Another good night’s sleep, but I am awake earlier today. It’s darker outside, and snowing steadily. The fire is lit, the coffee is ready, and I plan the camp takedown in my mind. Sleeping gear is stuffed, tools sheathed, and sleds readied. It seems to be going slower than I anticipated, but breaking camp solo often does for me, and my mountain of gear. Before long all is packed except the tent and the stove. Ahhh, I just don’t want the fire to go out! In part I don’t want it to end, and in part I know I will be working hard in the snow for the next few hours. I let the last bits of split logs burn a few minutes more, then remove the coals with my snow shovel and drop in the increasing puddle to the side of the stove (remember half of my heat reflector was repurposed). With all the coals out of the stove, it cools very quickly and can be handled in no more than 5 minutes, during which time I cover over the melted area and few cold embers with fresh snow so as not to mark the tent when it comes down.

A few minutes later, the stove is packed in its newly sewn stove bag sitting on my Paris Expedition, and my now nearly new Canvas Palace is rolled up and tucked into the tail sled bag.

Snowshoes on, I start south across the lake. The trail across which I had travelled every day of camp faded quickly in the new and blowing snow, and within 100 yards of camp I was not able to see it. Worse, each time I would step off of it, the sleds would veer off the pack into deeper snow and tip. Three tips in less than 100 yards meant I had to drop the sleds and forge a new path first all the way across the lake. I took short steps and dragged my feet more than usual to help make a path. Once across a the south end where the trail heads into the woods, I could see the other group of 5 campers coming across the lake on their path. I had hoped to get out in front of them, but selfishly I knew they would be faster than me and would pack the fresh snow well, making my travel easier. With my sleds back across the lake, it was inevitable that they would lead, so I figured the least I could do is break a little trail for them. Across the lake I headed down the trail into the woods. There were 5 of them so they could take turns leading, but I wanted to help some. I went about 1/3 mile or so, and came across some interesting looking paw prints running along the trail. I am not sure, but think maybe fox or pine martin? Too small for wolf, and not an ungulate. I thought they might enjoy seeing them (there had not been any others since the first day) so I turned around and went back.

They caught up to me about half way back and we chatted for a few minutes and I told them of the tracks ahead. It was easy to see they were seasoned winter campers. They had been cold camping, and I think were a bit surprised that I was solo with that big old tent to myself. I thanked them breaking trail for me, and went on back to the lake and across to get my sleds.

Once I was back in the woods and on the newly packed trail, hauling my freight train of gear was a good bit easier but still a lot of work. Like on the way in, I took breaks, stopped for water and snacks, and really really enjoyed how beautiful the snow thick woods were. Once past the BWCA Wilderness sign, which is about a mile from the parking lot, I looked at an upcoming hill and decided to take my snowshoes off. The last couple which had been smaller had left me spinning my wheels like a car stuck in a ditch. Without the snowshoes, I had more traction. As I took them off, another group of 6 passed me inbound on a day trip. We exchanged pleasantries and I set of on my last hilly mile. Before long I crested a hill, turned a little right, and recognized ahead the small information shelter at the head of the trail. Out into the parking lot with my freight train and over to my car. I changed boots, gloves, hat and jacket, and cleared the 6-8 inches of new snow off my car. My successful little train cars disconnected, I tossed them in the back of my car and was in a few minutes heading south. First stop Vitta Pizza in Duluth, then further south to Princeton my dog and a hot shower.