September Trip Questions

[u/Imaginary-Section864]

I'm heading to the island for a 7 night backpacking trip in mid-September. I'm planning to carry an extra day's worth of food in case of a ferry delay on the return, but given the recent two day delay I'm now wondering if I should take enough for two extra days, especially with the RH store closed during shoulder season.

Does anyone have any advice or experience or opinions on this? I was kind of hoping there would be a secret hikers' box stash of extra food for delayed ferry passengers, because I don't want to carry the extra weight, but I think this is probably just a fantasy.

On a more minor note, could anyone speak to the current bug situation? Can I leave the bug net hat at home and get away with a tiny bottle of DEET?

Any other recommendations for shoulder season, especially related to cold/rain gear?

[u/Suspicious_Panda_104]

I can’t speak for the ferry. But when I went a few years ago flights were delayed for up to 3-5 days going into the last day of the season for flights. I was the last flight of the season to Michigan and luckily we were actually early cause there was a single window of visibility and they just pumped us off the island. People trying to fly to MN had been stuck for 3 day in Windigo, the rangers were starting to go into their personal reserves for ramen and other super basics cause people were out of food

I’d absolutely pack at least one days worth of food especially since it’s at the end of the season, everything is closed and it sucks to be bored and hungry. I could only eat so many Windgo apples