U.P. Overland 2009
- Thread starter Northern Explorer
- Start date
taco2go
Explorer
Pasties (the eating kind).
The NPR segement was very informative, and I agree with everyone else- especially like the idea about making the next event more workshop/information oriented, maybe invite some ExPo big wigs from down south. I just got NALS recertified and could teach some pointers on neonatal resuscitation in the field...
Rattler
Thornton Melon's Kid
:Wow1::wings:
The NPR segement was very informative, and I agree with everyone else- especially like the idea about making the next event more workshop/information oriented, maybe invite some ExPo big wigs from down south. I just got NALS recertified and could teach some pointers on neonatal resuscitation in the field...
It would amost be useful to my wife since she works in a peds unit.
With apologies to United Airlines' 3PD series, my perfect sequence of three days would be each day repeating variations on the following theme:
1) pack up and leave camp-site around 9am (late enough to allow slow-pokes like me to pack up and have a hot breakfast)
2) drive to VERY difficult to reach remote locations, possibly involving some hiking and/or kayaking to see abandoned mines, kilns, waterfalls, natural geographic curiosities, wrecked boats/planes, islands/sandbars, bluffs, etc. I realize this part is restrictive because it requires a built vehicle and maybe physical fitness.
3) rustic camp, preferably near water (lake/river/waterfall) or something like a mine or plane. pitch camp at 4pm or even sooner, to give time to fish for dinner, explore local trails. I know that by starting late and stopping early, and taking remote/hard trails this is a recipe for not getting very far-- which is fine with me. If I only travel 20 miles by truck on a given day, but hike 5 miles to great sights and cook my freshly-caught fish dinner, and sit around BSing with my camp mates I'm happy.
4) at camp, arrange for people to volunteer to host or talk about something-- how to identify tree varieties, how to scale/cook fish, demo safe winch recovery, have an impromptu 'jam session', talk about how far away the nearest galaxy is/astrophysics, whatever: attendance optional, of course, like everything.
5) Go to sleep late, wake up to the smell of coffee and bacon, and go back to 1)
6) and that's it... depending on the # of people interested, I'd also consider multiple groups by criteria like: more/less remote (some people like showers, toilets, convenience stores), more/less active (some people don't hike/bike/kayak), maybe also break up by date and/or locale (far western UP on one week in say August or maybe June, north-central UP in September).
Good luck, sounds like your minds are feverishly turning ideas over!!!
P.S. I may have missed it but I don't think anyone's mentioned the topic of money-- I'll be politically-incorrect and jump right in with my opinion: free is great, but maybe a little too great. To me, this type of event goes back to the idea of a group of friends just semi-spontaneously having fun together without nasy capitalism sticking its nose in and making it into a buyer-vendor relationship, where people have the right to complain about getting their money's worth. HOWEVER-- there's also the 'you get what you pay for' maxim, and it's tough to expect the organizers to continue to take time from their paying jobs and family obligations to make extensive preparations pro bono to ensure we all have a great time, no matter how amazingly altruistic they are. And then there's the issue that alternates may not have time to prepare to replace last-minute drop-outs. And we all know when 'you have skin in the game', you're more likely to think about the likelihood of bailing before asking to reserve a spot.
Factoring it all in, I'm in favor of something like a $100 nonrefundable deposit per vehicle, that the organizer(s) keep as a small token of thanks.
Another event that costs more money may also be a viable business model-- it isn't my kind of thing anymore, but I have been on for-profit guided events before, they have their place and can be very fun, and I can see there is plenty scope between 'UP overland' and 'Jeep Jamboree' for a win-win: someone to make money, people to have fun, and the UP to get a tourism boost.
hikingff77
Adventurer
Those pictures are awesome!!!
I got to ask though, I took the leisure of rummaging through your photo album and I got to ask where Camping in Paradise is. I've got to get there.
I got to ask though, I took the leisure of rummaging through your photo album and I got to ask where Camping in Paradise is. I've got to get there.
hikingff77
Adventurer
Hey, Lorax, is this the same Lorax from backpacker.com?
timbercruiser
Adventurer
That's the one.
Northern Explorer
Explorer
Great input so far!!!
Silver dude
Xplorer
I really favored the technical trails of the trip. Gobblers nob, Gay beach, that mud slicked trail, the over look. Really gave me chance to stretch my legs and shift out of 4X2. I really really wish I would have made it to Cliff drive. Though I guess you would come to expect this type of a opinion from a younger guy that ran it solo. The second leg was good as well I enjoyed the changing scenery its pretty amazing how different the terrain got as we progressed through the trip. I also enjoyed the historical aspects of the rural stops. The campsites and campers were outstanding! But, maybe it was because I wasn't with the group the whole time but the second leg provided less technical difficulty. Obviously, water added to the fun but otherwise that leg of the trip seemed maybe a bit flat if it was dry. But, I do understand the group was much larger and therefore we had to cater to all types of vehicles. Next year if possible I'd like to see GPS coordinates of the campsites as so if we get lost or fall behind its possible to reconnect with the group. I'd also consider smaller multiple groups, though the groups were fantastic this year and it moved well I felt like it was no longer a close knit pack when we approached the large numbers of attendance. Just felt like a parade rather then a pack.
I really enjoyed myself, I find my coworkers and friends are getting tired of me consistently talking about how great this trip was. But, I can't stop it seriously, it was the best time I've had this year.
I really enjoyed myself, I find my coworkers and friends are getting tired of me consistently talking about how great this trip was. But, I can't stop it seriously, it was the best time I've had this year.
TJDIV
Adventurer
Actually I think you could teach most of us more about "technical" stuff than we collectively know.
Wheeling, sure thing...you just gotta make sure the surfboard is on top
off.track
Adventurer
someone mentione whitefish point being a bore.. wow.. i guess you have to be a birder to enjoy one of the best places in america to watch birds migrate.. yeah i know, august isn't the prime time but there are still scores of birds of all feathers.
since i'm speaking of birds, Seney is another great birding area.. there is also ample biking opportunity there.
as to technical 4x4-ing.. there isn't really all that much in UP.. but Huron Mtns. are definitely worth wandering about. also the sands near whitefish point, when not wet after week's worth of rain, can be very technical.
since i'm speaking of birds, Seney is another great birding area.. there is also ample biking opportunity there.
as to technical 4x4-ing.. there isn't really all that much in UP.. but Huron Mtns. are definitely worth wandering about. also the sands near whitefish point, when not wet after week's worth of rain, can be very technical.
computeruser
Explorer
I'd echo the comments above. I think that what does and should continue to distinguish UPOverland from other "runs" is the history and sightseeing element. An overlook, a historic point of interest, an old town or mine, these are all the sorts of things that put meaning and context into backcountry travel. Otherwise, it's just a matter of driving down a narrow trail or muddy road...
TJDIV
Adventurer
True, but then what happens after we've seen everything by 2016?
We'll need a reason to through reunion parties