-23F Below Zero in Michigans Upper Peninsula(Pic Explosion)

[Sagewood]

I recently made a trip the the Ottawa National Forest in Michigans Upper Peninsula with our local outdoors group, Lake Superior Woodsman. We hiked in Friday night, and stayed until Sunday. Friday nights low was -6F, and Saturdays low was -23F, which was a new record for me.

I didnt get any more pics on Friday night. We had 2 miles to go, darkness was falling, and we were trudging in by headlamp. The snow was about waist deep, and even large snow shoes had trouble with floating on the fresh snow.

Saturday Morning. That doo-hickey in the upper right is a temp gauge receiver, one for those indoor/outdoor temp gauges. Its tough to find a decent thermometer that will go well below zero.

My tent setup.

Everyone else was rockin' hammocks.

Saturday night. The temp was steadily dropping through the night. Thankfully the wind died down, and it was calm. We were at about -13F at this point.

We woke up next morning to see this reading on the thermometer.

The hike back out. By now the trail in was frozen enough that we could walk back without snowshoes.

My sleeping setup for this trip was a 20* sleeping bag inside of a 0* sleeping bag, with 3 sleeping pads underneath(Air, foam, and Reflectex). On Saturday night I draped my anorak and wool Boreal shirt over my sleeping bag for added warmth. On Sunday morning the head hole in my sleeping bag was heavily frosted all along the edge from condensation from my breathing, as well as frost right about my head on the tent wall. It will sure wake you up when you bump the tent wall and that frozen condensation lands on your face haha

It was a great trip, and a great test of gear. You really learn what works and what doesnt when you dip that far below the freezing point. I stayed warm and comfortable both nights. I am often asked "But how can you stay warm?". As if staying warm in deep cold is this mythical thing that is only achievable with high end technical winter gear. As you can see, alot of our winter clothing is wool and fleece found at the local Goodwill for cheap. If you are cold, than there is something you are not doing it correctly. Look at what your clothing is MADE OF, not always who its MADE BY.

So whats the secret then? There isn't one. Just keep yourself well fed, well hydrated, have lots of insulation, and keep it DRY.

Thanks for looking!

 

[austexjg]

Looks like a great time - a little too cold for this Texas boy.

 

[MrFixIt]

Looks like a great time - a little too cold for this Texas boy.

I'm shivering just looking at the pictures!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[ISP 5353]

Looks awesome! Thanks!!!!

 

[Cody Hofsommer]

Good stuff Brian! I might have to join ya next year!

 

[willrise]

BADASSARY fun Indeed, thanks for the pix. :thumbup:

 

[2TONYB]

Looks like a great time. Nice pics!

 

[fmajor007]

I miss winters in the 'Mit........

Thanks for the pics and write up (and a bit of a stroll down memory lane)

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Doc

 

[tiguy7]

My winter bag is rated to 30 below, but I have never used it under 20 below. My mountain tent has a cheesecloth frost liner. The moisture from your breath rises through the permeable cloth, freezes on the inside of the tent ceiling, and falls back down as snow when the fabric is disturbed and is collected on the top of the gauze. If it is not too windy, I leave my tent door open (no bugs) to get rid of additional moisture.
Winter camping is quite clean. No mud or sand in the tent. Just don't have a pizza party inside. Snow tent stakes are surprisingly easy to find. Thermoelectric pots let you charge your phone while you're melting snow. Lithium batteries work well at lower temps. Some ski goggles have fans inside to prevent condensation if you are working hard (pulling a sled or chopping wood).
Right now it is -10 in GR. It is supposed to drop to -18 or -20 later tonight. I notice that when the temp gets this low, my skis don't slide very well, even with a hard smooth wax. I need to throw another log on the fire.
You guys look like you're having a lot of fun/camaraderie. I have a hard time rounding up a group of winter campers.

 

[Woods Walker]

Yup that's cold. Sounds like a great time!

 

[Swampdog]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing your adventure, I always enjoy seeing other parts of the country and how people deal with adverse camping conditions.

 

[KuRUpTD]

WAY too cold for my blood...looks like a blast though.

 

[mewolf1]

Looks like a great time. Wish I was closer.:thumbup:
The coffee pot I've been lookin for is in your camp too.

 

[knoefz]

Looks like you guys had an awesome trip.
I live in a milder climate.
I'm not equipped for those temps, but really enjoyed the pics.

 

[monster]

What no Speedos?

Wow honestly guys way to smack old man winter right on the beak! My hats off to you fellas keep on keeping on.

 

[Liberando]

Many thanks, well done! I especially liked seeing folks wearing the GI mukluks, great winter boots!

Brought back some memories of when I was a scout in Alaska, many moons ago.

 

[supertac916]

Thanks for sharing. That's freaking cold!! Looks like all of your gear held up and a great time.

 

[Mannlicher]

and here I was, worrying about camping next week with temps down in the high forties.

 

[vanslem6]

It was -23˚ down in the southern part of the state only a week ago. Looks like a great time. It sure is pretty up there regardless of the time of year. Not many people make it up in the winter though! Very cool.