Sylvania Wilderness 2012

[FatDaddy]

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RBDodger and I took some boys to Sylvania last year and repeated the trip this year. That was a canoe trip. This year we mixed it up other adults used canoes to get half the boys to Crooked lake, they floated Clark to the portage.

RB and I hiked three boys in along Clark and met at the portage for lunch. Temp was right at 68* and bright sunny sky. GORGEOUS weather. The boys made the three miles in just under two hours, a nice pace for full packs and hiking the 20/10 rule.

After lunch we continued to Badger site. The boys stayed in 1 and adults in 2. We shared a firepit and had a great dinner. Ryan made banana cream pie recipe available on query. It was awesome with 9 folks to see 6 in blackbirds. A virtual flock of green hammocks and no chance for rain, so no need for tarps.

Dropped down to 38* that night but we were all pretty snuggly. Bright starlight and loon calls filled the evening and snores ... plenty of snores.

RB brough his HAM radio and set up a wire antenna in the trees much like slinging a bear bag. He then gave the guys a class on Morse Code and they listened to folks all over the world talking on the radio in the middle of the wilderness. WAY COOL.

The hike out we took and alternate route, almost straight north along the main trail, it was easy walking and the boys knocked it out in about an hour and a half. We dropped packs and the boys at the head end and beat over to the parking lot about a mile away. Then picked up the hikers, the canoers and headed for chocolate milk shakes in Rhinelander.

AWESOME trip and already talking about next year.

FatDaddy

[raiffnuke]

Nice trip, it sounds like a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing.

[Pipsissewa]

WW! What a blast! Forgive my ignorance (I even Googled it), but what is the 20/10 rule?

[Caveman]

Sounds like a great trip. Making memories.

[rbdodger]

The Sylvania Wilderness in the fall is a most beautiful place. You just can't beat the old wooded forest and wonderfully clear and cool lakes. When the weather is sunny and 75 and the nights are lows of 40s, you're talking some great camping experiences.

I could not have asked for a more pleasant and friendly crew to backpack into the woods with. With four youth boys and all of their dads, it was like having a guys night-out family camping trip.

The remote campsites in this forest are all awesome, you can't pick a bad site. We fried bacon and cooked brats over a pit fire ring while siting in our hammocks, and had a really good time. By the way, all (including boys) but two adults were hammock campers, and one of those will be in a hammock by next month.

I would highly recommend visiting this place. And be sure to take a friend to enjoy it with you.

One of the best camping trips I've been on in years. Thank you Sylvania Wilderness.

[rbdodger]

What is the 20/10 rule?

The 20/10 rule is a way to manage youth backpackers over a distance so that they don't get exhausted. We hike for 20 minutes, then rest for 10 minutes. During the rest you drop the packs and just relax. When you get to the end of the trail, your younger hikers aren't falling down tired.

I use the 20/10 rule for 10 to 13 age group, then 30/10 for 14 to 16, and 45 - 15 for 16 and up. I learned it from a backpacking guru Scoutmaster, and it seems to work well.

[Pipsissewa]

The 20/10 rule is a way to manage youth backpackers over a distance so that they don't get exhausted. We hike for 20 minutes, then rest for 10 minutes. During the rest you drop the packs and just relax. When you get to the end of the trail, your younger hikers aren't falling down tired.

I use the 20/10 rule for 10 to 13 age group, then 30/10 for 14 to 16, and 45 - 15 for 16 and up. I learned it from a backpacking guru Scoutmaster, and it seems to work well.

That's a good rule for everyone. Thanks!

[2ply]

Sounds like a great time was had by everyone. With the boys starting out in hammocks they have a lot of comfortable nights ahead.

[geoforge]

I have talked to some guys that go up there and they say there are some very nice campsites there, sandy beaches to do some good swimming

[rbdodger]

That true. Great sites and Loon lake is the best and clearest place to swim.

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