Winter Camping & Traveling

A

Ankar Sheng

Joined
Dec 5, 2008
Messages
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Well, winter's right around the bend as we all know, and this year I intend to do some more serious cross country skiing. I'd like to work my way up to tackling the Mantario trail via the canoe route, ski over the lakes and use the portages. Winter's here are harsh and unforgiving (-40C during the days isn't uncommon), this would be no walk in the park. Exposure is the fastest killer, I have no delusions about that. I need to learn more about camping and traveling in the snow, and practice these skills until I'm proficient before I tackle a serious trek, but that is the ultimate goal.

I'm not too sure about how things will work out. Will I need snow shoe's to traverse the portages? A sled to haul my gear (I'm assuming yes)? I'm thinking I should probably get a GPS unit, trail markers & karens . I've got a lot of burning questions about winter camping and traveling, it's a whole different game.

Any resources you can link me too? Books you can recommend? Experiences you can share?
 
IMO, this one Canadian source covers absolutely everything. No details are left out. It's a perfect match for where you are and what you want to do. Check out the articles by Hoop and the discussion forums. Like you said, this activity can be serious business. But these guys are the real deal. They'll open your mind to using cotton hot tents and wool clothing – appropriate for moisture management and comfort in the really cold temperatures you'll be experiencing. I've met Glen Hooper. He's always willing to help someone out if he can. Good luck.

wintertrekking.com
 
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Ankar Sheng said:
this would be no walk in the park. Exposure is the fastest killer, I have no delusions about that. I need to learn more about camping and traveling in the snow, and practice these skills until I'm proficient before I tackle a serious trek, but that is the ultimate goal.

I'm not too sure about how things will work out. Will I need snow shoe's to traverse the portages? A sled to haul my gear (I'm assuming yes)? I'm thinking I should probably get a GPS unit, trail markers & karens . I've got a lot of burning questions about winter camping and traveling, it's a whole different game.
Click to expand...


You have all the right questions. Its just a matter of piecing together the info and then go and practice in safer surroundings till you mastered them all.

Sled-yes
Snowshoes- modern longer narrower models
Food- 3 times what you eat in summer, high fat, protein and calories
water- a large part of a long trips labor, melting lots of snow
Stay dry- strip down to regulate body temp, sweat is the enemy.

NOT a lightweight adventure, bring real tools for the job.

Dont go alone.

Daylight is short use the time wisely.

Winter treking is my favorite time to be out.:thumbup:

Skam
 
Backpackinglight has a good winter hiking subforum.

If I could only make one recommendation, get an Exped Downmat for a pad. This, coupled with a closed cell pad (which can also be used for seating). makes for very comfy winter sleeping. Mine ia the 9 Dlx, which is 25 inches wide and 3 inches thick of down :)
 
Ankar, I'm originally from Winnipeg. I've hiked Mantario a number of times in the summer and spring. Some trips were the complete trail and some only parts. I walked out to Caribou lake in the snow once, but the water was still open on the lake. Early winter, but can't remember exactly when... I can tell you it's hard going in the snow on the trail even with snowshoes. The steep, bare rock is slick!! The canoe route would be much better for sure, but my worry would be the areas where creeks enter the lakes, and any fast water areas. The risk of going through the ice is ever present even in the dead of winter.
Personally, I'd get a pulk from http://www.snowsled.com/polar/pulks_greenland.htm or http://www.skipulk.com/links.html, or similar, if you don't have one, and wear a mustang type survival suit with some ice safety picks. Pack in water proof bags so the pulk will float. If you have the pulk, you can haul a light weight wood stove and a tent tipi, so cold won't be an issue at night. Man, winter camping can get real expensive if you wanna do it right, especially in extreme cold. Where I live now it gets extremely cold for long, long winters. People here don't travel without the proper gear, and the knowledge required to thrive in this environment. So as usual, it comes down to knowledge, practicing skills, and proper equipment.
The Exped downmat brians mentioned is awesome, BTW.
 
"Paradise Below Zero" by Calvin Rutstrum. He's a rough and tough old school type guy who knows his stuff.



Brian, thanks for that link!




MidwestDave
 
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