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

One year on Lake Superior❄️🏕️🌈 Come say hi @maddy One year on Lake Superior❄️🏕️🌈Come say hi @maddymarq for more Great Lakes spam!
Some of my finest work, truly🏕️🥾🫡 #puremichigan Some of my finest work, truly🏕️🥾🫡 #puremichigan
Winter kayaking on Lake Superior❄️🌊💫 I haven’t go Winter kayaking on Lake Superior❄️🌊💫I haven’t gotten out on the water as much this winter as the last few years but we’ve still got at least a month of winter left up here :)Safety note:Winter kayaking on Lake Superior should only be done while wearing a drysuit and with local knowledge of weather and ice patterns and paddlers proficient deep water self rescue in conditions. Not a beginner activity (I don’t guide tours in the winter, but @itssuchaniceday up on the Canadian North Shore does when conditions allow and they’re cool folks!)[Note on the expired boat tags! Photos taken from winter ‘21-‘24, mostly in Wisconsin where I live so no, my boat is no longer registered in Minnesota (I moved in ‘23, which is why the boat sticker still says 23). I’m a huge square and definitely register my watercraft appropriately and stay up to date on necessary certifications]
Once upon a Lake Superior February💫❄️ 1- a wintry Once upon a Lake Superior February💫❄️1- a wintry slot canyon 2- winter sea kayaking (drysuit, sea kayak, deep water self rescue experience are a must!)3- fox in the woods 4- an icy hike5- @saunacamps (admittedly not on lake superior but it slipped in!)6- icy line7- another slot8- evening light 9- sunrise 10- ice11- sunset 12- snowstorm13- more ice 14- breaking waves ♥️
4 days on the Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌈🏕️⬇️ - 38.5 m 4 days on the Trans-Catalina Trail🥾🌈🏕️⬇️- 38.5 mile challenging thru-hike- ferry required to get there- campsite reservations/permits open the first of the year - bison! endemic species! cetaceans! oh my!- not a great beginner backpacking trip, but a good beginner thru-hike- options to grab lunch along the way and resupply, easy to keep pack weight low- on one of California’s Channel Islands Tag your hiking buddy mines @explorenborgen :) come say hi @maddymarq for fun little outdoorsy tips from your favorite unhinged outdoor guide!
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