I had to post because I’m super excited. I’ve never winter camped before and the forecast looks reasonable so I’m heading in this weekend for my first ever winter trip, solo. I’m planning to enter at Moose and head over to Wind or Wind Bay of Basswood depending on conditions. I’ll be cold camping, fishing, skiing and snowshoeing on this trip. Hopefully the slushy conditions have improved on the Ely side like they have on the Gunflint side. I’m heading in Friday morning after driving up Thursday night and hoping to make it to Sunday. I’ve got my sled packed and ready. My pulk sled is weighing in at about 65 lbs, and my backpack weighs about 17 pounds so I think this should be manageable. I’m using an ice fishing hub as my tent so that accounts for about 30 pounds of the weight. I’m hoping to take some video and pics and write up a report after I get back.
My only recommendation is to watch the weather. Not necessarily for the cold because you are prepared for that, but for the snow fall. Looks like Friday they are expecting various amounts of snow in the Twin Cities, don't know about Moose Lake.
I solo camped two years ago on Tuscarora. Getting in was easy, there was already a nice path by previous campers. Only took me 3 hours or so. However, on the Saturday I was there, 10" of snow came down. The next day getting out took me 5 hours. I had to punch through newly fallen snow the whole time. I had about the same weight as you do. What I learned is that if there is a forecast for a pile of snow, then adjust how far into the to wilderness I go.
Have a great time.
"It is more important to live for the possibilities that lie ahead than to die in despair over what has been lost." -Barry Lopez
I'm back, posted a trip report on the site. Had a great time, no fish, but had fun. I'll attach a video link to the trip report at a later date as I haven't started editing yet.
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