Getting started touring
 

I recently got back into biking and aquired a bike that actually fits me through a trade. I had an old Schwinn Frontier (short model, because I got it when I was 12. It actually looks like a cross between a BMX bike and a Mountain bike) which I traded to my dad for the below bike.

It is a Gary Fisher Marlin, and I believe it is either a 97 or 98 . I believe mine is the Matte Fern color, which is striking in a slightly obnoxious way.
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...rlin&Type=bike

It spent the majority of it's life stored indoors, with a significant portion of that life in my parent's basement (not sure how long, my dad ended up with it when someone moved. There is no rust on the frame, and only surface discoloration on a few of the derailer parts. Nothing I'm too worried about. Some of the components are chunky and dated, but everything feels pretty solid. It also needs a tune-up for shifting, and I think one of the weeks is out of true. Since I mainly ride around town with it now, I have already changed the standard tires to some more urban Kendas. I received a pretty nice Bontrager rear rack when I bought my road bike, so I transfered that over to the Marlin.

Do you think this could be a decent bike for shorter distance touring In Wisconsin? The frame fits me pretty well, and I can work a front rack and front and rear panniers into the budget when the time actually comes.

Thoughts?

That is an old-school hybrid, non-suspension, MTB gearing. It looks perfectly tourable to me.

+1 on the non suspension hybrid bike. I toured over 2k miles on my giant hybrid.

The one part you may need to consider is the seat. Seats that are comfortable for an hour several times a day, or are good for 4 hours straight can become uncomfortable for all day. There are lots of seat threads already.

Definately already working on that. I'm not sure if the current saddle is the original one, but a friend gave me one that should feel a lot better. I plan to do some longer rides before I commit myself to a 20+mile tour.

Spend time making your bike fit your body or you'll help your chiropractor pay for his Mercedes. ;)

+1 that. If it's a near fit, with experience you'll figure out what need tweeking. Most likely the bar height/configuration. Or with conditioning, you might decide the gearing is too low. Over the years, there is nothing original left on my Diamondback frame. Could have easily bought a new LHT and Orblied panniers for what I've spent upgrading and making it fit me just right. But it was fun, educational, and there isn't a stock bicycle that would fit me nearly as well. Loaded, rides as smooth as the chiropractor's Mercedes.

That being said, if touring turns out to be your "thing," might be best to look for a dedicated touring bike, rather than invest a lot trying to tune the Marlin to a comfortable fit.

"Do you think this could be a decent bike for shorter distance touring In Wisconsin?"

I have never ridden in Wisconsin, but am inclined to say, Absolutely! If it feels good to you, get that tune up, tweek it to your liking and ride that baby. Judging from the link you provided, it looks like a nice bike.