Winter Camping

[sparetime]

I am thinking of trying a new adventure this winter. Ice fishing in the boundary waters along with camping.

I have a large canvas cabin tent that we plan to use, along with a Mr. Buddy heater. Any tips that you can provide will be appreciated. Ex. do you set the tent up over snow, or clear the snow first.

Any tips from experience will be welcomed

[Redlantern]

I would skip the heavy tent and heater and invest in a good sleeping bag and pad. Have a good meal before heading into the tent for the night. When I'm travelling light, I don't bother with a tent, just a bivy sack that the sleeping bag goes in. As far as setting a tent up on the ice, I prefer to pack the snow down using snowshoes before putting the tent up. The snow will help with insulating you from the ice. Use a good tobaggon for pulling your gear. I picked up a heavy duty kids type tobaggon a few years ago from Gander Mountain. It seems to be about three or four times thicker than a kids sled. Easy to lash gear down since it is so rigid. It's easier for me to pull a heavy load rather than carry a heavy back pack. A couple lengths of pvc conduit or pipe and some rope run through them attached to a belt will help keep the sled from running over you on downhill sections of portages. I find snowshoes more practical than skis in the BWCA. Ski poles will help you quite a bit on portages when using snowshoes. Bring extra clothes and avoid cotten or anything that takes a long time to dry. Synthetic long underwear, such as polypro work pretty good for me. Don't plan on putting on as many miles as you would if you were hiking in the summer. In heavy snow you might average one mile an hour. It might not be a bad idea to try camping out in your backyard in the winter if you haven't camped in the cold before. Gives you an idea of what to expect. Have fun.

[surfs]

I use to camp out in the winter alot when I was younger. I remember putting my tent up and actually covering it with snow (the base, and all the way to the top) it was great for insulation/warmth at night. I defiantly agree with getting a GREAT sleeping bag (mummy bag) to sleep in. Alot of the points made earlier were dead on. Enjoy, because it's really refressing when you wake up and breath that fresh air first thing in the morning.

[Powerstroke]

Canvas tent is okay if you've got a quality heater to keep it warm. If you've got a standard Mr. Heater it probably doens't have the BTU's to heat your tent. Also, it burns oxygen in your tent and propane SUCKS when its cold out. Petroleum fuels are much better.

I have a quality mummy bag, a white gas stove (higher BTU's and burns better in the cold) closed cell foam pads and lots of synthetic clothing. The only natural fiber I would bring is wool. Wool kicks a$$!! I also purchased a candle lantern and this owrks well to warm (not heat) the inside of the tent preventing your condensation from freezing and snowing on you inside the tent.

Closed cell foam is better because it doesn't collapse. It will insulate as much as 40degrees difference.

Pack the snow under your tent. It will be a better insulater and will shield you from frozen ground. ALso if you set-up over dirt then you might make mud if your tent gets warm.

Last year was my first year winter camping on my own and I loved it and learned alot. I can't wait to do it again. My 5yr old wants to come this year so I have to try and find her a cold weather sleeping bag.

Good luck.

[Lake Alice]

I've done quite a bit of winter camping, in tents and snowcaves.

My advice: go with someone who is experienced at least once before you try doing it on your own. This is not like a summer trip where you can make some mistakes and recover form them. In the winter, mistakes (be they food, equipment or technique related) can and will kill you. At least read a book on it: there is an AMC complete guide to winter camping that is really good.

[Jim Uran]

Take some water bottles with. The thick plastic kind. Fill the with hot water and throw them in the bag with you. Really keeps your feet warm. We used to have a regular tent that we went in. Pack the snow and roll out a thin pad down below your tent. Biggest deal is the bag though make sure it's rated for a little colder than you think it's going to be. Don't cheap out on the bag man, It could cost you your life.