Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: Heading in tomorrow -- first winter trip in years!
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hamingredient |
Lessons learned? Collecting wood is easier in the winter if you bring the toboggan to the wood source, instead of vice versa... Heh! |
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hamingredient |
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Minnesotian |
You got some good gear there starting out. That makes all the difference in the winter. Where you planning on going? Have a great time and enjoy the weather. |
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hamingredient |
As we loaded our toboggans at the parking lot, the Border Patrol agent rolled by in his truck... He stopped to chat but we must not have looked sketchy enough to warrant any tough questions! Our self-registered permit at the Lake One box was the first since mid-December, and only a single set of snowshoe tracks was anywhere to be seen... We followed them for a while. Travel conditions were good! We encountered a bit of slush and some open water in the narrow spots early on, but beyond that it was good pulling in soft, fresh snow. |
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SevenofNine |
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SevenofNine |
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hamingredient |
Does anyone recognize the tracks on the right? Otter, maybe? They ended at a hole and what appeared to be open water. |
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hamingredient |
We're planning to jump in at Lake One this time, with no real itinerary in mind. This trip will be all about new technique. |
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hamingredient |
(I'm still trying to figure out the photo hosting code on this forum -- is there a tutorial thread somewhere?) ...and another. |
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hamingredient |
I'm not new to the BWCA but I haven't done a winter trip in over a decade. When our usual Fall canoe trip didn't happen this year, my paddling partner said "Well, we'll just have to go up again this winter!" Hmm, okaaaay... It wasn't an enthusiastic yes, but I was certainly open to the idea. The Boundary Waters is a singularly beautiful place and I love every season of it but MAN, it gets cold in Northern MN and the last winter I was up there, it hit thirty-five below on the first night! All my winter camping thus far has been an extension of my backpacking style -- same gear, heavier coat, warmer sleeping bag. This time I've resolved to do it... differently. I have an old copy of the Conovers' book A Snow Walker's Companion , and when I started researching gear I was thrilled to discover that the traditional gear described in their book is now available from various artisans and small businesses in the region. Since much of my camping gear is worn out and in need of replacement anyway, I've thrown caution to the wind (and money at the problem!), and I am headed into the wilderness tomorrow with a bunch of awesome new toys and an excitement for this trip like I haven't felt in years! Oh yeah, I promised pictures... We're doing the hot tent thing - BIG thanks to Duane at Snowtrekker Tents for my new shelter, and Don at FourDog for the stove! And with some pointers from Dave at LotN and Chris of Black River Sleds, I built a couple of toboggans for the trip, too. Here's mine. We'll be back next week... See you then! Nate |