Think lightweight and compact

By Mike Ostroushko

Go ahead and ask Mike where he’s been backpacking. Better yet, ask him to show you pictures. Now you know why we asked him to give us a holiday wishlist for the backpacker in your life. Love Mike’s ideas but can’t get to Grand Marais? We’ve got you covered! Give us a call at (218) 387-3136, tell us what you want, and we’ll ship it to you or directly to the lucky person on your gift list.

• Opinel Carbon Steel No. 9
  Lightweight, durable, and simple to use, the Opinel pocket folding knife is perfect for any backpacking adventure.
• Sea To Summit Titanium Spork
  If there is one back-country eating utensil to rule them all, this is the one. Long enough to eat out-of-the-bag and rugged enough to last a lifetime.
• Outdoor Research Airpurge Dry Compression Sack
  This is one item I would never backpack without. Keep your gear condensed, dry, and organized at all times with this dry compression sack.
• NEMO Tensor 20R Insulated Sleeping Pad
  Enjoy a comfortable nights rest in the back country with this insulated lightweight and extremely packable sleeping pad.
• Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack 20L
  Packing down to nearly nothing in its own stuff sack and weighting less than 3oz, the Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack is the perfect extra pack for your long adventures.
• Darn Tough Appalachian Trail Conservancy Socks
  Backpackers can surely appreciate a sock that is “guaranteed for life.” This particular pair also helps to fund the Appalachian Trail, what more could a backpacker ask for?
• Luci Inflatable Solar Light
  This lightweight, long lasting, quick-charging, waterproof, and inflatable solar light has proven a valiant item for any back country excursion. Never find yourself in the dark.
• The North Country Trail by Ron Strickland
  Your definitive guide to backpacking one of the greatest trails in the world, the North Country Trail.
• MSR ISOPRO
  These little cans of gas provide the fuel necessary to ensure you have hot meals and coffee in the back country.
• Camp Chow Shrimp Alfredo 2
  Locally made and staff-approved, these Camp Chow meals are not only filling and easy to prepare, they taste like a delicious home cooked meal. You can’t go wrong serving up some Camp Chow on your next excursion.
• NEMO Fillo Luxury
  Gone are the days of sleeping on rolled-up clothes in the back country. NEMO has perfected a very compact, lightweight, inflatable pillow with memory foam that’ll give your pillow at home a run for its money.
• Osprey Levity 60
  Comfortably holding up to 60L and 80lbs, the ultralight Levity 60 backpack by Osprey is a backpackers dream pack.
• Stone Harbor Gift Card for when all else fails.