences ...even if the individual is not particularly religious and never visits a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple. Isle Royale is a special place--that is also a "spiritual" and "holy" place for quite a few people. I am seeing quite a few people proposing some fairly ambitious hiking itineraries. (Which is their right and their choice. Go for it!).
Some of them seem to have a good "backup plan" -- in case they encounter unexpected issues or delays. Others seem to be leaving themselves very little "wiggle room" for things like transportation delays, weather delays, slight injury, or illness, etc. A lack of "flexibility" in one's itinerary can be particularly problematic in situations where you are crossing the Island and/or meeting transportation (or having "food drops") at a specific place and time. Allow me to give an example: I usually build a day or two of "flexibility" into my itinerary. I achieve this by doing things like intentionally planning for easy hiking days for the first day or two of my hike---having a "zero day" somewhere in the schedule (where no hiking is planned)--and/or having a route that can be shortened if needed. In 2020, my seaplane arrived on the Island approximately 24 hours later than planned due to fog and other issues. So, I was a day behind schedule before I even set foot on the Island in 2020. Then, on day three of my hike, I encountered many hours of torrential rains and severe lightning. Thus, it was not safe to be on the lightning-exposed ridges (which are also dangerously slippery when wet). Therefore, I stopped for the day at a different campground (many miles short of my planned destination for the day). Overall, I was 1.5 to 2 days behind on my planned itinerary. If I had not intentionally built a couple days of flexibility into my schedule, I would have faced a very severe problem getting to my seaplane on time at the opposite end of the Island. It is great to have an ambitious itinerary planned. (I personally have an ambitious plan for my hike in August 2021). However, it is also good to have great flexibility built into the itinerary--in case you encounter issues that can "put you behind schedule". PLEASE NOTE: Whether you are traveling on the ferries or the seaplanes--YOU WON'T HAVE ANY ACCESS TO YOUR BACKPACK (OR LUGGAGE) DURING THE TRIP TO/FROM THE ISLAND. You also will likely not have access to it for roughly 30 or so minutes before and after your time on the ferry. SO, remember to bring a small bag or pack (or big pockets) with things you believe that you might need during that period of time. (A seaplane trip may be only 30 minutes in duration. A ferry ride can range from 1.5 to 6 hours depending on the boat and your destination. So, what you may want to bring with you will vary).
Some things I have been known to bring (at various times--depending on the trip and mode of transportation) include: -- A jacket or fleece of some kind to wear on the boat. It is usually COLD when traveling on Lake Superior--even in warm months. Sometimes, I will bring my wool cap on the boat--if I think it will be particularly cold. I usually bring a hat with a brim with me on the boats--because the sun bouncing off the water can give a sunburn. --I bring rain gear of some kind. It might be sunny when you depart--but raining when you reach your destination. There are few things worse than standing on a dock for 30 minutes in the rain--waiting for them to unload your backpack or luggage--and your rain gear is in the backpack. Also, on the ferries, you may WISH to be out on the deck of the boat--or you may NEED to be out on the deck of the boat for a reason like seasickness. If it is raining (or if the waves are spraying you on the boat deck) it is sometimes nice to have rain gear for such a situation. -- Any money, credit card, ID, park pass, or other things that you think that you might need in order to board the boat or plane or when getting your permits. Sometimes there are small purchases that you can make on the ferry. Also, some people pay their park fees or buy their park pass when they arrive at the Island. (The daily park fee is $7 per day--or having the appropriate park pass). You may want/need your boat/plane tickets or reservation paperwork. [2022 Update: The National Part Service only accepts CREDIT CARDS and not cash.] --Any medications that you might need during your trip to/from the Island. My seasick medication always comes with me. If I am on any prescription medications--and if I may need a dose during the trip to/from the Island-- I bring those doses with me in a small ziplock bag. --If I have any reason to suspect that I will want to view my map or guidebook during the voyage--I bring it. I bring a copy of my itinerary--either on a piece of paper or in my head--for when I get my permit. -- If I think I will be hungry during the voyage (or if I will be traveling during mealtime), I bring something to eat or snack on. --Camera or cellphone--if I think I will want to take photos. --Sunglasses (if they are something you routinely choose to wear). The sun can be bright bouncing off of Lake Superior. --If you have a long voyage and plan on playing a game or reading a book or magazine to pass the time--bring those things. --Particularly on the Ranger III--there may be an opportunity to charge an electronic device--if an outlet is available. --I sometimes bring sunblock--or sometimes apply it before boarding the boat. This is particularly true if I am traveling on the Voyager II for five hours going around to the other side of the Island. Being outdoors on the deck of the shiny (reflective) aluminum Voyager II for five hours--while it is sailing on the shiny (and reflective) Lake Superior on a sunny day--is a great way to get a sunburn. --Some people bring something on which to listen to music or podcasts during their voyage If that is your desire, bring that device and your earbuds or headphones. Everyone's list of items to bring for use during their trip to/from the Island will vary--depending upon their situation and their personal preference. However, perhaps this list (and any items that people place in the comments section) will give you some ideas to consider when making your own choices. |
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Jon Prain ("The Isle Royale Guy") has made 18 trips to Isle Royale. He shares his insights and opinions in this blog. Archives
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