Howdy!
Firstly, thank you all for sharing your advice, the community on this board is the best & I <3 you all.

I’ve wanted to winter camp up here for some time & gave a lot of thought last year to spending a winter in the BWCA. Up here again this year for the summer, considering my options for how to make this winter fulfilling & I am again seriously considering overwintering here. As I’ve never winter camped, I figured I may be able to reduce my risk by staying on the edge of the BWCA at a campground (e.g. CCO campground on Moose Lake). Overarching plan would be to set up a hot tent in one location at the campground for the winter instead of having to move camp every 14 days & take day trips into the wilderness. I would also invest upfront in a woodpile so that I would not be wanting for fuel (one of my primary concerns with a true BWCA winter would be harvesting ample firewood). In anticipation of being snowed in for long periods of time, I’d have a larder of food last to last for weeks/months. I’d also be on the edge of civilization & have my zoleo for comms if I needed assistance (I know that help wouldn’t arrive in a storm though I’m thinking more along the lines of getting resupply/gear replacement via snowmobile if I’m snowed in).

I’m a bit out of my element here as I’ve always been a ‘fair weather camper’ & would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

PS
I am open to other ideas for how to enjoy ~Thanksgiving to iceout on a modest budget if you have any suggestions. Alternatively, I am always looking to experience new places if you happen to have a room in exchange for labor or a reasonable amount of coin. Cheers!

Well, I mentioned the idea casually to Bruce at CCO about staying at their campground & he just let me know that it would be possible (Canoe Country Outfitters is the best :).

If I were to undertake this, I’d need to get gear in order. What is ‘best in class’ gear that I should take a look at? I prescribe to ‘buy nice don’t buy twice’, though I am not just looking to burn money either.

Any winter camping aficionados looking to throw me a bone & let me know the ropes?

Shoot me an email with your contact information and then maybe we can meet up in Ely tomorrow evening? Already planning on meeting with another bwca.com'er after 7:00ish. Be happy to share what I know.

Check out the Winter Camping Symposium Oct 19-22

Wouldn't worry about being snowed in at Moose Lake. Snowplows are pretty good up here and it is a rare storm that closes things down for 24 hours or more.