Six of us are planning on entering the BWCA this Thursday (1/24) at Moose Lake, and staying three nights on Wind. We'll have a hot tent, and we also plan to build a snow shelter. Two of us have extensive winter camping experience (in cold tents), but this will be the first winter trip for the others.

Earlier forecasts of -15 to -30 didn't faze me, but things are getting a little epic, with reports of 45 below Sunday near Seagull, and 55 below wind chill at the Ely Airport.

So my question to my learned colleagues on this forum: to bail or not to bail? What would you do?

I have a canoeing partner who lives by "never change your plans based on the weather forecast". Three times out of four, this works.

However, in this case, I think I would cancel.

How far are you traveling to make this trip?

I have a hot tent and I doubt I would go. I camp in winter to enjoy the outdoors and I wont be ice fishing/hiking etc. in that weather. All you will be doing is processing firewood and hanging out in the hot tent.

If you are cool with that, then go, otherwise I would wait for warmer weather.

For the people going for the first time I would say bail. If you have gone before I think you have to base it on your tolerance for the cold and what you want to accomplish. For us fishing is a big part, we have never canceled a trip because of the cold but we do alter them. If the highs are below 0 we tend to camp on entry lakes where we can bring extra weight like a pop-up fish house.

I’ve gone when it’s really cold before and sometimes I compare it to saying it was the equivalent of spending the weekend or week in the bathroom. There both about the same size.

Thanks very much to all who responded. To reply to bobbernumber3, we all live in St. Paul, so we're not travelling too far. We do have lodging outside of Ely Wednesday night, and our plan is to at least spend that night and see how things feel Thursday. We have lost one member of our party today, who said it will be too...gosh darn cold (two if you count my brother-in-law's dog, who has joined us the last two years, but this wouldn't be a party for him).

Quoting Falstaff from Henry IV, part I :
"Discretion is the better part of valor".

Speaking for myself, "I no longer feel the need to prove anything to anyone, and am now much wiser now than I was in my youth. Therefore, I very rarely feel the need to "suffer needlessly" anymore.

Willingly go out in temp of -45?
Surely you jest!

BOB

If the newcomers have a bad time, they'll never go again. Bail.

...............................................................................................................................................

I'm one of the stubborn fools going on this trip. We've had 2 people drop in the past 24 hours and I'm frankly glad they did. I don't think they would have had a good time.

I'm going to have a good time because that's what I do. I told them that I go winter camping every year and have not experienced cold like this while camping. So, I'd like to go and experience it. Next time I plan a winter trip and it's going to be 25 below, I'll be able to say, "it's not so bad" or "that's horrible, no way".

We're hauling in a hot tent and stove and know what we're getting into, unless someone does something stupid, we should be able to stay safe.

Wish us luck.

Ten years ago or so did a week long trip the second of January were the high for the week was -15 and the lows at night ranged between -38 to -44 and it was cold. During the day the sun was shinning high on the lake and it was great out traveling the lake, had some periods of snow with blizzard white out conditions while we were out playing. Brought along the snowtrekker tent and stove, so we did a lot of wood collecting to take the edge off at night and it helped until you went to sleep and the stove dampened down. In hind sight that may of been the most member able trip we have ever done anywhere. Having those harsh conditions and nasty weather we speak of that trip a lot with good times.

Been there done that in -30 degrees F.. First question have you winter camped before at all. If not, definitely cancel. Second- days are still short now and that means a lot of long night hours in the cold. If still slush exists and chance of getting wet-postpone for another date. Wind factor?

You answered your own question some-you live not that far away. My choice pick another day-a little warmer and a little longer day.

I have cold weather gear for that weather type,still you have to do everything right. No wet feet,no getting to sweaty going in-yes it can happen.

Still want to go-enjoy a good breakfast in Ely and do a day trip into the back country.

Any of the experienced folks that are going able to gear check the less experienced?

Just to make sure they've got good enough gear so they don't lose fingers or toes?

Personally, with my experience and gear, I would go, build a quinzhee and enjoy it. With puffy tops & bottoms inside my -20 F. down bag I would be fine on double mattresses.

