South Manitou Island 2000 And 2005

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Above is the prized South Manitou Lite,this fantastic Lighthouse located on the Island has been in service for over 150 years.Visitors are permitted to walk to the Top for a view of the Island and coast line.

The Crew for the 2000 South Manitou Dxpedition. Lou White-N8ZVB....Chuck Blair-W8VOM....Jim Cordes-KI8JD and Guest,Dustin Lemarbre.

Crew For the 2005 South Manitou DXpedition were: Chuck Blair,W8VOM,Jim Cordes,KI8JD,Randy Brunner,AG8A,Al Eckman,WW8WW and 4 operators from A.R.Y.G.L.The 2005 team was larger and the camping very rustic. We also buried a GeoCach treasure chest on the island!

Here we are at the start of our 2000 trip to South Manitou Island.The weather was fine at first but later started to rain.The waters were very calm.In 2005 the waters were very rough with 6 foot swells but we made it!

We were told on the 2000 trip that there would be no extra charge for our 400 lbs of equipment but when they saw what we had,they charged us extra! On the 2005 trip we had less equipment but we had to carry the equipment much further!South Manitou Island is pristine and they had many rules to keep it that way.No wheels of *any* kind! In 2000,our station was setup in the Boat House,it was kind of our Govenment to provide this and the Power for our equipment free of charge!

On the 2000 trip our Campsite was 1/2 mile away from the Boat house,we had to carry "everything"...no wheels! We did a lot of walking each day back and forth from the Boat house to the campsite. On the 2005 DXpedition,we had to make 2 trips to setup the campsite,we camped at Weather station campground. Each round trip was 2.7 miles,so...we had to walk and [carry] all of our equipment almost 6 miles.

REMEMBER..We don't do Island DXpeditions because they are easy...we do them because they are HARD!

Anyone can drive a couple of miles to do Field day,they just take the equipment out of their truck and they are all set!. Try hand carrying that same equipment 6 miles!!!

Nope: We don't do River Islands...We Leave River Islands To The "Minor Leagues"

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The 2005 South Manitou Island DXpeditions

South Manitou Island GeoCache Coordinates

N 45 00.026 - W 086 06853 At 593 Feet

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Here we are on our Ferry Boat,this was a smooth ride both trips and a far cry from the rough waters on the Beaver DXpedition.

Here is a long shot photo of South Manitou Island on our approach.We took many pictures but sadly, 2 rolls of film were lost by the developer

Here is a shot of North Manitou Island,we will one day activate this gem as well!

While this island is beautiful it is no cake walk! You better be in good shape to carry your equipment 6 miles two round trips.

We buried GPS treasure on this island and every island we visit.

Photo Credits

We thank Jim Cordes,KI8JD,Randy Brunner,AG8A and A.R.G.Y.L. Radio Club for providing the photos!