Just got back from my first winter cold camping trip. I will say it was the most demanding hunting or fishing trip I've ever done. My biggest surprise was how warm and comfy I was sleeping . With the advice I received here I skipped the expensive -30 sleeping bag and nested two 20 degree bags and was warm and cozy all night. I used two closed cell pads and my thermarest scout underneath my sleeping bags. This was my first cold camping experience. Far and away the hardest thing I dealt with on my trip was waking up in the morning and having to get out to make coffee and getting my gear on as fast as i could. I made the mistake of not taking my old reliable Sorrels with the removable liners and took my 2000 Graham Irish setters. Dumb decision as they were ice blocks from drilling holes all day and you cant remove the liners. Not easy to get them on the next morning. I chose a route that only had one portage with about a five mile hike to get to it. I was suprised to find that it took most of my first day to reach thd portage. I went with the goal of catching my first lake trout. I got on fish right away and finished with a two day total of 20 beautiful lake trout. Three of them reached the 30 inch mark a few around 15 inches and the rest in between. For baits I had my best luck with 4 inch white tube jigs and chrome and blue rippen raps. They out produced my tip up with a frozen Cisco 3 to one. I didn't see much for wild life but did get to hear a pack of wolves howl my second night and lots of moose tracks. I stopped at the trail center first thing before heading home and had my favorite treat. A Large plain vanilla malt. I could have one every day. This would not have been possible for a rookie like me without all the great advice I received here before I left. A few things I learned.

Don't pull your face into your sleeping bag. You will wake up a soaking wet mess.

Instant coffee sucks. I even tried the Starbucks instant you guys recomded. It was much better so thank you for the recommendation but next I'm gonna try a press I think..

Learn to ski or snowshoe. I can't do either and it made for a lot more work than needed

Next time I will be using a black river type sled. Not going to use a pulk anymore. On my way in it pulled like crap after being cold for a few days. I also had to much gear and I tipped over on the portage a few times. Better packing skills may have helped

I picked up the newest boundary waters journal on my way for reading. I enjoyed immensely the article written by Bear Paulson and how he developed his relationship with his gal. Lucky guy. I was a little saddened to read the awesome article by stu about deer hunting in the bwca. I had my own trip planned for last opener but canceled the day before due to freeze up with the advice of my outfitter. Why didn't I think of hunting around big water. I now have another year of planning and more knowledge to help for this upcoming year.

Again thanks to everyone and especially TG for all the great advice. I'll be back again to catch some more Lakers. Hopefully in march. First is to get a toboggan and second is to learn how to ski. Thanks again !

Sounds like you had a good time and a successful trip. Plus you made it back alive to tell the story. As for snowshoeing, it's a lot easier learning curve on that over cross country skiing. You can go from Novice to Intermediate snowshoer in no time at all. Were you using traditional wood snowshoes or newer style?

I've come a long ways since my first winter camping trips. The first picture shows the sled (fish house)I used on one of my first trips, needless to say that was a tough pull in. If you can find a sled like the one in the second and third pictures I would strongly recommend it. With the canvas sewed to the sled you don't have to worry about gear falling out and you can just stuff everything into it. I fish/spear pike on most of my trips and use a collapsible mesh bait bag that I put the live bait in and drill a couple holes in the ice to sink it.

I always bring an extra pair of Mukluks for around camp and when fishing, nice and lightweight. Was it Knife that you went to? I am thinking a lake trout trip is in store for me one of these days.

To O.F.- I had neither snow shoes or Skis on my trip. I need To learn to use both if I take another trip. The soft snow was shin deep in spots and made for some tuff hiking.

Karola, I had the Emsco Expedition I believe with 8 ft PVC pipe and a clam harness we got from tag. It worked OK but I think a Tabogon would have been much better.

I pride myself on decent picture taking usually but on this trip I took a crappy camera and did not take very good Pics. Its also a lot tougher taking fish pics solo...

Winter camping is much about what to bring and what not too. I have seen people bring to much gear they will never use,but still not have the proper gear they should have along.
I try to keep my sled load with a low profile and heavy gear in the bottom. It is a science on how to load just right.

I enjoyed reading this because I have been daydreaming about a winter trip, too. Thanks. Seems intimidating to get started, but looks like fun.

Glad you had a great trip. Snow shoes are easy and fun to use. Skis are a bit tougher to coordinate but are very useful.

Frozen boots and a damp sleeping bag are no fun. But rest assured you're not the only one that has experienced it.

quote SevenofNine:
Frozen boots and a damp sleeping bag are no fun. But rest assured you're not the only one that has experienced it."

Yep, it has happened to me too.

quote SevenofNine: "Glad you had a great trip. Snow shoes are easy and fun to use. Skis are a bit tougher to coordinate but are very useful.


Frozen boots and a damp sleeping bag are no fun. But rest assured you're not the only one that has experienced it."

+2

I can't imagine nothing but sorrels. Ice fishing and all. After building many a quinzee in the winter in the BW-- my boots the next day (after changing out them wet SOB after digging out) took 5 minutes to get each boot on the next AM

Karola-- I to used a fish trap on my first couple trips winter camping in BW for a "sled". Went way to far with that pOS.

Nice trip. Better yet, I can hear this in your voice: "I tried something new and I was pretty successful. I want to do it again and have some things I already want to try differently."

I have a very similar feeling about the rainbow trout adventure I had with my son-in-law on Saturday: "Hey, it worked okay! Let's do it again next year, and try to..."

Good on ya.

When do we leave??? !!!!

The frozen boot,my ski boots got so wet before,I remember melting the ice in them when I put them on in the morning. Not a good thing.

Looks like you had fun and identified how to make it easier and better on your next winter adventure. Nice fish too.

I really want to learn how to Ski Dan before my next trip. You guys make it look so easy in the pictures you post of your trips. And Fun

Probably skiied over a 1000 miles total in the BWCA,I love it. A lot of years under those slabs of boards.

Sounds like a successful trip for a first timer. I use snowshoes and I recommend two pairs of boots. One set for snowshoes (insulated hunting/hiking) and another set for in camp (pac).

For me Skiing is the way to go. Debating on this weekend....if I ...

Your long hike in just boots is pretty impressive to me. As are the fish.

You can get almost any snowshoes off craigslist, for less than $50, and get an immediate benefit. Even if the snowshoes aren't really "the right ones."

But learning to ski, figuring out what skis/bindings/boots you want, finding boots or skis in your size, can be more involved. And you might still might use snowshoes some of the time while skiing. So, not saying don't learn to ski. But rather, pretty easy to get going on snowshoes (as mentioned a couple times above).

quote DanCooke: "For me Skiing is the way to go. Debating on this weekend....if I ..."

Go, and take in some of the Beargrease action. I will be at the Sawbill check point with Lindylair if you are passing through Saturday or Sunday. We might stay at the Temperance River CG.