Isle Royale Is VERY REMOTE--Plan Appropriately!

For those who don't know (or don't fully understand) --Isle Royale is actually VERY REMOTE. There is only limited transportation available. There are only limited staff resources. There is extremely limited cellphone or internet service. The two small stores have only very limited inventories and they are not open 24 hours per day. (And,if you are in the back country, the chances are that you will be many miles away from these stores for much of your trip).

It is important to realize that you need to be pretty self-sufficient and self-reliant if you are on Isle Royale--especially in the back country. Help and/or resupply are NOT "just around the corner". Oftentimes, in the back country, all you have are yourself, your traveling companions, and what you are carrying.

If you forget something at home (or if you break or lose something)--there is a likelihood that you WON'T be able to get a replacement on the Island during your entire trip. If you are bored, having a miserable time --and/or are ill--(but not in a life threateningly way) there is a possibility that you might not be able to leave the Island until your scheduled departure day and time (due to a lack of available seats on departing transportation).

If there is a problem at work or home (and you find out about it through the limited cellphone service or via satellite communication) --and you are in the "middle" of the Island--it might take you 1-3 days (or longer) to get to Rock Harbor or Windigo and to also get transportation off of the island.

If you get injured, don't count on being able to call for help with a cellphone (because it probably won't work). Unless you have an emergency device (like an InReach, Spot, or similar satellite communicator) --someone is possibly going to have to physically go and get help. Then, it still might take several hours (or an entire day) for that help to reach you once the helpers become aware of your situation.

BOTTOM LINE: Most of the time--in the Isle Royale back country -- you are pretty much on your own--and you better be prepared to deal with that--even in times of emergency--because help is probably not getting to you for several hours or for an entire day.