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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

I’m putting winter camping on my bucket list

Jordan Price
Posted 3/11/21

Camping is an activity that instantly reminds me of summer. Warm weather, eating loads of junk food, the smell of sunscreen and bug spray; the list goes on and on. Never in my wildest dreams did I …

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I’m putting winter camping on my bucket list

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Camping is an activity that instantly reminds me of summer. Warm weather, eating loads of junk food, the smell of sunscreen and bug spray; the list goes on and on. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I could go camping in the winter.
I never knew winter camping was even possible until I moved up here to the Northwoods. I am slightly afraid of it, as I think many people are. However, a number of my coworkers and friends who live in the area love it and say it’s a must-do.
Winter camping definitely has its perks, as in no bugs and no crowds. Based off of what I’ve heard, there is nothing more peaceful or challenging then camping during the cold months. With that being said, winter camping takes skill and preparation, but the learning curve is definitely possible.
Piragis Northwoods Outfitters is my go-to for winter clothing, but little did I know, they are also a hub for winter camping gear and trips. I had a nice conversation with Tim, their outdoor camping specialist, and he provided me with a multitude of information that makes me even more excited to try it. He told me the winter camping season generally runs from late November to the end of March. March is Tim’s favorite time to get out and camp because cross-country skiing across the lakes is the best, and you can travel longer distances. The days are also longer, and generally milder.
Some of you may know that I recently began cross-country skiing. My fiancé, Ty, and I now ski nearly every day. When I was chatting with Tim at Piragis, he mentioned that familiarizing yourself with snowshoes or cross-country skis is your first step when considering winter camping, since you’ll need experience with one or the other to get around.
This past Sunday, Ty, our friend Kyle, and I thought it would be fun to do a day adventure to see if we would be able to travel the long-distances necessary to winter camp. Our plan was to ski across a lake to find a spot to make hot chocolate, and then ski back. We did just that. It was the best day I’ve had in a long time. We parked at the Bass Lake Trail parking lot and skied across Little Long Lake until we found a nice piece of shoreline to enjoy our hot beverage.
This past summer, Ty and I completed a three-day backpacking excursion on the Superior Hiking Trail. It was the first time I had to filter my water, carry my own equipment, and eat freeze dried meals. I became accustomed to using camp cookware and found that both food and beverages taste 100 times better when you have to work for it, even if the quality isn’t nearly as good as your typical homecooked meal.
“Fun” wouldn’t be the right word to describe the experience—it was more about overcoming a mental and physical challenge.
On our recent day trip, Ty initially questioned my intentions when I asked him to pack ingredients for hot chocolate, as he thought it might be a hassle, but little did he know it would create one of our favorite memories of the winter thus far. In my opinion, it’s the little things that make a relationship work long-term, so when he carried a half-gallon of milk in his backpack while skiing across the lake simply to make hot chocolate for me, I knew I’d found the right guy. It was the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had. There’s something about firing up your camping stove, heating the milk, and dumping in the premade powder to make the most perfect concoction. Of course, you can’t forget the marshmallows! We climbed up an incline only to overlook nearly the whole lake as we were able to warm up our insides before taking off for home.
Due to my successful day trip, winter camping is now on my bucket list. Tim recommends taking a guide when venturing out for the first time. Tips such as gathering the correct firewood as well as heating strategies for cold winter nights are among the many reasons why having a guide can be beneficial for new campers.
“There’s nothing like playing cribbage in your tent, only to go outside to see the northern lights off in the distance and the full moon shining,” Tim exclaimed.
Winter camping isn’t for the faint of heart, but with the right equipment and guidance, it can be very enjoyable. One thing’s for sure— it’ll be an experience you won’t soon forget!