Canvas Tents?

[Trucks]

Thinking of doing some camping in the Boundary Waters. Dont know too much about canvas tents. Just wondering if its a must or what others use when they camp there in the winter. I don't plan on going in far(couple miles) as I would assume its very hard treking through the bw in the winter without dogs. Thanks in advance

[Jackpine Rob]

There is a pretty decent thread going in the BWCA forum about this general topic.

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2436304/1

[Powerstroke]

A canvas tent is certainly not necessary.

Winter camping can be done in anything from a canvas tent with a woodstove to a snowcave to a bivy sack or tarp.

The most important thing is no matter what you use for shelter, if anything, you need to have a weather rated sleeping bag. Just because you drag the heavy tent and stove doesn't mean you'll be able to start a fire or find suitable wood.

Its no harder trekking in the winter in the BWCA than anywhere else. You may be on a well used trail and you may not. That can happen in anywhere you camp. Don't get psyched out by the "BWCA" part of it. If you're confident in your skills, you will be fine. If you're not completely confident, the BWCA isn't the place to prove yourself.

Bringing the stove/tent combo does add a lot of weight, but it is worth it if you have the ability to drag it out there.

There are pro's and con's to each. If you want to try it out do it somewhere locally so you can get comfortable with it.

[Spike76]

My brotherinlaw has done it. He said it was hard to keep things from freezing, and that he woke up in a puddle, from the snow melting under the tent. Have fun and becareful.

[Powerstroke]

There are certain things to consider if you plan on doing the hot tent. When I setup in the canvas tent, or any winter setup with heat, I make sure to elevate my sleeping area by creating a shelf above the floor if possible or else to pack down the entire site and then dig the main area a little lower. This allows a place for cool air to settle and any moisture will also settle to the low spot. Your goal is to not be in the low spot where you would get wet.