August 6, 2018

Dear Women’s Superior Hiking Trail Hikers,

What better way to celebrate the transition between summer and fall than by hiking through the woods, enjoying gorgeous fall colors and breathtaking vistas of Lake Superior? We are looking forward to spending several days with you all on the beautiful Superior Hiking Trail.

This adventure will introduce you to the beauty and ruggedness of Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail. Hikes will be challenging, but also rewarding. While you don’t need to have to be a serious hiker to enjoy this adventure, good physical fitness and mental strength will be very important. We can cater our hikes to various abilities so don’t worry if you feel you may be too slow. Just come with a great PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) and the excitement to take in the trail and all the beauty that a Minnesota fall has to offer!

Attached is your participant information including directions to the Audubon Center of the North Woods (ANCW), tentative schedule, suggested packing list and required forms. Please feel free to contact us if you have additional questions. Please note that there are two required forms that need to be returned to us as soon as possible – the Health and Liability forms. Please email or fax back to us at your earliest convenience. Email: audubon1@audubon-center.org Fax: 320-245-5272. If you are unable to fax or email the completed forms, please email us immediately (audubon1@audubon-center.org) with any dietary restrictions and/or allergies, and bring the forms with you when you check-in.

Please plan to arrive at ACNW anytime between 9-9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 29. You can refer to the enclosed map and driving directions to ACNW if needed. We will be loading the vans, packing our trail lunches and departing here by 10:30 a.m. Our goal is to be back to ACNW between 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3. We will be staying at the Cascade Lodge Saturday and Sunday nights and at Cove Point Lodge on Monday and Tuesday nights.

Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions. We’re looking forward to a great adventure with a great group of women!

Connie Haugen Program Director and trip leader 320-245-2648, ext. 111haugen@audubon-center.org

Kara Hanson Trip co-leader

To complete the fillable forms in this PDF electronically, first SAVE the PDF to your computer, open this in Acrobat Reader (not a web browser), complete the forms, RESAVE, and email as an attachment.

Driving directions to

Audubon Center of the North Woods 54165 Audubon Dr., Sandstone, MN 55072

320-245-2648

If searching for our location online, use maps.google.com

Audubon Center GPS coordinates

(46.117186384284004, -92.99793720245361)

Driving directions to the Audubon Center From the Twin Cities and Duluth:

1. From Interstate 35, exit on the Sandstone Exit 191.

2. Go west on Hwy 61 just over two miles.

3. Take a right on County Road 27, cross the Munger bike trail, turn left at the ‘T’ (Grindstone Lake Road) and go just over three miles.

4. Take a right on County Road 17 (Fox Road) and go about 100 feet.

5. Turn left between the stone pillars (Audubon Road – our driveway).

6. PROCEED directly to main office/dining hall for check-in – just follow our mile-long driveway all the way until it ends at the parking lot and the office.

About 3 miles About 2 miles

Women’s Adventure Spree - Experience the Superior Hiking Trail Sept. 29 – Oct. 3, 2018

Highlights:

Lodge accommodations – two nights at Cascade Lodge; two nights at Cove Point Challenging yet rewarding hiking. Be prepared for some mud, rocks, roots, hills and BEAUTY! Some hikes will be point-to-point with shuttles; other hikes will be loops Beautiful scenery and (hopefully) perfect Minnesota fall weather!

Itinerary (Subject to change): Saturday, Sept. 29

• Arrive at Center by 9:30 a.m. • Depart and drive north (10:30 a.m.) • Picnic lunch • Hike Temperance to Britton (5 miles) • Check in/leisurely afternoon • Dinner – homemade in our cabin • Optional evening hike: Pincushion Mtn (headlamps/flashlights may be needed) • Stay at Cascade Lodge

Sunday, Sept. 30

• Optional early morning hike: in Cascade State Park (headlamps/flashlights may be needed) • Breakfast at Cascade Lodge restaurant • Hike Lutsen to Caribou trail (6.5 miles) • Bag lunch on the trail • Continue hike • Dinner – homemade in our cabin • Optional evening hike: Oberg Mtn (headlamps/flashlights may be needed) • Stay at Cascade Lodge

Monday, Oct. 1

• Breakfast at Cascade Lodge restaurant • Pack up and drive to Bean/Bear trailhead • Hike Bean/Bear loop (approx. 6 miles) OR Silver Bay to Tettegouche (approx. 11 miles) (This hike

will be determined by group) • Bag lunch on the trail • Continue hike • Dinner – homemade in our cabin • Stay at Cove Point Lodge

Tuesday, Oct. 2

• Breakfast – homemade in our cabin• Hike Split Rock River Loop from Cove Point Trail (distance TBD)• Bag lunch on the trail• Hike around Split Rock State Park if time allows• Dinner at Cove Point• Stay at Cove Point Lodge

Wednesday, Oct 3

• Breakfast – homemade in our cabin• Pack up and leave Cove Point• Hike in Duluth on SHT or Lakewalk (location TBD)• Eat lunch out in Duluth (location TBD)• Drive to Center• Depart by 2:30 p.m.

Suggested packing list

We will be out hiking in all weather (rain, shine, snow, wind, heat, cold) so keep that in mind when planning clothing.

• Comfortable and properly fitted daypack. Should be large enough to carry water, lunches, rain gear, flashlight/

headlamp, and optional gear

• Refillable water bottle (1 quart or larger is recommended). Hydration backpacks would be a good option also

• Hat, bandana or some head covering to protect from sun and possible bugs

• Rain gear. Works well for both rain and wind. Jacket required; pants would be recommended

• Flashlight or headlamp with appropriate batteries

• Sunscreen and bug spray (though bugs may not be an issue!)

