I was wondering if anyone could give some advice to a first time winter camper. I have been into the Boundary Waters many times before, but never in winter and I'm very interested in making this winter my first time.

I would be taking a trip with my father and would want to be out for somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 days. I'm also an amateur photographer and a wildlife enthusiast. I was hoping someone could give me some pointers on where to go to see Wildlife and the gear I need for my first winter camping experience.

Thanks a lot!

Also which do most prefer? Skiing? Or Snowshoeing?
Pros? Cons?

Go to the Midwest Mtn Expo next weekend - seminars on winter camping are there.

Thanks! Where is it?

See midwestmtn.com for details.
CB

S_A_M
You will get a lot of great info at the MWM expo. Another good site is to download the free pulk book from skipulk dot com. It will explain how to make a ski pulk you can use to pull in your gear. You don't have to ski, you can use snow shoes or just walk. You will find it will be easier to hike when crossing wind swept ice and the need for skis or SS in the snowy woods. You can pull a tremendous amount of gear in a sled. Much more then you would ever be able to carry on your back. There has also been lots of information posted on this site if you try the search feature you may find answers.
Have fun. The BWCA is a great winter trip area.

Hey thanks a lot bigzig!
I'll check out that site and
try to make it to the expo.
Thanks again!

I agree with bigzig on the pulks, but have to disagree with the "just walk" method. I don't believe hiking without snowshoe's is a good option. I can only remember one time in the past seven years were snowshoes or ski's were not needed and that was for only a small portion of the route. Ski's work great for the open lakes, I prefer snowshoes. Most portages as you know are rocky and have elevation changes. Ski's are not a good option for this reason. Again, I recommend snowshoes. I would rather walk or ski on top of the snow than sink to my shin, knee, or waist. One option is to ski across the open lakes and then switch to snowshoes at the portages. I bring both and do some leisurely skiing once camp is made.

I would recommend for your first camping experience to stay a little closer to home. Once you've been out once or twice you will tweak your equipment to get things the way you need to be safe. Read all you can and even do some back yard testing. I even test meals in the back yard to see how much fuel they take and if they work. You also want to know if your sleeping bag really is a -20 bag before you need to know. Learn and practice fire craft and shelter craft. Seriously, building a fire in the open without gasoline and newspaper is a challenge for some people. Then head to the big woods. When I first started I didn't know enough to survive and stayed with in 1 mile of people I knew. Just in case!

Personally I'd never leave home without my snowshoes. I like my traditional wood 10 x 56 Alaskans. Weather can change, and if it snows a foot you want a snow shoe that you can get home on. I also bring ice picks. Learn how to use them and pray you never have to. Safety first, this is a hobby and there is no reason to endanger yourself to go camping in the winter.

With that said I make check lists.
Personal list, and cooped gear and then a meal plan and then a food list.

Here is an example of what I bring

Personal list:

Back pack or pulk, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, ice cleats, snow shoes, hiking poles, hiking boots, camp boots, walking pants, camp pants, gators, ice picks, 2 pr wool socks, 2 stalking caps
walking jacket, camp parka,1 pr light gloves for chores and walking, 1 pr of heavy gloves for in camp, camp towel, flashlight, small back up flashlight, flashlight batteries, (lithium batteries are good to -40 and last 8 times longer and are lighter than standard), 6 x 8 tarp, toilet paper, two water bottles, compass, waterproof matches, mess kit, camera, book, insulated coffee cup, snow shoes.

Coop list
Fuel, tent or tarp (depending on conditions), candle lights, shovel, map, cook set, spatula, serving spoon, Steripen (new this year), wood saw, small beaners for tarping, parachute cord, first aid kit, fuel funnel, two cook stoves.

Remember everything you bring add to the weight, so don't bring too much, but also remember if you didn't bring it - you don't have it.

I hope this helps, have fun. See ya on a trail somewhere
Jeff

Keep reading this site. It has a ton of great info. Winter camping takes or know how than summer hiking...It is potentially more dangerous (like the time I went in 5 years ago and it was raining...only to get about -8 that night). It is always less painful to learn from other peoples experiences!