Anyone planning on attending? my brother in law and I are planning on purchasing a snowtrekker and thought thugs would be the perfect place to kick some tires. I wish I could fast forward to hard water season and get to Winter Camping. It's quickly become my favorite time of year to be in the bwca.

I'll be there as I am every year. It's a great get together with lots of other like minded folks. I love it.

"Wood smoke, wool and weirdos," as we say.

The wife and I will be there as well, we're coming directly from a rendezvous in Deer River so well have a different looking canvas tent. Helping with the Dutch oven class again this year.

quote awbrown: "I'll be there as I am every year. It's a great get together with lots of other like minded folks. I love it.


"Wood smoke, wool and weirdos," as we say.


"

What's the idea of the 'hub caps' on those stove doors? Haven't seen that before.

You should have seen the Grain Belt model they built last year! It even had a good draw before it burned up.

quote PortageKeeper: "

quote awbrown: "I'll be there as I am every year. It's a great get together with lots of other like minded folks. I love it.



"Wood smoke, wool and weirdos," as we say.



"

What's the idea of the 'hub caps' on those stove doors? Haven't seen that before."

That is Brian Maruska, master stove builder. The hub caps are actually Pyrex glass custard cups. It was one of Brian's attempts to create see through windows in his stoves to enjoy the view of the burning fire. However, I think they got covered by smoke fairly quickly.

Planning on being there. It has proven to be a very enjoyable time, learning from each other and just getting to meet like minded folks.

I am going to try and make it this year. Looking forward to it.

I'll be there. Camped in a Baker.

Ah, I wish I could make it. Had a wonderful time there last year, but my annual duck hunting trip was scheduled for the same weekend.

I'll be there. Mostly for the free beer, but I'll be there ;)
It is always great to meet folks from BWCA.com at this event.

Kaycee, I am looking forward to seeing your tent. Did you have it set up last year?

Look for me. I'll be the one in the Snowtrekker tent. Just like everyone else.

I don't know if I can make it or not yet but am just wondering; what is the situation with firewood there? Must be quite a few folks wanting to fire up their stoves.

Camp Miller drags in a few trees as needed, cuts them to size and lets those who need the wood split it.

Last year, there were a lot of wood stoves, though it was pretty warm that weekend.

Plan on being there. Can't wait to meet like minded people that enjoy winter as much as I do-- especially when most people don't like winter.
Are there items for purchase from vendors?? Mostly interested in Snowtrekker and 4Dog stoves (I understand those items would be quite difficult to transport and make/models etc) -- just asking/curious.

Snowtrekker Tents and Fourdog stoves will both be onsite. Duane will have a couple tents setup, but I am pretty sure that he builds tents after they are ordered. He may have some of his more common tents on hand but at this time of year, he sells them pretty quick. Don Kevilus from Fourdog, will likely have stoves to sell.

There are used tents as well if you are interested in going that route. There are wool clothing vendors, toboggan and pulk sled vendors, a photography vendor a couple of canoe gear vendors (Cooke Custom Sewing, Frost River and Kondos) I even heard that there will even be a Bohemian gypsy wondering around smiling and selling her jewelry :)

Maybe someone should add a vendor page to the website?

Is there any identification for the members of bwca.com??

I don't know if that would be a good thing or something to hide from this group get-together?? Just asking before I commit to anything.

Free beer is an attraction, though.

We'll be set up in the field by the big pine, with a tent and and awning. There will be a blue pop up awning nearby where Brian does his DO class (I just help!!). If your around during meal times you may get handed a plate of food.
Depending on how I feel I may be in 1800's clothing.
KC

Primitive Spirit will be selling wool shirts, hats, and mittens again this year. Last year they were inside, but this year they are planning to setup their big rendezvous tent on the field. You will feel right at home in your 1800's clothes.

I know I just bought a shirt from them last weekend at the big Island rendezvous!!!

Do any women attend this? I'd like to try some winter hammock camping this year and would like to not freeze to death because of lack of knowledge. Also, does everyone (who isn't staying in the cabins or lodge) tent camp? I have a 13' Scamp that I could haul over there, or would that be frowned upon?

