February Camping Trip at Chain O’ Lakes State Park Schedule

February Camping Trip at Chain O’ Lakes State Park Schedule

All activities are optional. Each night is optional as well; you can even come out and participate in just the daytime activities. The only activity of importance is the one you will enjoy. It is asked that you help cover the cost for any activities you participate which require money. If anyone has an activity, e.g. horse shoes, bean bags, croquet, cards, they would like to add just post a comment at the bottom of this Blog.


Thursday, Feb 17th

Deadline for signing up to camp. We will be making reservations and need to know for how many people.


Friday, Feb 25th

3 p.m. till Sunset (5:36 p.m.)- Arrive and set camp. The park gates close at sunset. We think that it will be best if people park at the camp office and shuttle to the camp site as to cut down on the parking lot feel of the campsite itself; more to come on this proposal.

Sunset (5:36 p.m.)- The park gates close to incoming traffic. I am not sure from my resources but it appears the egress is possible at all times.

4:30 p.m. - A short hike before nightfall.

A little before sunset till you turn in- Sit around the camp fire, eat, and play games. There will be no formal meals on this night as to accommodate varying times of arrival.


Saturday, Feb 26th

Sunrise (6:31 a.m.) till 8 a.m. - Breakfast. Anyone wishing to make this weekend as much of a backpacking trip as possible can take this time to break camp. Also, the morning is best for wildlife viewing.

8 a.m. - The park gates open.

8:15 a.m. - First hike of the day. There is 16.8 miles of trail at the park, six miles of which are solely for hiking/skiing. There is a 2.5 mile nature trail (it is unclear from my resources whether this trail is included in the 6 miles or not). The rest of the trails are open to horses as well as hikers. Which trail we will be on is to be announced. Also, feel free to load a full pack to hump. Many of us will be using this opportunity to see what backpacking in winter is like. If snowshoeing or XC skiing is your pleasure feel free to do that as well.

Noon- Lunch

1 p.m. - Second hike of the day. Same note as above.

3:30 p.m. till before sunset - Fishing. We can ice fish if there is a frozen expanse but if there is not we can fish one of the lakes. If anyone knows about the fishing conditions he/she can be our guide. Of course, those not interested in hiking can fish all day long.

Sunset (5:37) - The park gates close to incoming traffic. I am not sure from my resources but it appears that for campers egress is possible at all times.

A little before sunset till you turn in- Anyone who packed a bag can set camp, while those who left a camp set can have fun. We will have a large fire, possibly a bon fire depending on park regulations. This activity will provide an excellent opportunity to see if you like being outside for extended periods of time in the winter. If you are on the fence, this will be an excellent time to wet your feet. Also, we would like to cook a dinner or have a dinner cooked in order to help provide a camping experience, without the full camping responsibilities, for those on the fence. We currently do not have the equipment to do this. If anyone can help with this it would be greatly appreciated. We could do something as simple as smores if that’s all we can prepare. We would need an exact head count in order to prepare the meal. This would definitely be a paid event. If the group meal idea falls through then dinner will be on your own.


Sunday, Feb 27th

Wake and break camp. Possibly an activity if someone would like to lead it.

*Please write your comments and questions below or email us at 2kadventureclub@gmail.com

Trip organizer: Kevin Phillips

Some Pics from the event. 

 See Facebook for the rest of the pics.

2K Adventure Club 1/25/2011 Meeting

Last nights meeting was small but positive. It seams each meeting there are new faces and a willingness to offer support. That's what will make this club grow and be more fun for everyone. Our Winter Backpacking/Camping trip planning at Chain O Lakes State Park is off to a good start. We are looking into reserving the remote group site. We have one more meeting scheduled before this event and should have our ducks in a row by then.

We decided to plan one "BIG" trip each month and those trips will be posted on our club calendar by the first week of February. Smaller local trips will continue, and of course there will always be the Tiki Tuesday paddles at Lake Elizabeth, and the Silver Lake Breakfast paddles in Silver Lake, WI. This year, we'll be offering paddling safety instruction and practicing self rescue and assisted rescue techniques.

Also, We're going to try and incorporate multiple activities into planned events. For example, we'll plan a gathering or camping event where there are areas to paddle, hike, and climb... at the meeting location. This way, you and or your family will be able decide what you want to do and wrap it up with a cozy camp fire and camping if you choose.

