Winter Camping

[Cappy]

Not only more fun, but state campgrounds can have winter cabin deals which are big bargains and lots more bang for a buck.

[Cappy]

The link below is to a blog post of a Febuary trip to Chicot st camp ground me and Peg rented a cabin with 2 life long friends. The post has a couple slide shows on it that shows the cabin cammp ground and lake. Since it was off season we got the cabin for half price 45 $ a day. Then we split that 2 ways. It's hard to believe a place that nice for that cheap. That was one of my favorite trips with our friends we had a ball.

Cappy & Pegody's World: Chicot State Park Trip

[Sagebrusher]

now THIS is a state park cabin....only $595 a night this winter! sleeps 20+

I toured it just before it opened. It's awesome.
Brochure:

http://www.custerresorts.com/up/CSP%...0blk%20(2).pdf

[Hikenhunter]

Cabins, Motorhomes,Trailers,Tents----- It doesn't matter what you use, it only matters that you come prepared and that you enjoy the outdoors for all it's glory. I used to do alot of winter backpacking in the same places as I went during the other seasons. It was always a treat to go to those places in the winter as they seem like totally different places than they do the rest of the year. Cold weather camping does demand a little more respect than at other times of the year. Respect for mother nature,that is. You must be well prepared for the worst conditions you might encounter. I personally do more day hiking than camping in the winter these days, mostly because I can't get any one to go out overnight in the cold any more. It is the one time of year that I really believe you shouldn't overnight solo. I did when I was younger but I haven't gone it alone in the winter for a few years now. To everyone who is going to go out there overnight this winter, with a partner or solo, I would just like to say make sure you have the gear to see you through it and have a great time.

[Grandpa]

Winter camping? Sure, I used to take the scouts out, build snow caves, and sleep in 5 feet of snow in January. I don't any more but the boy scouts around here still have their winter camporee. I do go south in the winter to So. Utah canyons where the temps can be well below freezing but much less snow than here.

Matter of fact, this is the last day of a week long boy scout leader training week (woodbadge) and right now I am sitting in the cook/dining shack along the Snake River just below Jackson Hole, Wy. We stayed in unheated cabins but many stayed in tents. The temp has been down in the teens every night. The cool nights are great for sleeping IF you have the right gear.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


I didn't realize that renting a cabin in winter was considered 'camping'...!! If so, yes, I've done that a few times. But nothing like that luxurious resort shown above...!!

My tiny (8' X 8') camp that I lived in for over two years went through some cold winters though. Many times the temp got to -40, -50 and even -60F...and many times stayed that cold for days. And no, it frequently DIDN'T get any warmer when the sun came up.

But I adjusted, and I wouldn't have changed that experience for anything else.

Haven't winter camped in many years now, and don't know if I'll be able to again. The mind might want to, but old bones don't always follow the dictates of the old brain...!!

[Cappy]

Here yall are talking winter camping and I am currently wet with sweat/ humidity. Been outside kinda doing projects and prep for our december trip. its currently 82 degrees, and 90% humidity the fog aint quite burned off yet. I have been busy checking propane bottles, batteries, buddy bearings etc. Prepping the boat jeep and camper, getting ready for camping season. for us thats december through April. When our temps for the most part aproach yall spring and early summer temps. I can still handle our summer weather but Peg can't, so thas when I round up a neighbor hood kid or grand kid to go fishing with me.

[Sagebrusher]

Originally Posted by RingTwist

Do any of you go camping in the dead of winter? I hear of people doing it around here, of course, but it doesn't get that cold. I occasionally hear of people camping in the snow but I think they are crazy (no offense in advance ).

Sure have. I have camped in the snow several times. What I haven't done is camped WHEN it is snowing. I am hoping to do it this winter if the timing is right. Ideally, the snow would start after I set up camp and the roads are cleared before I leave...lol
I have a 3-season tent but I think it will serve as long as it doesn't snow too much.

[ppine]

Ringtwist,
How do you know if you have never tried it? Camping in snow is quiet with few people around. A fire feels good. The bears are asleep. You have an endless supply of ice. I could keep going.

[Boroffski]

I love winter camping. I'm currently building a wood stove from an ammo can so I can "hot tent" this winter. Usually I just dress for the occasion and sleep in my USGI MSS under a shelter half next to a long fire, or as a full pup-tent. The surplus stuff is heavy, but durable and battle proven, perfect for winter camping.

If you want to give winter camping a try, I suggest starting in your back yard or close to your vehicle. That way you have an easy out if things go bad. Gather and test your gear, gain skills/knowledge of heat and moisture management, then build a pulk(sled) to carry it all into the backcountry.

PS
Other than my back yard, I've never winter camped alone. Nor will I.