I’m seeing reports that two people were found dead on Isle Royale, the least visited park in the US national parks system – and one of the most remote wilderness areas of Michigan.
Does Isle Royale count as MI? I think so…
More importantly – What the f— happened?
A Reddit user mentioned hearing screams and commotion from the South Desor Lake campground. I’m not revealing what other details were in that post, but it’s… disturbing stuff. Those campers and those around them likely didn’t have a good night. 😢
Based on this and details revealed in other published reports – their deaths were not caused naturally.
The bodies have been identified and next of kin have been notified. No other details or cause of death has been published as of yet.
Published reports have said that rangers had to hike 11 miles overnight to reach them. The campground is only easily accessible by foot, and is in the backcountry. Investigating their deaths will be a logistical challenge!
The most recent bit of other published news is…the FBI is now involved. Huh. Makes sense, it is a national park. Park rangers don’t have the resources to handle an investigation like this. Best let the J. Edgars have at it.
This development (FBI being involved) has raised questions about the nature of the incident. Published reports have stated that there is no immediate threat to the public (presumably this means no killer at large).
I’ll be keeping an eye on this developing story!
If I were still in the journalism biz, I’d be begging to cover this story (I have backpacking gear, send me to Isle Royale, damn it)!
My backcountry camping experiences include:
* Tent camping, 2006, South Manitou Island (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore)
* Tent camping, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, 2006 (pictured above)
* Hike-in cabin Porcupine Mountains State Park 2007
*Hike-in cabin, Porcupine Mountains State Park, 2012
* Tent camping Grand Island Recreation Area in 2013
We have talked about renting one of the cabins on Grand Island (near Marquette in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula). They are a short walk from the dock and might be just the thing for us older adventurers! 🤔 Would be an easier (and cheaper) trip to plan than Isle Royale, and every bit as lovely (see below).
My husband and I also camped a couple of times at Ludington State Park’s hike-in campground, though it is a mile away from the rest of the park, it isn’t technically in the “backcountry.”
If I were to venture again into backpacking, I’d need a Sherpa to haul my gear (lol), new hiking boots (broken in of course) – and a water filter – but I still have most of my gear! I still use a backpacking grade sleeping bag rated to 30 degrees (they pack up so nice and small). 🏕
I no longer have a backpacking tent, I’d need to rent or borrow one. I gave ours to my niece a few years ago, and she lives in Alaska now!
While you wait for more details about the Isle Royale deaths…
Read about the deaths at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in this other blog I wrote (link below).
hebspeaks 