In the interest of eliminating conflicts between 2K Adventure Gear's (STORE) calendar and 2K Adventure Clubs calendar, we have separated them. The difference between the calendars is that the store sponsors events and provides services and support where as the club is more of a social connection with like minded individuals. However, there may be times when store and club events merge. For a quick look of both calendars, click on the club blog, there you will see both calendars; the clubs' on the top and the stores' on the bottom. Or, visit 2K adventure Gears' web site and click on Tours to view the calendar that way.

Looking forward to seeing you

Backpacker Magazine Recipe Center

After the view, the thrill, the experience, the pain & suffering, and the comradery - the food is what we look forward to.  Here is a Link to BACKPACKER'S Food & Recipe Center.  Enjoy.

New years Day Paddle 2011

Very cold day. The water froze on the boats and skirts adding about 10 pounds to the weight (or was that all the donuts i packed in the cockpit). We went from Keystone to Sping Grove in under 4 hours.


Unfortunately we found this 9 point buck in the river near Spring Grove. I couldn't tell if it had been shot but it was frozen solid.

Winter Backpack and Camp, Friday Feb 25th - Sunday, Feb 27th

Join 2k Adventure Club and learn about winter backpacking and camping skills.  This radical departure from your warm cozy bed will shed some light on how to stay warm by choosing the proper clothing, gear, and foods.  We'll plan on meeting at the Chain O Lakes State Park on Friday February 25th, hike, camp, review, and hike more on Saterday.  We'll repeat it til Sunday if anyones up for it.

Here is a Winter Checklist that you may want to review.  Also, Pray for more snow because this would be an outstanding opportunity to become more familiarized with Snow Shoeing! 

We will be reserving a camp site, so depending on how many people are interested, we will need to reserve a single camp site or a group camp site.  Therefore, we need to know if you will be attending by Thursday, Feb 17th.  Also, because this is a club event, there will be a small fee to cover the cost of the camp site.

Come to the store on Tuesday Jan 25th for a more details and to drop off your camping fee.  If you can't make it to the meeting, stop by 2KAG and Rick will be happy to accept your money on the club's behalf.

2K Adventure Club 2011 Calendar

Our ideas meeting took place on Tuesday Jan. 11th at 2K Adventure Gear in Richmond, Illinois.  Nine positively outdoorsy souls combined their passions to put together some great ideas for the clubs 2011 calendar.  Our intention is to have the calendar published by February 1st.

The conversation at the meeting was rich.  We discussed local and distant destinations, more diversity in club activities, and I'm pretty sure we have more volunteers to organize and leed these expeditions.

Last year, we were having difficulties in spreading the word and knowing who would show up for 2K Club events.  (My Bad)  But, because we are now entering our second year, there is more insight to how the club calendar needs to operate.  This year, you will be invited to come and be asked to RSVP.  However, we do not want to over do the emails.  So, we'll only send two emails per event.  One to notify and one to remind.  And to make this more simple for us, you will only receive a invitation link to the Club Blog.  The Blob itself will contain the details.  Some who were not able to attend the meeting expressed their ideas.  Simply put, Tiki Tuesdays and Silver Lake Sundays will be there in 2011.  But, there will be more emphasis on skills and safety.  More info to come.  Also, work schedules may prohibit some from participating in club events.  So we encourage you to organize, schedule, and leed events you have a passion for and feel comfortable heading - regardless of the day of the week.

Here is a taste of what we discussed at the meeting:

• Day Paddles
• Multi Day Paddles
• White Water Paddles and Lessons
• Paddle skills & Training (dumping on purpose, with help in the water)
• Backpacking
• Hiking for Exercise
• Snow Shoeing
• Winter Camping
• Backpacking/Winter Camping
• Rock Climbing
• And one that I just thought of: How to get the most exercise out of paddling. (Tiki Tuesdays and Silver Lake Sundays)

Location Ideas:

• Boundary Waters (DR)
• Quetico (EL)
• Isle Royal (LG)
• Sylvia Wilderness Area (LG)
• Current River (DR)
• Porky Mt's. (RG)
• Plus The Local Areas
• (Bosses Allowing)

Before writing this post, I was thinking - WOW, what a goal for the club!  Then I thought, WOW, what a goal for an individual to achieve this goal.

The bottom line - The club will do all of this - this year.  The question is, who will achieve this goal with the club? 

As always, respond to: 2kadventureclub@gmail.com 

Consider being an event leader.

Rich