One winter, several years ago, Paul and I were struck witha case of the Shack Nasties. Although we usually tried to get out and snowshoe when the weather allowed, we missed the camping that we normally did during the rest of the year. So, you guessed it, we decided to try winter camping. Of course, everyone we knew thought we were crazy. Regardless of what others thought of our plan, we packed up our tent and all of our gear and headed for Mew Lake campground in Algonquin Park. Back then there were n facilities available other than icy cold outhouses, so we were pretty well going to be roughing it. Luckily for us the weather was in our favor as we set up camp on Friday night. Our campsite was just a plowed out area that was just big enough for a tent, a picnic table and a vehicle. The fireplace was buried somewhere under the snow, so building a fire pit in the snow was one of the first things we did once camp was set up. Since it gets dark early at that time of year, we decided to have an early supper, go for an evening walk around the campground, and to have a small campfire before turning in for the night. One thing that I didn’t count on was the fact that the door of the outhouse would only open about six inches, so you can bet that each trip to that little building was an adventure for someone who was dressed like the Michelin Man, and it didn’t matter how mild the temperature was, that seat was cold! The next day was sunny with a few clouds, and it was still mild, so we spent our time hiking a few of the nature trails and taking a few pictures of scenery and any wildlife that caught our eye. Sunday morning we woke up to the unexpected surprise of three inches of wet snow on the tent and it was still coming down. Since snow hadn’t been in the forecast for the weekend we hadn’t bother taking a tarp to use as a make-shift kitchen shelter, so after clearing the snow off the picnic table, we had a delicious breakfast of bacon, eggs and coffee, while the snow continued to fall over us in large, wet, sloppy flakes.

            We learned a few things from that first winter camping experience. The first thing was that the weatherman is seldom right with the forecast. Anything can happen, so go prepared for the worst. A couple of tarps will come in handy. You can use one as extra protection for the tent and the second one as a makeshift kitchen shelter. Some poles are a good idea since the plowed out clearing doesn’t always have trees close enough to attach tarp ropes to. We discovered that using an air mattress for winter camping isn’t a very good idea, unless you want to spend a good part of a cold night re-inflating it. Not only does the mattress partially deflate in the cold, it’s also cold to sleep on. We have since invested in self-inflating Thermarest mattresses and they’re definitely worth the expense. We’ve also bought camp cots, which make it a lot easier to get out of bed, as we get older. It’s tough enough to have to get out of a nice warm sleeping bag, without having to struggle up off the ground. We now take a hydro site and use a little ceramic heater with a long extension cord. A few small creature comforts can make all the difference in how you enjoy your winter camping experience. I also pack an extra blanket to use as a rug on the floor. It’s easier on the tootsies when you get up in the morning. Of course, a warm sleeping bag is a must. Layered clothing, including breathable, waterproof, windproof outerwear and good warm waterproof boots are a necessity. Warm hats and a couple of pairs of mitts are a must. A change of warm clothing is a good idea, just in case. We take a change even on day trips. Unexpected rain or snow can make your day miserable if you get a soaker.        

  Winter camping can be lots of fun if you’re prepared for it. There’s snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking and photography for activities. The landscape becomes a whole different world with a blanket of snow. Try to get out there and experience it.

            You can make meal preparation a lot easier if you make up one-dish meals at home that you just have to reheat in camp. Homemade stews, soups and meals like chili, baked beans, and rice dishes are good choices. A lot of these meals come ready-made in stores, if you choose to go that route. Hot chocolate, tea, coffee and instant soup are also a good addition. There’s nothing worse than being cold and hungry and having to wait for a meal to cook from scratch. Of course if you’re one those folks lucky enough to have a trailer or camper, you won’t have this problem.

            As I mentioned previously, darkness comes early, so if you can, take chairs for around the fire. Reading material and travel games are a good idea for those who like to stay up a little later, weather permitting.

Ice formed on a weed	Ice on a slab of granite	Stump sticking up through the snow	camp fire taken with flash	Same pic no flash

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