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hello stranger midwest adventure
  • Beginner’s Backpacking Checklist (By an Outdoor Guide!)

    January 1, 2025

    The ultimate packing list and tips for a beginner 2-5 day backpacking trip written by an outdoors guide!

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  • Havasupai 2025 Packing List (Ultralight & Flying In!)

    December 23, 2024

    Looking for the best packing list for backpacking Havasupai, everything you need and nothing you don’t? This is the perfect beginner backpacking Havasupai Guide!

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  • Cup of tea and a calm lake on the Border Route Trail in the BWCA

    10 Best Backpacking Trips in the Midwest (by an outdoor guide!)

    December 23, 2024

    Looking for the best midwest backpacking trails and routes? Read this article for backpacking ideas and trips all accessible from the Midwest!

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  • How to Backpack and Camp on your Period (Detailed Guide!)

    May 23, 2024

    For a complete guide to how to backpack and camp on your period, read this article!

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  • 27 Bucket-List Michigan Hiking Trails (with maps!)

    April 19, 2024

    Searching for Michigan’s best hiking trails? Here are the 26 best hiking trails in Michigan for views, waterfalls, and swimming!

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  • image of a tent in a beautiful free campsite in Grand Marais Minnesota

    Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 Review (By an Outdoor Guide!!)

    April 18, 2024

    Looking for a review of the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 for backpacking? After 7 years of use, here is everything you need to know about the Fly Creek

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  • How to Backpack Havasupai in Supai, AZ (Havasu Falls Trail)

    April 1, 2024

    Looking to backpack Havasupai (Havasu Falls trail) in Arizona? Here is everything you need to know about backpacking Havasupai and Havasu Falls!

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  • McCargoe Cove on Isle Royale National Park

    Ultimate Guide to Isle Royale National Park (hiking, kayaking, and more!)

    May 24, 2023

    Looking for how to plan a trip to Isle Royale National Park in Michigan? Here, we cover how to get to isle royale, the best hiking, and more!

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  • Views from Little Sand Bay, family beach campground on the great lakes

    15 Incredible Campsites on the Great Lakes

    March 9, 2023

    Looking for the best places to camp in the Great Lakes? Check out the most beautiful Great Lakes Campsites & Great Lakes camping trip ideas!

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maddymarq

guide & writer exploring the midwest🏕
📍Wisconsin Northwoods
inquiries: hello@madelinemarquardt.com
↓ FREE exploring the Midwest eBooks ↓

it’s me I’m girls :/ it’s me I’m girls :/
hahahah jk I’m not laughing :( 🦟 hahahah jk I’m not laughing :( 🦟
Backpacking the Porkies🥾🏕️🏔️ Porcupi Backpacking the Porkies🥾🏕️🏔️

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a great spot for beginner friendly wilderness backpacking (think no cell service, but options for easier routes). Currently an area just outside the Porkies is the site of a proposed mine that could put the environment and Lake Superior’s waters at risk. Learn more and stay up to date on developments @protect_the_porkies 

📍Traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation
logged off lately☀️🌊>📱💤 1-7: I’ve logged off lately☀️🌊>📱💤

1-7: I’ve worked this stretch of shoreline as a sea kayaking guide on and off since 2018. This summer will be my first in a while easing off guiding and into full time writing which is so wonderful!! I’m really looking forward to experiencing the islands and paddling as a paddler and someone who loves the outdoors, and not just as a guide working. There’s something really wonderful about doing things just for the joy of it, and I want that back. 

[new @aquabound tetra on my deck was gifted! As pretty as she looks on my deck, it’s a great paddle so more likely to end up in my hands!]

8- I’ve been getting back into running and it’s been hard. Rewarded myself with some shorts that don’t cut into my skin and some non-stained sports bras. (See previous post for a wholeeeee story on the running thing)

9-10: a walk in the woods

11- plant propagations 

12- taking @paddlingmagazine out for a paddle :)
Lake Superior summer loading✨🌅🏕️ where a Lake Superior summer loading✨🌅🏕️ where are you headed this summer?

1- A lake up the Gunflint Trail
2- Stockton Island
3- the Porkies
4- Lovers Leap Arch
5- the North Shore
6- prep day
7- Palisade Head
8- my favorite island
9- the trail 
10- Devils Island (actually isn’t my favorite!!)
11- Michigan moment 
12- camped out
13- a small sea cave

📍traditional and cultural homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation
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© 2025 Madeline Marquardt