Winter Camping

You may be asking yourself, “Why on earth would anyone want to go camping in the winter?!” I posed this question to Dr. Jim Colbert, Retired ISU Biology Professor, who has been winter camping since a teenager. At the top of his ‘why go winter camping list’ is No Weeds and No Bugs! Camping and hiking in the woods as a youngster, Dr. Colbert experienced his fair share of bushwacking through undergrowth and batting swarms of blood sucking mosquitos. After one particular summer trip with a memorable encounter with stinging nettles he asked himself and camp mates, “Hey why don’t we go camping and hiking more in the winter.... then we won’t have to deal with these blasted nuisances?!”

Another reason high on the ‘why go winter camping list’ is Solitude. Imagine having a piece of wilderness all to yourself. Just you and whomever you have coerced to join you, your tent, supplies and a blanket of white terrain just waiting to be explored. The challenge and toil of the winter camping experience is a high you’ll be remembering long after returning to the comfort of your home. Plus, you’ll get to regale your friends and family with tales of all the hardships you endured, how much fun you had being nearly frozen solid and how you can hardly wait to go again!

I came to the same conclusions about winter camping as Dr. Colbert has. I sought out quiet places away from busy campgrounds and cold weather is a great way to thin the crowds.  After itchy and painful encounters with poison ivy and wild parsnip, winter camping became a necessity!

With a combined 68 years of winter camping experience, we offer some tips to get you started on your winter camping adventure.

Choose a destination

This can be close to home at a local park or make it a week-long trip to a wilderness area. Some favorite winter destinations of Dr. Colbert and mine are: Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest WI, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park MI, Superior National Forest MN, Boundary Waters Canoe Area MN, Yellow River State Forest IA. Also research your favorite state, county, and wildlife areas to discover even more winter camping opportunities near you.

Keep these tips in mind when choosing your winter camping destination. Some places still require a permit in the winter and some do not. Research permit requirement for your trip. How much solitude are you looking for? Some areas allow snowmobile access in the winter. For the BWCA, smaller lakes freeze earlier and thaw earlier. Snow depth impacts ice thickness too.

Equipment

For true backcountry places like BWCA, snowshoes or xc skis and a pulk is essential for deep snow navigation. XC skis with climbing skins are useful as most of the time there’s not a whole lot of ski gliding being done. A pulk is a gear hauler system that includes: a sled, poles (traces) and a harness. Check out Skipulk for pulk systems: https://skipulk.com For a single overnighter without deep snow, a good quality backpacking pack would work.

A three-season backpacking tent works just fine for recreational winter camping. Choose a size that fits your group and packs in your pulk or backpack system. There are also hot tents, but keep in mind they are typically bulkier and heavier with the stove and flue. They are also not feasible for camping on ice.

Down or synthetic sleeping bag? Synthetic!!! At night, moisture from your body and breath creates condensation. Some of that moisture gets trapped in your sleeping bag too. Synthetic filling resists moisture, retaining it’s loft unlike down that when wet, loses it loft and the ability to help keep you warm. While synthetic bags are bulkier and weigh more than down, it’s worth it for the warmth when moist. A sleeping pad gets you off the cold ground and adds warmth to your sleep system. Look for a pad with some R-Value for added insulation.

Site selection and firewood

Choose your camping spot wisely. Dr. Colbert’s hard learned lesson is, “A campsite with a great view = a campsite that is brutally windy and cold.” It’s best to select an area that is protected from the wind. Pick a spot that is also within proximity to firewood, as you’ll be looking for plenty of fuel to keep your fire toasty into the long night. There’s a saying about the process of procuring firewood, “Campfire wood warms you three times! When you gather it, when you saw it up, and finally when you sit around the fire from it.” A folding hand saw is a great tool for gathering firewood. A fire starter is essential. Bring multiple methods so you have failsafe options in getting a fire started. Fire starting options are: flint and steel, ferro rod, traditional/butane lighter and water proof matches. Practice your fire-starting skills before embarking on your trip.

Food and Water

What do you eat winter camping? The short answer...a lot and everything you can! On top of the calories burned for all your effort to get to your destination, you’ll be burning calories just to stay warm. Think fats, lots of fats. Camp favorites include bacon (half cooked at home), butter, oatmeal, rye bread (fried in bacon grease and butter), raisins, peanuts, jerky, chocolate bars, GORP, liquid Jello (make and drink warm), Lipton soup mix made with butter and rice, freeze dried meals, and fried summer sausage. For water...snow! Melt snow for water. Note that it takes a lot of snow to get enough water. If you’re going on a short trip such as a single overnight, it’s possible to pack in your water and keep it from freezing during the night by sleeping with your water bottle(s).

To cook your food and boil water the best methods are a backpacking white gas stove or campfire. Propane backpack stoves may be a possible option on a single overnight trip, but the propane canister must be kept warm for it to work in cold temps. Propane stoves like a JetBoil work down to about 20º F. For melting snow for water, a fire is your best bet as it takes a lot of white gas to melt snow.

What do I wear?

When choosing your clothing for winter camping, think layers. A moisture wicking base layer, insulating warmth layer and shell layer. Choose base and warmth layers made of fleece, wool, or synthetic materials to move moisture effectively and retain heat when moisture accumulates. Bring plenty of wool socks so you can change out if needed. A light and heavy outer layer are also useful for regulating temperature for daytime activities or hanging around camp. Having an extra pair of camp boots/slippers is great for around the camp at night. Remember to dry your other boots or plan to keep them from freezing at night. Other must have clothing items are gloves/mittens, wool/fleece hat, a balaclava for sleeping, neck gaiter, and leg gaiters. Lip balm is another essential, bring two!

Hazards and Safety

Winter camping is a beautiful challenge, but inherent to any outdoor activity it comes with risks and hazards. Know and test your cold weather tolerances, hypothermia and frost bite are serious concerns.

Test your gear selections on an easier, close to home overnighter before diving all in on a multi-day winter camping expedition. Plan and let someone know where you are going and when you plan on being back. Bring a communication device with you. A cell phone may work in some areas, but you’ll need to keep it warm and dry. A satellite messaging device such as a SPOT works for areas with no cell service. Use Extreme Caution if you are traversing across ice, be aware of ice conditions. Snow on lakes can be deceiving and can insulate ice formation underneath. There is also slush and overflow on lakes that must be taken into consideration. Carry ice picks that are easily accessible in the event of a fall through the ice.

The juxtaposition of beauty and harsh conditions is what makes winter camping so special. With the lack of weeds, undergrowth, and tree leaves you get to view the wilderness from a whole new perspective. Rocky outcroppings and bluffs become stand out focal points. Spying animal tracks in the snow is a delight. Snow ripples on trees and rocks create fascinating patterns to study. The stillness of winter is compounded with extended time camping in the elements. While winter camping has its challenges, it’s well worth the effort to experience it from a human powered camping adventure.