Name: Dispersed Blackpacking at Huron Manistee National Forest
Start: 2024-05-17T07:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-05-19T12:00:00-05:00

Participation Waivers
To be considered for this trip please fill out
[https://outdoorafro.my.site.com/s/trip-waiver](https://outdoorafro.my.site.com/s/trip-waiver)
trip name: [Manistee backpacking 5/17/24](https://outdoorafro.my.site.com/s/trip/a3CUS000004193l2AA/manistee-backpacking-51724)

EDIT:
There will be paper forms from BOAT when we meet, or you can DM me and get my email and send them to me that way.
BOAT Waiver
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f2Ty6e5126-MT72-5-Cz226O9hSxp3aD/view
Please sign electronically
and the BOAT health form
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16xSBY463gKAIX09iu1TPvnSzDRe9HI7O/view

Where and What.
I hope you all can attend my dispersed camping trip. We will not be doing a loop or have any set miles to cover. The first day we will have to walk 2 to 3 miles with all the gear you plan to use on your back in order to find a suitable place to camp. On terrain that may at times be steep or muddy. There is a river and creeks so bring swim wear if you want.

We will start at the Red Bridge River Access Site.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/recarea/?recid=18598
BOAT will provide a ride from the Chicago area to trail head in MI.

The cost for this event is free based on a grant between Outdoor Afro and the U.S. Forest Service, and in partnership with BOAT (Bus for Outdoor Access and Training) who is providing essential backpacking gear free of charge.

GEAR
Unless you have equipment specifically designated for backpacking (lightweight gear), we highly encourage you to borrow the following items from BOAT for this trip: backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, sleep pads, and personal use equipment (utensils/bowls, head lamp).
This link includes a backpacking gear list and the items with a red box are the items you can borrow from BOAT. Please let me know if you have any questions about this, especially our first time backpackers.

[https://theboatbus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/BOAT-Backpacking-Gear-List.pdf?189db0&189db0](https://theboatbus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/BOAT-Backpacking-Gear-List.pdf?189db0&189db0)

I recommend (a strong suggestion but only you know your budget, and you will be fine borrowing) purchasing a sleeping pad. You want the R-value (heat retention value to be about a 4 or higher) and you want the pad to be as packable as you can afford.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-sleeping-pad/buying-advice

A couple of camping YouTubers that I like

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrHYVb2Fsq8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrHYVb2Fsq8)

I disagree with needing the folding mat, sit on the bear canister or bring a light weight chair.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpo9F_1LBAM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpo9F_1LBAM)

FOOD and Water
Food will not be provided. I recommend purchasing freeze dried meals specifically made for camping. Shop at REI, Walmart or your favorite outdoor store.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/meal-planning-for-ultralight-backpacking.html
https://www.freshoffthegrid.com/backpacking-food-ideas/

There is going to be plenty of creeks for water and BOAT will provide a water filter.

*Packing out your trash*
There will be no trash bins at the trailhead even near the pit toilet. Bring a zip lock bag for your trash and be mindful that it must fit in your bear canister. You can borrow the canister from BOAT.
Typically I use the freeze dried meals and eat out of the bag. And then it is easy to put that bag in my zip lock trash bag.
You can't bury food like you can bury your poop. You have to strain the solids and pack them out. Or some will add water and drink up the food scraps.

https://www.hmwoutdoors.com/blogs/newsnskills/7-leave-no-trace-cooking-tips

*Pooping*
Bring a trowel. Find a spot 200 feet from water sources and trails, dig a small hole six inches deep, and poop in it. At Manistee, you can bury the toilet paper.

However, for all your future events, look up the policy. Rocky places like the Boundary waters, you have to use the pit toilet. Not peeing it helps reduce the stench, but few people get that memo.Desert camping, you have to pack poop and toilet paper out.

Avenza Maps
The pros are that it is free and if you download the maps before you hit the trail you don’t need cell service. The con is Avneza uses pdf maps and the experience is not at all like Google maps.

[https://store.avenza.com/products/manistee-national-forest-mi-maps-126-144-north-country-trail-association-map](https://store.avenza.com/products/manistee-national-forest-mi-maps-126-144-north-country-trail-association-map)

[https://support.avenzamaps.com/hc/en-us/articles/5524626257044-Create-Map-Features-and-Navigation](https://support.avenzamaps.com/hc/en-us/articles/5524626257044-Create-Map-Features-and-Navigation)

Leave no trace!
Leave no trace https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/

Outdoor Afro Chicago & NW Indiana

Travel & Outdoor

Hiking

African Americans

African American Women

African American Men

African American Families

Black Singles

Outdoor Adventures

Outdoors

Black Professionals

Walking

Black Men

Black Women

OutdoorAfro

Dispersed Blackpacking at Huron Manistee National Forest

This content is available only to members

Share this event

Dispersed Blackpacking at Huron Manistee National Forest

Details