• Trekking poles, or sturdy walking stick, if needed

• Camera/phone

• Personal toiletries items (shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.)

• Personal medications (Epi-pen, etc.) - if weather is warm, wasps and hornets will likely be present

• Foot care products if you’re prone to blisters

• Personal snacks if you feel you may need more to eat than the bag lunch we’ll make for the trail

• Appropriate clothing and footwear for 5 days of hiking in a variety of weather – watch the weather forecast and

plan for dressing in layers

o Comfortable and sturdy shoes for hiking on uneven terrain, rocks and possibly mud

o Comfortable hiking socks

o Comfortable long pants that allow good mobility for hiking

o Long sleeve shirt(s)

o Warm fleece or wool sweater, jacket or coat

o Short-sleeve t-shirts

o Shorts if warm weather is forecasted

o Undergarments

o Sleeping attire

o Comfy clothing, socks and shoes for evening lounging and casual walking

• Please note: A selection of wine and beer will be provided along with non-alcoholic beverages. However, feel

free to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages of your choice to enjoy or share in the evenings, if desired.

Guest’s Name

Mailing Address

City, State Zip

Cell or Home Phone E-mail Address

Date of Birth

1. Do you have any of the following conditions?

Epilepsy/seizures Bleeding/clotting disorder Heart Asthma/emphysema

High blood pressure Diabetes OTHER:

Allergies (food, environmental, medication): No known allergies2.

3. Dietary preferences or restrictions (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.). Note: We make every attempt to offer andidentify vegetarian and gluten-free menu options at each meal. If you have severe food restrictions or specialized dietary needs, youmay need to bring supplemental food.

Do not take any medications4. List any medications taken on a daily basis (or attach separate sheet):

5. Do any medications require refrigeration? Yes No

6. Do you have any other Medical Condition of which the Center should be aware? (describe below)

Yes No7. Will you have any special Medical requirements during this event?

I hereby release the above information for use of the Audubon Center of the North Woods and/or any other

medical personnel who might need to provide care to me during this event.

In the event of an emergency, I authorize treatment by emergency medical personnel.

Signature Date

Insurance Information

Carrier

Policy #

Group #

Insurance Phone

Primary Physician (s)

Name

Phone

Name

Phone

Emergency Contact

Name

Relationship

Daytime Phone

Evening Phone

Health Form Please send completed and signed form to: Audubon Center of the North Woods PO Box 530, Sandstone, MN 55072 Phone: 320-245-2648, ext. 101; Fax: 320-245-5272 Email: audubon1@audubon-center.org

This Form MUST be completed for each guest.

2018 Women's Superior Hiking Trail

Form MUST be signed for each individual before program participation

It is the school's/group’s responsibility to collect signed liability releases from each adult participant and from a parent/guardian of each youth participant (if applicable) and submit all releases to the Audubon Center.

Assumption of Risk and Liability Release

Participant Name _____________________________________________________________________

❑ I will be participating / ❑ I authorize the above-named participant to participate in the program at the Audubon Center ofthe North Woods. I acknowledge and am aware that this program involves certain inherent risks which I expressly accept andassume. These risks may include (but are not limited to) physical injury, emotional injury, paralysis, permanent disability,illness, death or property damage due to inclement weather; walking on uneven trails; canoeing; cross country skiing;snowshoeing; rock climbing and belaying on an indoor climbing wall; a high ropes course activity; field trips to non-AudubonCenter sites; and other peoples’ actions. Following appropriate medical consultation, I have determined that my child’s/myhealth is adequate to participate safely in this program (except as indicated on the Student or Adult Health Form). In theevent of an emergency, I authorize treatment by emergency medical personnel.

Accordingly, I hereby voluntarily release and forever discharge the Audubon Center of the North Woods, including all of their personnel, agents, affiliates, staff and directors, from any and all liabilities to me with respect to injury, sickness, disease, loss or damage. This release applies to any and all liabilities to me or my estate of any description, whether arising from ordinary negligence or otherwise, and whether involving fees and expenses of any kind. In the event that some other person or entity seeks compensation for these released liabilities, I or my estate will indemnify and hold harmless the Audubon Center of the North Woods for all sums reasonably incurred in response to that claim. This release is to be interpreted and enforced under Minnesota law.

By signing this document, I understand and agree that if I am hurt or if my property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against the parties being release on the basis of any claim for negligence. I have had enough time to read this agreement and consult with legal counsel if I so chose to do so. I understand that this activity may not be made available to me if I were to choose not to sign this release. I have read and understood this document and I agree to be bound by its terms.

Signature (required)

Address

City, State, Zip ___________________________________________________ _____

Date ___________________________

I am a (please check one of the following):

❑ Participant of legal age/adult.

❑ Parent/Guardian who will not be attending the Audubon

Center program.

❑ Parent/Guardian/Chaperone who will attend the Audubon

Center program.

❑ Teacher/Staff Member of the participating school/group who

will attend the Audubon Center program.Select one below (required):

❑ Yes, I authorize the Audubon Center to use any photostaken during the visit in publicity materials for the Centerand understand my/my child’s name will not be used.

❑ No, I do not authorize the Audubon Center to use anyphotos taken during the visit in publicity materials

(Parent/Guardian or Participating Adult Signature required)

Liability Release Form Please send completed and signed form to: Audubon Center of the North Woods PO Box 530, Sandstone, MN 55072 Phone: 320-245-2648, ext. 101; Fax: 320-245-5272 Email: audubon1@audubon-center.org

2018 Women's Superior Hiking Trail