BUT... never take newbies out in dangerous weather - and -45 F./C is dangerous weather.

Remember, they need to learn a lot and newbie mistakes at these temps can be serious.

Get the newbies to buy their own copy of "Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book". It's a little paperback that is 50% on winter travel and 50% on camping. The BEST winter camping/travel book I've ever seen and I used to be an Army officer winter survival instructor.

Eric B.

Quinzhees can be difficult to build in that cold of temp I have found bc the snow is so light and not packable and you would spend hours waiting for the snow to set. You would have to have a big fire going the whole time waiting for the snow to set.

wharrier: "I'm one of the stubborn fools going on this trip. We've had 2 people drop in the past 24 hours and I'm frankly glad they did. I don't think they would have had a good time.


I'm going to have a good time because that's what I do. I told them that I go winter camping every year and have not experienced cold like this while camping. So, I'd like to go and experience it. Next time I plan a winter trip and it's going to be 25 below, I'll be able to say, "it's not so bad" or "that's horrible, no way".


We're hauling in a hot tent and stove and know what we're getting into, unless someone does something stupid, we should be able to stay safe.


Wish us luck."

Good attitude to have. I have no doubt with your experience mind set that you will have a great time.

If you go just remember to keep active (which is easier to do in the winter - chores take longer etc.). If you're just sitting around camp all you end up doing is thinking about how cold you are. If you do stay busy, I think you'll surprise yourself as to how much you enjoyed yourselfs despite the cold.

...but, that's just my two cents. we woke up to -30 the morning we baked this delectable dessert.

I would say go on the trip, but discuss before hand everyone's expectations and when to bail. Maybe camp closer to the entrypoint and do short day trips, do more frequent check ins with your fellow travelers,

We have done one trip in the really cold weather (-32), and the hardest part was the initial loading of the pulks in our ski gear, rather than our just hanging out gear. We loaded up and then jumped back into the car to warm up before heading out!

Bring hothand warmers. Even if you don't use them on a regular basis, they can be indispensable in an emergency.

I am planning on trip Monday-Wednesday next week. Wednesday shows -12 to -27 F. I've slept out at -20F on dogsled trip in BWCA, but wondering if safe with cold tenting it? I've never cooked myself outside in this temp. Last year, was in someone elses hot tent, so think if good clothing, not total Darwin Award? I still really really want to go, but solo and cooking outside are the new parts.

Lailoken: "I am planning on trip Monday-Wednesday next week. Wednesday shows -12 to -27 F. I've slept out at -20F on dogsled trip in BWCA, but wondering if safe with cold tenting it? I've never cooked myself outside in this temp. Last year, was in someone elses hot tent, so think if good clothing, not total Darwin Award? I still really really want to go, but solo and cooking outside are the new parts.
"

Is it safe cold tenting. All depends on gear and experience. I have only cold tented for decades and as low as -35 degrees F. Yes I have good pads a sleeping bag rated to -30 degrees F. and extra clothing as need to put on sleeping and otherwise. Your tent depending on type will add like 5-10 degrees warmth or so from holding body heat in. Especially a couple of people.
I am hesitant to tell anyone to go when like -20 degrees F. not knowing experience and equipment. Winter camping takes a lot of prep setting up-getting fire wood etc. compared to summer. If going solo first time that cold maybe not good idea? Realistic it would be nice if you slept first time cold weather where you have alternate plan close by-like your house or car within short distance.
Also good idea to have plenty of firewood to make nice warm fire in emergencies.

Winter camping is awesome,but sometimes it is better to ease into it(little warmer temps first time). I have seen frostbite and close cases of hypothermia even when cold from people getting sweaty, than cooling down.

Each year and each time I went over time I kept adding needed equipment and knowledge from mistakes made.

I don't think cooking will be the problem. Nice fire while cooking is very rewarding.

Cold temps and wind combined can be your worse enemy set up accordingly out of the wind.

