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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: Try.Try. Again.
 
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ericinely
12/14/2021 01:49PM
 
MN_Lindsey:
"Next on my list will be down booties to wear inside of my sleeping bag. My sleeping bag is wider at the footbox which I like, because I don't feel so restricted, but I am a very petite person so I'm sure its just too much dead space. I think down booties would do the trick.
"



Down booties are a game-changer, absolutely worth the investment. Since I started bringing mine winter camping my feet have never been cold while sleeping...they also make it very easy to get up and pee in the middle of the night without having to put on frozen boots.


Another trick to take care of that dead space would be to stuff the bottom of your bag with a fleece, wool shirt, baselayers, etc. Not only will they take up that dead space and keep your feet warmer with their loft, but your body will naturally absorb any moisture from sweat, snow or ice that has built up during the day so those clothes will be warm and dry in the morning when it is time to put them back on.
 
bobbernumber3
12/14/2021 03:19PM
 
Banksiana: "ericinely: "
Another trick to take care of that dead space would be to stuff the bottom of your bag with a fleece, wool shirt, baselayers, etc. Not only will they take up that dead space and keep your feet warmer with their loft, but your body will naturally absorb any moisture from sweat, snow or ice that has built up during the day so those clothes will be warm and dry in the morning when it is time to put them back on."




Your body doesn't absorb the moisture; your body heat dries the moisture through evaporation, the water vapor than passes through (hopefully) the sleeping bag to the exterior."



+1
 
briar
12/22/2021 09:03PM
 
I have a pair of Feathered Friends down booties. They are very nice and have a shell so you can wear them outside and then take the shell off when you get in your sleeping bag.
 
Banksiana
12/14/2021 02:50PM
 
ericinely: "
Another trick to take care of that dead space would be to stuff the bottom of your bag with a fleece, wool shirt, baselayers, etc. Not only will they take up that dead space and keep your feet warmer with their loft, but your body will naturally absorb any moisture from sweat, snow or ice that has built up during the day so those clothes will be warm and dry in the morning when it is time to put them back on."



Your body doesn't absorb the moisture; your body heat dries the moisture through evaporation, the water vapor than passes through (hopefully) the sleeping bag to the exterior.
 
MN_Lindsey
12/13/2021 06:07PM
 
We went for one night, which I thought was good for practice, so we arrived after all the fresh snow had falen.


I think even going out for just one night is good as it allows you to practice in the field with your equipment without the worry about being out there for multi-night if something doesn't go quite right.


I got the pants on Amazon actually and they were quite cheap for how warm they made me.

Next on my list will be down booties to wear inside of my sleeping bag. My sleeping bag is wider at the footbox which I like, because I don't feel so restricted, but I am a very petite person so I'm sure its just too much dead space. I think down booties would do the trick.

I have a strange hankering to go on another bwca trip though. My husband is convinced I'm going to convince him to go yet this winter. We'll see. I think he'll rather convince me to rent an ice house on Mille Lacs! Ha.

 
MN_Lindsey
12/12/2021 08:44PM
 
As the old adage goes.

If at first, you don't succeed, try, try again.

Just did my 5th winter camping trip, this weekend and am getting it more and more dialed in.

Good takeaways from my past two trips:

- Snow gaiters over hiking boots, make for a super lightweight, but snowproof footwear for travel. If icy (like my March trip on the SHT, ICETrekkers, diamond grip Yak Tracks are excellent when snowshoes are overkill.)

- Duck down pants are a game-changer for hanging out in camp

- Sleeping pad rated at 6.2 r-value, priceless

I've only hot-tented once (on my 3rd trip), and the rest of the 4 have been cold tenting.




 
Minnesotian
12/13/2021 07:03AM
 

Congrats. I have also found that winter camping is something that takes awhile to learn, especially if you only get one or two chances per season to do so. That, and getting gear is a long process.


Were you out during the snowstorm this last weekend? Snowing while camping is what really makes it for me.
 
afromaniac
12/13/2021 09:15AM
 
Congrats - duck down pants sound amazing, what brand?


I also prefer the cold tent over the stoved tent, with a good bag and mat it is downright comfortable. I have begun bringing a heavy fleece blanket to put over my mat, and a tanned sheepskin that I got from a local ranch here over that. I bought a used, cheap two man winter tent off of this forum, it is missing a pole for one of the vestibules but otherwise it's amazing.


We camp in the Chequamegon National Forest in northern WI. As beautiful as the BWCA is, we appreciate the hardwoods of WI over the cedar and birch of the BWCA.
 
Jaywalker
12/13/2021 11:25AM
 
Congratulations Lindsey, you’re a seasoned pro now. I too was very happy when I added some puffy pants to my kit. Great to quickly toss on at the end of the hike or at sundown when temps fall quickly.