04/03/2026

April Showers…

What’s on the Schedule?

Spring is here! We conquered our first backpacking trip of the season over the weekend, hiking over 12 miles through Mammoth Cave National Park. This group faced a light rain on the first day, near freezing temperatures every morning, and multiple hikes off-trail to collect water. They worked hard, which paid off in views, sunshine, laughter, and new friendships.

This month we’ll be embarking on The Nomadology’s first trip in Colorado, and we could not be more excited! We’ll spend one night on the California Zephyr train, one night in Grand Junction, and two nights on the trail in Colorado National Monument. Make sure you join our Facebook page to see photos after the trip!

The Nomadology has big goals this year, including hosting more trips than ever before! This wouldn’t be possible without our four co-leaders, Hanna, Rachel, Monique, and Becky. If you’re interested in co-leading backpacking trips, keep an eye out for our Wilderness First Aid Course in July, (posting soon!) and Outdoor Leadership Course in the Fall.

Not interested in leading, but still want to add to your backpacking toolkit? Join us in Indiana next month for a 4-day backpacking trip to learn the skills that we don’t have time to teach on the beginner trips. Practice navigation, route planning, meal preparation, and knot tying! There’s only a couple of spots left, and it’s our only trip on the website that isn’t currently sold out- don’t miss out!

A beginner backpacking trip to North Manitou Island in July will be posted next week, guided by Clara and Becky. Fall trips will start rolling out at the end of May, including a brand new intermediate trip to the Adirondacks!

Check out all of our Upcoming Trips!

Call to Action:

Have you heard about the Copperwood Mine Project? This approved mining project proposal is located in Gogebic County along the shore of Lake Superior, adjacent to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

The Porkies Need our Help!

The Copperwood Mine Project is putting one of our favorite designated wilderness areas at risk! The location of the mine is near the mouth of the Presque Isle River, right next to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. This land naturally drains into Lake Superior.
This type of mine (Sulfide-Ore Copper Mine) is known to pollute water because of the chemical reaction that happens when the sulfide minerals in the rocks are exposed to air and water during drilling. This reaction produces Sulfuric Acid, which changes the pH of waterways, and leaches heavy metals (mercury, arsenic, lead) from the surrounding rock. This reaction cannot be stopped once it starts, and will continue indefinitely even after the mine has closed. This destruction of natural resources is well documented at closed mines all over the country, including in California, Colorado, Montana, and Vermont.
Think about the eco-tourism dollars collected by the Michigan DNR from hunters, anglers, hikers, kayakers, skiers, campers, and birders, year round, every year. These dollars protect and manage this area for the Michigan taxpayers, who own this land.
Now think about Highland Copper, a foreign company, that asked the State of Michigan for a $50 Million grant to fund infrastructure for their for-profit project. Highland Copper is promising that this project will produce around 300 jobs in the area for a number of years.
Sustainable? A good compromise? We don’t think so.

Here are 3 things you can do to help protect these lands, YOUR lands:
1. Each time the project requires a permit, a public comment period opens. You can submit a public comment to be entered into the legal record. Your comments can be long or short, include personal stories, technical arguments, and voice your opinion. In Michigan, EGLE (Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, previously known as MDEQ) handles the regulations and permitting.
2. Contact elected officials. Michigan state representatives, state senators, and governor are all public servants that were elected by you and work for you. You can call, write, or email your elected officials and let them know your thoughts on the mine. You can ask questions about the project, the long term economic plans, and what they will do to protect your land.
3. Share information, sign petitions, and join organizations that oppose the mine, like Protect the Porkies. Mining companies and politicians know that if the public is not educated on the proposals it will be easier to secure permits and funding. Staying informed and spreading awareness can make a big impact.

Although the project has been approved, it is not fully built or fully funded. This means that public pressure can still be leveraged, and your involvement matters.

Information Links
Protect the Porkies Copper Mine Pollution EGLE Project Summary

Nomad of the Month

I am so honored to announce Kristine as our Nomad of the Month! Kristine took the leap and joined our very first backpacking trip in 2020, when our Facebook group had only a handful of followers, no photos, no reviews, just potential! Kristine’s trust in me, and appetite for adventure helped to build the foundation of The Nomadology. She has now been on backpacking trips all over the country with us and with her family! Here’s what she shared with us this month:

Have you had any outdoor experiences that changed the way you think about the world?
I had the pleasure of living in Switzerland for a summer during undergraduate school.  I quickly grew to appreciate the time and gratitude my colleagues had for spending time outdoors.  I made sure to practice the same habits while I was there and continued extra love for the outdoors since. 

What is one piece of advice that you would like to offer to the next generation?
Take advantage of every opportunity. Learn new skills.  We are only on this earth for a short time, make the most of it.

Reflecting on your life thus far, are there any big moments that you are thankful for your bravery? How have those moments impacted your life?
The moment I walked away from my marriage. I left and within a year, I felt more freedom and happiness than I had in a long time; all the while raising 4 kids under ten, by myself, 24/7.

For women curious about backpacking, what would you say to recommend it or encourage them?

The best part of backpacking is being unplugged.  I have gone on many beginner trips—not because I needed to learn new skills, but I needed off the grid time outdoors.  It does wonders for mental health!!!  Clara’s trips are a no judgment zone, and everyone builds each other up. This is a supportive group, so feel free to ask on the FB page or email Clara with questions.