Pinetree: "

Lailoken: "I am planning on trip Monday-Wednesday next week. Wednesday shows -12 to -27 F. I've slept out at -20F on dogsled trip in BWCA, but wondering if safe with cold tenting it? I've never cooked myself outside in this temp. Last year, was in someone elses hot tent, so think if good clothing, not total Darwin Award? I still really really want to go, but solo and cooking outside are the new parts.
"

Is it safe cold tenting. All depends on gear and experience. I have only cold tented for decades and as low as -35 degrees F. Yes I have good pads a sleeping bag rated to -30 degrees F. and extra clothing as need to put on sleeping and otherwise. Your tent depending on type will add like 5-10 degrees warmth or so from holding body heat in. Especially a couple of people.
I am hesitant to tell anyone to go when like -20 degrees F. not knowing experience and equipment. Winter camping takes a lot of prep setting up-getting fire wood etc. compared to summer. If going solo first time that cold maybe not good idea? Realistic it would be nice if you slept first time cold weather where you have alternate plan close by-like your house or car within short distance.
Also good idea to have plenty of firewood to make nice warm fire in emergencies.


Winter camping is awesome,but sometimes it is better to ease into it(little warmer temps first time). I have seen frostbite and close cases of hypothermia even when cold from people getting sweaty, than cooling down.


Each year and each time I went over time I kept adding needed equipment and knowledge from mistakes made.


I don't think cooking will be the problem. Nice fire while cooking is very rewarding.


Cold temps and wind combined can be your worse enemy set up accordingly out of the wind."

Thank you. My bag, old one, is -40 F and have second -30F that take, thick pad, blow up pad and have slept -20F before without issue. I am out a lot in colder temps, so up on regulating temp/sweat, so okay with that risk. Thank you for the information.

TuscaroraBorealis: "If you go just remember to keep active (which is easier to do in the winter - chores take longer etc.). If you're just sitting around camp all you end up doing is thinking about how cold you are. If you do stay busy, I think you'll surprise yourself as to how much you enjoyed yourselfs despite the cold.


...but, that's just my two cents. we woke up to -30 the morning we baked this delectable dessert."

You're invited on my next trip!! :)

I think one of the worse things is like 16 hours of darkness in January. A person can sit around a good campfire for part of the time with good friends etc.

Having camped at -20 to -40, it's not the cold that makes winter camping difficult, it's the wind. If they are predicting the cold weather, but with wind gusts up to 40 mph, I wouldn't go. That wind can really sap any hint of warmth.

But if they are predicting mild winds, then I say go for it. Have a great time.

guessing his group went out on the trip since he hasn't posted otherwise. looking forward to hearing all about it.

Mocha: "guessing his group went out on the trip since he hasn't posted otherwise. looking forward to hearing all about it."

Hi Mocha, and everyone else on this thread.

Yes, indeed, we went and had a splendid time! We did, however, make a concession to the minus 35 degree temps projected for overnight Saturday and packed out Saturday afternoon in a balmy -8. The trek in Thursday was a beast. With wind-blown snow hitting us straight in the teeth, I had for most of the passage, at best, a quarter-sized view through my fogged glasses underneath my fogged goggles. The snow was thick and powdery on the portage to Wind Lake, which made for tough slogging up and over that hill. And 3 of the 4 of us literally got stuck in a patch of slush on Wind (I somehow made it through unscathed). That caused us to get to our camp later in the day than we wanted, and so we had to hurry to find wood. It took a bit of work to get the stove running, but our rented Snowtrekker tent was a welcome refuge from the cold.

We caught several Northerns on tip-ups Friday, including one very nice fish. No one, unfortunately, baked a pie, a la TuscaroraBorealis. And our snow shelter hardly got off the ground.

We all had the right gear to keep us warm and safe. That being said, I think the group consensus is that we'll seek out warmer temps for future winter trips, so we can focus more on fishing than on not freezing.

I want to thank all of you for your comments, suggestions, and, most of all, for your concern over our well-being. You are why this site is such a wonderful forum.

Safe and happy travels to you all.
-Mike

Glad you had a great time. Yes like I said before,each winter trip O learned another trick or tool to enjoy winter camping.