There are women there, and I'm sure no one would run you off for staying in a camper. This link is in the OP, but there some pics of some of the folks who will be there. https://wcs.eventnut.com/

No problems with campers and there are quite a few women there. One even has her own "girlie" tent.

quote awbrown: "No problems with campers and there are quite a few women there. One even has her own "girlie" tent.


"

That looks fabulous! I suppose it's extra insulation too.

quote WhiteWolf: "Plan on being there. Can't wait to meet like minded people that enjoy winter as much as I do-- especially when most people don't like winter.
Are there items for purchase from vendors?? Mostly interested in Snowtrekker and 4Dog stoves (I understand those items would be quite difficult to transport and make/models etc) -- just asking/curious.
"

My Snowtrekker had been a demo at the WCS a few years ago. I got it after with a small floor model discount and no wait. Not sure if he'll still do that, but he may be glad to sell the ones he has for show there.

quote Jaywalker: "

quote WhiteWolf: "Plan on being there. Can't wait to meet like minded people that enjoy winter as much as I do-- especially when most people don't like winter.
Are there items for purchase from vendors?? Mostly interested in Snowtrekker and 4Dog stoves (I understand those items would be quite difficult to transport and make/models etc) -- just asking/curious.
"

My Snowtrekker had been a demo at the WCS a few years ago. I got it after with a small floor model discount and no wait. Not sure if he'll still do that, but he may be glad to sell the ones he has for show there. "

Thanks.

Weather seems to be trending towards a more wood stove friendly weekend. :O)

quote WhiteWolf: "Weather seems to be trending towards a more wood stove friendly weekend. :O)"

That will be great. I love the smell of the wood smoke when all the stoves are fired up.

quote WhiteWolf: "Weather seems to be trending towards a more wood stove friendly weekend. :O)"

Any update on the weather forecast?

As I mentioned in another post-- re-curving Typhoon in the W. Pacific will keep the cooler/cold air coming, been sometime but this is the real deal. Expect the downturn in temps to continue as computer models adjust... A wet- slushy snow looks possible at this time during parts of the WCS. Of course I will be cold camping in it FRI night...

From the latest discussion from NWS in Duluth--

The current GEFS
ensembles continues to mention between 1 to 3" of total snowfall
accumulation across the Northland. However, the consensus blends
are indicating between 2 to 5" over northwest Wisconsin due to the
shift in the GFS. I would take this with a grain of salt until
the models come into better agreement, especially considering the
waffling of the models with the latest handful of runs.

Regardless- a big change is coming--

Conditions will improve Friday afternoon in terms of snowfall,
but once the system departs, much colder air will settle into the
region. Low temperatures Saturday morning may drop into the middle
to upper teens for much of northeast Minnesota, with lower 20s
over northwest Wisconsin. Winds will remain from the northwest, so
some lake effect precipitation will be possible from the Bayfield
Peninsula southeast to the Gogebic range Friday through Saturday.
Temperatures will remain cool into next week.

Expect a warm up early-mid NOV.





Wish I had my hot tent ready...

Weather is looking interesting for the weekend.

Silly question, if only going for the day do I have to register? Is there a fee for one day?

Nm I actually read a little and found the info I was looking for. See you all there!

This is going to be a great weekend for this event. Last year was too warm to sit in a tent with a stove. This year, a hundred separate little fires will be burning!

WhiteWolf, don't worry about being cold, there will be lots of welcoming hot tents to keep you warm.

We will fire up the sauna on Wednesday, I bet it will get a lot of use this year!

24 hour chance of 1" and 2" snow accumulating respectively ending 7am FRI.

Damn it. Can’t go now. And it looks like snow this year. Bummer.

Have fun everyone.

I posted a few snow maps in another thread here.

Some pics--

quote WhiteWolf: " 24 hour chance of 1" and 2" snow accumulating respectively ending 7am FRI.




"

Bit of a surprise when we got up Friday to 5" and it snowed all day. That made for a fun and memorable weekend, for sure!

The first time in WCS history where there was measurable snow. It was a lot of fun and very memorable.