The information within is the property of WinterCampers.com. Please contact wintercampers(at)wintercampers(dot)com if you are interested in using, citing or reproducing any portions. GUIDE TO WINTER CAMPING Winter camping is an activity with inherent risks. This information is intended to be a general guide, not a substitute for experience and training. Neither the author nor the product manufacturers take responsibility for the use of any of the materials or methods described. In following any of the procedures discussed within, you do so at your own risk. Content Guidelines and Logo Use: The information contained within is the property of WinterCampers.com. Please contact wintercampers(at)wintercampers(dot)com if you are interested in using or reproducing any portions of this material. 1 The information within is the property of WinterCampers.com. Please contact wintercampers(at)wintercampers(dot)com if you are interested in using, citing or reproducing any portions. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction to Winter Camping ........................................................................................... 10 1.1 Why Go Winter Camping? ......................................................................................... 10 1.2 When is it “Winter Camping”? ................................................................................... 12 1.3 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... 13 2 How To Start Winter Camping ............................................................................................. 15 3 Leave No Trace (LNT) for Winter Campers ........................................................................ 22 3.1 Plan Ahead and Prepare .............................................................................................. 22 3.2 Travel and Camp on Safe, Durable Surfaces .............................................................. 22 3.2.1 Traveling on a Durable Surface .............................................................................. 23 3.2.2 Camping on Durable Surfaces ................................................................................ 23 3.3 Dispose of Waste Properly ......................................................................................... 23 3.4 Leave What You Find ................................................................................................. 24 3.5 Minimize Campfire Impacts ....................................................................................... 24 3.6 Respect Wildlife ......................................................................................................... 24 3.7 Be Considerate of Other Visitors................................................................................ 24 4 Planning a Winter Camping Trip ................................................................................ 25 4.1 Plan Ahead and Prepare .............................................................................................. 25 4.2 Weather Planning ....................................................................................................... 27 4.3 Calculating Daylight ................................................................................................... 27 4.4 Group Size .................................................................................................................. 28 4.5 How Far Can I Snowshoe/Ski? ................................................................................... 28 4.6 When to turn back ....................................................................................................... 29 4.7 Trip Notification ......................................................................................................... 29 5 Packing For Your Winter Camping Trip .............................................................................. 33 5.1 The 10 Essentials ........................................................................................................ 33 5.2 Specialized Winter Camping Gear ............................................................................. 35 5.2.1 Headlamp ................................................................................................................ 35 5.2.2 Winter Camping Repair Kit .................................................................................... 37 5.2.3 Snow Shovel ........................................................................................................... 37 5.2.4 Vacuum Bottle ........................................................................................................ 39 5.2.5 A Water bottle Parka ............................................................................................... 39 5.2.6 Sunglasses or goggles ............................................................................................. 39 5.2.7 Lightening Your Load............................................................................................. 39 6 Personal Transportation ........................................................................................................ 41 6.1 Snowshoes or Skis ...................................................................................................... 41 6.2 Snowshoes .................................................................................................................. 42 6.2.1 Snowshoe Terminology .......................................................................................... 43 6.2.2 What Size Snowshoe Should I Get? ....................................................................... 43 6.2.3 Snowshoeing Technique ......................................................................................... 44 6.3 Skis ............................................................................................................................. 44 6.3.1 Climbing Skins........................................................................................................ 45 6.3.2 Telemark Skiing ...................................................................................................... 45 6.4 Ski poles and walking sticks ....................................................................................... 45 2 The information within is the property of WinterCampers.com. Please contact wintercampers(at)wintercampers(dot)com if you are interested in using, citing or reproducing any portions. 6.5 Trail Etiquette for Snowshoers and Skiers ................................................................. 46 7 Transporting Your Winter Camping Gear ............................................................................ 48 7.1 Backpacks ................................................................................................................... 48 7.1.1 Choosing an Internal Frame Backpack ................................................................... 48 7.1.2 Measuring Torso and hipbelt Length ...................................................................... 49 7.1.3 Fitting a Backpack .................................................................................................. 49 7.1.4 Packing your Backpack........................................................................................... 50 7.2 Toboggans, Snow Sleds and Pulks ............................................................................. 50 7.2.1 Sleds ........................................................................................................................ 51 7.2.2 Pulks ........................................................................................................................ 52 7.2.2.1 Commercial pulks ............................................................................................ 52 7.2.2.2 Build your own pulk ........................................................................................ 53 7.2.3 Toboggans ............................................................................................................... 55 8 On The Trail .......................................................................................................................... 57 8.1 Breaking Trail ............................................................................................................. 57 8.2 Crossing Ice ................................................................................................................ 57 8.2.1 Tips for Crossing Ice ............................................................................................... 58 8.3 Compass Basics .......................................................................................................... 60 8.3.1 Parts of a Compass ................................................................................................ 60 8.3.2 How to Read a Compass ......................................................................................... 61 8.4 Pace ............................................................................................................................. 62 8.5 Estimating Remaining Daylight ................................................................................. 62 9 Winter Camping Shelters ...................................................................................................... 64 9.1 CampSite Selection..................................................................................................... 64 9.2 Campsite Preparation