Upper Midwest GGG LETS DO IT !!!

May works best for us.

I can do either, but I am leaning towards May.

May looks better. It looks like I have lost control of my schedule for Apr.

Ok so May 12-13 weekend it is. Tim Z said this works for him also.

Iowa is higher than the rockys, that is with this bump

As Mark said above, May 12-13 is the date!

Will anyone be arriving on Friday? My wife and I will be coming from the Rochester area
and can get there almost anytime after 6PM Friday.

Dave. I am shooting for Friday. It looks like about 9 hours for me.

So the plan is hike in camp site. Looks like some nice day trails. Any other thoughts?

I will get there as early as I can on friday maybe even thursday night. I will try to get Doug to scan and post a map of the forest/roads/trails. There is a shelter at one of the hikein sites Im leaning to that site but will get up and check all 4 areas in the next couple weeks.

Mark. I give. What does GGG stand for?

Tim

I other areas of the country It's Gathering of Gear Geeks but thats not to say that our third G couldnt be Greats or Gladiators or Genius's or___________!

Grain fields.

Now hold on there Mr Grizzly bear man, Mike Clelland endorses the use of corn cobs as a alternate to T.P. And I think most will be surprised at this part of the state we do have a little that was not burned and plowed. Although there are parts of the area we are going that borders corn fields.

Hahaha. Be happy you're not in Kansas. I have to take antidepressants just for the drive across that state.

I am going to bring my Tenkara gear. If any one is interested I have an exrta rod.

I'd like to try a tenkara and the streams up there would be great for that style of fishing. I know one year Doug and I had a hell of a time finding a place that sold fishing licenses we actually went to Cabelas just across the mississippi in prairie du chien wisconsin to get an Iowa license. You could likely get one on line in advance. Otherwise Decorah, marquette or mcgreagor most likely has places that sell them but some of these small towns really close up early. Also you need a trout stamp to fish for trout in Ia. you get that added to your license.

–

The only rules here are there are no rules. I dont speak for everybody but my opinion is if its legal and follows the park/forest service rules its ok for the GGG. So to answer Josh's question on bringing dogs I'd say bring your dog. If its a well behaved dog I dont think anybody will mind and you can set a good example for dogs and backpacking. If its a bad dog and barks all night and wizzes on our tents, I'm sure the mob will rule. I look at this first midwest GGG like this I'm going camping out in the woods and I made an open and in some cases private invitation for anyone to come join me. If a church or scout group shows up in the area they are welcome also cause legally they can. If our group wants to divide up to have a quiet camp there are lots of places to camp here. If anyone wants to camp somewhere alone thats fine to. I plan to post a sign at the trail head sign up about our group where most of us will be and people may want to avoid us if they are looking for solitude. I know with different personality's things are not going to be perfect for everyone but I hope this gathering is as perfect as it can be for everyone. I have little control on how this turns out but as a group I think we have alot of control

We don't have a problem with dogs either. I'll bring my extra rod along with some more line. I guess I can handle the extra 4-5 oz.

–

since this is the wives first mothers day, i don't want my bivy to become my body bag. that being said please please do this again, in the summer or fall or winter.
cheers,
jim

The real question about your dog is if she carries her own pack or not. And is it a framesless pack.

Dave. I will bring items used for fishing even though after much testing they don't work.

Tim,
I resemble that remark.

> please please do this again, in the summer or fall or winter.

+1. Can't make the date and this location is a bit far for me from central IN for just a weekend, but I'd try if the date was open.