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  • Best Kayaks for Beginners (by a kayak guide!)

    June 16, 2024

    Looking for the best kayaks for a beginner kayaker? Here’s the ultimate guide to buying your first kayak:

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  • image of wilderness systems pungo at sunset in Big Island Lakes Wilderness

    Ultimate Kayaking Packing List (by a Kayak Guide!)

    April 2, 2024

    Planning a kayaking trip? For what to pack for kayaking, how to pack, and more, read this article!

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  • Winter Kayaking: Best Gear & How to Layer

    November 1, 2023

    For the best gear and how to layer for winter kayaking, read this article!

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  • image of wilderness systems pungo at sunset in Big Island Lakes Wilderness

    Wilderness Systems Tempest 165 Review

    May 4, 2022

    Sponsored by Wilderness Systems This summer, I’ll be sea kayaking from Washington to Alaska 1300 miles along the Inside Passage, and my weapon of choice is a Wilderness Systems Tempest 165. The first sea kayak I…

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  • kayaker explores the sea caves of sand island in the apostle islands national lakeshore, a four hour drive from Minneapolis

    30 Inspiring Great Lakes Kayaking Photos

    April 17, 2022

    come explore and sea kayak some the 30 most beautiful kayaking locations on the great lakes!

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  • image of a Yellow Sea kayak at the Pictured Rocks Cliffs on Lake Superior

    Seven Secrets for Stunning Kayak Photos

    September 23, 2021

    Want to learn how to take great kayak photos? From paddling technique, to locations, to composing the perfect paddling photos, here is a complete guide on how to take great photos from a canoe or…

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  • A windsurfer on Lake Superior by Artists Point Grand Marais MN

    8 Tips for Fall Kayaking: What to Wear & How to Layer

    September 5, 2021

    Looking for the best clothes for fall kayaking? Wondering what to wear kayaking in the shoulder season? Check out what to wear fall kayaking

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  • A loon on a small quiet lake near Traverse City, Michigan

    7 Beautiful Places to Kayak in Traverse City, MI

    September 1, 2021

    Looking for the best kayaking near Traverse City? Read this article for the best places to kayak near Traverse City, Michigan

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  • Kayaking Sand Island Sea Caves in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

    Five Best Places to Kayak on Lake Superior

    July 11, 2021

    Looking for the best kayaking spots on Lake Superior? Read this article to find Lake Superior sea caves, sea arches, and the best spots to kayak!

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  • A yellow kayak on Lake Superior by the red and orange Pictured Rocks Cliffs

    8 Best Hiking Trails & Adventures in the Pictured Rocks

    February 19, 2021

    Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has sandstone cliffs, great swimming spots, sea kayaking and more! Here are some of the best hiking trails in the Pictured Rocks:

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maddymarq

guide & writer exploring the midwest🏕
📍Wisconsin Northwoods & Lake Superior
inquiries: hello@madelinemarquardt.com
↓ FREE trail guides ↓

Lake Superior in the winter❄️🌈🌊safety note⬇️ Kaya Lake Superior in the winter❄️🌈🌊safety note⬇️Kayaking on Lake Superior in any season is recommended only in sea kayaks by paddlers with practiced deep water self rescues and safety gear. When in doubt, book a guided tour. In the winter, as you might imagine, hazards compound! Everyone pictured here works or has worked locally as a guide and has extensive knowledge of Lake Superior weather patterns, rescue practice in cold water, and is wearing a drysuit. There are no available guided winter tours in this area at present due to the hazards involved in winter kayaking, and the rare conditions that make this paddle possible in the winter. (It’s currently locked in with ice and in-paddleable; ice is not safe to hike on here at present so these caves can only be viewed from the hiking trail above.)
Weekend in Lutsen, MN❄️♥️🥾 With @explorenborgen Weekend in Lutsen, MN❄️♥️🥾 With @explorenborgen :)
Night snowshoeing & campfires this weekend 🔥❄️ jus Night snowshoeing & campfires this weekend 🔥❄️ just wrapped up the very first women’s knit, ski, and winter camp weekend and despite kinks including learning that pancakes do NOT cook evenly when the air temperature is single digits, it was so much fun! As always, such a great group of women, and thanks so much to everyone who came out :)1- snowshoeing in the dark 2- s’mores3- headlamps and so so much snow❄️4- early morning coffee 5- group pic at @mt.ashwabay 6- obligatory ski photo7- first time XC skiers!!! Looking pretty good!!8- campfire :)9- fresh snow10- a dry, off-grid cabin in the woods 👀11- fresh tracks12- sleepover!13- project time :)14- flurriesThis was one of the first trips I’ve designed and fully executed and led start to finish — usually I’ve borrowed other templates, itineraries, and learned from other guides in the past — and I’m honestly feeling really proud of how it turned out, especially given the added challenges of winter. Anyways feeling really proud and really grateful for such a cool group of ladies and for @lostcreekadventures giving me the space to try something like this!Stay tuned for upcoming trip updates & and ladies who came out just leave a comment so I can find your IG and I’ll tag you!!
Minnesota strong♥️❄️ Recommended listen: Governor Minnesota strong♥️❄️Recommended listen: Governor Tim Walz’s address last night. Click on the audio and head to the original post to listen or head to @mngovernor Recommended follow: @dguttenfelder documenting from Minneapolis for the @nytimes For resources: @startribune has put together resources to help families and businesses in need in the Twin Cities ( @planetwithsara has set you an easy way to get DM’d the list in her most recent post! Another recommended follow)
A winter hike, a cozy cabin 🌊🥾❄️ Spent some time A winter hike, a cozy cabin 🌊🥾❄️ Spent some time up north with @explorenborgen playing in the snow and enjoying some cozy cabin time at @lutsen_seavillas [hosted].Sound of crashing waves, some trail beer-cheese fondue, fog and frost, heavy wool sweaters, a wood-burning stove, pancakes — doesn’t get much better than this :)Photos 4, 5 & 9 📸- @explorenborgen
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