Thursday, March 31, 2011

The packing list,
The night before
Contains these,
And a few more...

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

We have [solar] power...


I met up with my friend O'Hagan today, who was holding on to this little gadget since he won it in a contest a few months back. The conversation came up before I decided to hike the trail, though this played a vital part in the planning. It's a beautiful thing: the Goal0 Nomad 7 portable solar charger.


 It is made up of three sections that fold into a small 'envelope.'Two of the sections house the Monocryataline solar panels (which are more ridgid than they appear) and the top holds the charging ports: a standard USB (female) and a jack for an external 'cigarette lighter' attachment that can be plugged into the port.There are also 8 braided rope 'hooks' on the sides and corners of the charger, to make it easily attachable to any backpack (or whatever else).


The bummer: as soon as I plugged in my iPhone, I got the error message that  'charging is not supported by this device.'
The relief: the 'mophie case' (see photo 2) does work with this charger. It's an external battery pack that can be charged separately or together with the iPhone. I am not a techy guy so for me this is new a kind of fun to figure out. None of these are necessities on the trail, but they can add to the experience in many ways...

Monday, March 28, 2011

Geo-tag, you're it...

This is another test of the 'emergency upload system'..I geotagged this photo, so we'll see if I can chuck it on a map.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Testing, testing...


This is a pic I took with my iPhone earlier today during a walk in the forest. It was uploaded through the phone, sans Internet. That's freaking sweet! This is in hopes that many more will follow in this fashion along the trek. Cheers!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Mid-March in Michigan

Mid-March in Michigan:

Today was wet. It's been raining frequently over the past 2 days, and the snow that's remained from winter's last comeback has nearly all melted again. Tomorrow we're supposed to get another 3-7" of fresh powder, making it the fourth round, after the near-thaws that have each foreshadowed the end of winter. I welcome it, and for me it's another opportunity to get outside and snowkite, especially after packing up my gear for the season. I like winter and when I had envisioned this trip earlier in the year, I hoped it would be in part on snowshoes and a sled. None the less, I'll welcome spring, whenever its time comes.

I decided to ride my bike for the first time this season, a quick 3-mile trip to the library, cutting through the forest trail that runs along the Clinton River. I told myself to take the backstreets instead, but habit lead me down it's same path, and I followed the flooded river on the trail onto which it overflowed. The trip proved to be useful (I haven't visited it since my feud over some $20 in late fees last year which I reluctantly paid off several months back); I had a book in my mind which I had come across last year, and as it turned out, was likely my first introduction/inspiration for the Shore-to-Shore Trail. Backpacking in Michigan (Second Edition) by Pat Allen and Gerald L. DeRuiter has a nice write-up on the "Michigan Shore-to-Shore Riding-Hiking Trail" (pgs. 55-64, including the north and south spurs) and a simple overview map (pg. 156) that includes the location of the established trail camps. The book discusses each segment of the trail (starting West-East), giving a brief history of the region as well as a description of what you can expect to see on that segment, and the nearby attractions if you chose to detour. It starts:
"The real attraction of this trail is its length and the opportunity it provides to say you hiked across Michigan. The trail is currently the longest continuous trail in Michigan...While not a wilderness trail, it is certainly an excellent scenic trail."
I happen to like the idea of getting to see the state, good and bad, from side to side. From experiences on segments in the Huron National Forest, this is a beautiful trail in the summer, though through it's length I am sure you will also encounter some unflattering parts of the state:
"You will have to accept hiking sections along gravel, dirt, or paved roads, as well as forest two-track roads. These two-tracks enable you to walk alongside your hiking companions for conversation."
That's a nice way to put it, but I actually do like hiking the two-tracks and seldom run into a car or another person even in the busy season of summer...

The Real Surprise...

...was when I got home and checked the mailbox. Both maps (see Maps! write-up) came in the mail today! An envelope from the Huron Shores Ranger Station in Oscoda and one from the Michigan Trail Riders Association both contained their own surprises, some good, some not so great. (To be continued...)

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Maps!

I woke up this morning with a call from the Michigan Trail Riders Association, they are the group of horse riders that currently manages (and owns?) the Shore-to-Shore trail, though their website is far from informational to anyone looking to hike the trail. The call was regarding my request for maps...

Now, for anyone that has seriously thought about hiking this trail, I'm sure you have come to the same frustrating conclusion that I came to in the Fall of 2010 when I first looked into backpacking the trail: there are no decent trail maps available anywhere on the Internet, and seemingly even less accounts of people who have actually hiked it. (Here is a the best write-up I have been able to find regarding the trail. It offers some first-hand insight from a hike in 2010)
The staff member from the MTRA was very nice, and mentioned that although she has talked to a lot of hikers about obtaining maps, none have come back with any information from their hike. A $10 cheque is going in the mail, and I should have a start.

If you would like to get in contact with them:


989-473-3205

Chris Rayner, Sec/Treas

Michigan Trail Riders Assoc.
5806 E. State Rd.
Hale, MI 48739


Another Option

Having spent a considerable amount of time in the Huron National Forest (basically every weekend in the summer of 2009) I got to know the forest pretty well. It's how I first heard of the trail, though at the time I did not give it much thought. However, on visits to the Lumberman's Monument visitor center, I remember coming across a small envelope of maps marking (vaguely) the course of the trail. The packet sells for $4. Looking through the maps at the time I assumed there had to be a more detailed approach and decided to save my money. I'll change my mind, and send them a cheque as well to compare between the only two options I have seen.

The Forest Service also has a webpage dedicated to AuSable portion of the "Shore-to-Shore State Horse Trail" and mentions that the trail is also open to hikers.
In about a week I hope to get the Maps in and start on the route planning... 'Till then, time to start working on the pack....