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hello stranger midwest adventure
  • How to Backpack Havasupai in Supai, AZ (Havasu Falls Trail)

    January 8, 2026

    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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  • 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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  • 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🏕
📍Northwoods & Lake Superior
inquiries: hello@madelinemarquardt.com
↓ FREE trail guides ↓

Brb, searching for flyover country👀✈️ Come say hi Brb, searching for flyover country👀✈️Come say hi at @maddymarq for ideas for Midwest adventure + women’s outdoor events & trips :)
Car camping 101🚗⛺️ As told by mistakes I made on Car camping 101🚗⛺️As told by mistakes I made on a solo two week road trip around the Midwest 😅
Kayaking the Apostle Islands☀️🌊🛶 Kayaking the Apostle Islands☀️🌊🛶
Desert gold from Utah last spring💌🌵 I spent a lot Desert gold from Utah last spring💌🌵I spent a lot of this week in front of the computer working & vegging on the couch but this time last year @explorenborgen & I were backpacking and bumming around the desert :)
Learn to sea kayak on Superior🎉🌊🛶 Win a scholarsh Learn to sea kayak on Superior🎉🌊🛶Win a scholarship spot at the @freshwater.paddler.symposium (June 25-28) in Cornucopia, Wisconsin.This sponsorship covers your registration + gear rentals and is aimed at beginner padders to help more women access the sport of sea kayaking. Transportation, pre-event workshops, and meals save the group dinner are not included. Anyone who identifies as a woman & uses she/her pronouns is welcome to apply, no previous kayaking experience required.About the symposium: Join fellow paddlers at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore for a few days of fun paddling and skill building at the Freshwater Paddlers Sea Kayak Symposium. Open to sea kayakers of all skill levels, come and learn from ACA Certified Instructors, with paddling opportunities from calm bays to rowdy open water, and get involved in the Apostle Islands sea kayaking community. Four ladies will be randomly selected from this form as scholarship winners. If you have already registered for the symposium and win you can use your winning to refund your registration and rental cost, or transfer your scholarship to a friend. Each scholarship covers one individuals registration and rentals only. Free camping is available for the event at the Cornucopia airport; Maddy (hello@madelinemarquardt.com, sponsoring the scholarship) has loaner camping gear available if needed.Application open until April 30th.*Note that the typical solo sea kayak fits women up to about 250 pounds comfortably. If you have questions about boat fit/availability you can contact me (Maddy) directly and I’m happy to help you get a gauge on whether or not you’ll be comfortable and see if I can find a boat that works. Sea kayaking is also generally not a good fit for anyone sporting shoulder injuries. Also note that this is a sea kayak instruction and skill building event, not a guided tour. You’ll be in and out of the water working on rescues, paddling techniques and more, with additional opportunities to paddle throughout the area and explore.
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