planning a first winter trip

Hello,New to this so,please keep in mind! I would like to try winter camping and realize that it would be more involved than in warmer months.I have a plastic sled that I would to haul equipment as I have used it for ice fishing and it works real well .I would be hiking and snowshoeing .QUESTION FOR THE EXPERIANCED WINTER FOLKS.What is the very best book on this subject that you can recommend?I know reading is not the cureall but should start me in the right direction . Any advice on this subject is welcome,Please feel free!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Get a copy of "Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book." It is not just for skiers and is full of simple, easy to understand winter camping tips and is illustrated. It looks like a comic book, but don't be fooled-these guys know what they are talking about.

For more serious fare, read "Hypothermia-Death By Exposure" by Dr. William Forgey.

Go back through this forum and the Trip reports forum and read the various trip reports-I have several posted.

Read a couple of years' worth of posts as well about winter camping.

If you have any particular questions, be specific. A general "what should I do or take?" question is pretty useless.

Take your trip when temps aren't too bad or weather is going to be good. Hook up with a group, that makes for a great experience. With the ice fishing under your belt, that will give you an idea of what it will be like a little, so you aren't completely in the dark about gear.

thank you guys,Being from here in northeren Michigan I know about cold weather but,being out in the stuff 24 hrs is something that I know <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> shouldn't be fooled with.Have been reading through the blog to glean as much of your expertice as i can get.I'm sure I will have questions that you folks can answer and put me on the right track.This winter camping is something I have yearned to do for a long time but,while working never had the time to do so.Thought planning a good while in advance will help me get all the ducks in a row,I will be specific in any questions in the future.thanks again,Jeff

Jeff, what you will figure out after reading Allen & Mike's book (get it from Amazon) is that you can break winter specific skills down into 3 basic categories-
1. Keeping warm-clothing and shoe choices;
2. Keeping dry-shelter and outerwear;
3. Keeping fed and watered-stove choices, cooking, making water;
the rest is similar to 3 season camping-navigation, etc.

One choice to make is skis or snowshoes. I used snowshoes then switched to skis, which for my purposes, I like a lot better. I tow a sled too-my trip reports have pics of my gear, including my sled.

Thanks Tom!! I'll glean your thoughts on the subject,Great to talk to someone with the know-how and whatitz.

The only suggestion that I would make is to plan your first trip for late winter, rather than mid-December or January. Around here that means late Feb or early March. That way you get much more daylight, and still plenty of cold and snow if you want it.

Thanks Ken,The daylight thing is something I realllllllly didn't consider.Lot more photo ops in the daylight.

Tom - I'll add one more key point:

4. Keeping aware (avalanches and weather)

In Michigan the former is less of a worry - but good to keep both in mind for all winter trips.

misnshoe

Others have offered excellent advice. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Weather is the obvious difference between summer camping and winter camping. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Staying warm is the primary object. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> You can take two summer bags and put one inside the other. Try to use at least an inch of insulation under your bag. I like a closed cell pad under a down airmattress myself. If you live in Mich, you already own the clothes and know the drill. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> A shelter doesn't need to be anything special as long as its not a screen tent and you pick a non-storm time for this trip. You will need a stove that will work in cold and wind and you will probably want a good white gas stove and windscreen and a 7" diameter pot for melting snow. Maybe try your stove on a nasty day at home to get the hang of lighting it in a blizzard.

Do be aware of your surroundings, I came close to meeting the end a couple of times almost within sight of my truck. Do not pitch your tent where half a ton of snow can fall off a tree and hit you and don't go too far on the first trip.

Oh yeh - don't worry too much about weight or volume on your first trip.
Have fun <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Winter Wise, Travel and Survival in Ice and Snow, Montague "Monty" Alford, Heritage House Publishing, ISBN 1-895811953

Snow Walker's Companion, Garret and Alexandra Conover, Stone Ridge Press, ISBN 976031337

Many camps in the 'backyard', to refine your kit, is always a good idea. A 15 km treck into the bush with unproven techniques and gear is folly.

Steve, you are absolutely right, I was thinking more of a gear oriented checklist, but awareness of your surroundings probably should be at the top of the list.

misnshoe-Rick, Steve and JIm are 3 of the most experienced winter campers here. I am a rank beginner compared to them. So, when they suggest something, take it seriously.

Our Canadian friends, such as Rick, go out in really cold weather, much colder than what we usually see in California.

We all have gear lists posted and a number of trip reports-mine are all in Yosemite in the Badger Pass area. If you go back about 3 or 4 years, you should find mine, plus the others.

Also, there are some posts that link to stories about lost hikers, avalanche accidents and serious judgments in error that have led to fatalities. We post those so everyone can learn from others' mistakes and hopefully will not repeat them.

HI Tom,The Mike and Allen book is on it's way.Have a question for you guys we'll see how it's adressed there before taking up your time.In takeing inventory of my stuff I think I have layered clothing pretty well covered but some of the camp site things I will need some sound advice so, be assured I will be back to the experts.Thanks again to all of you folks on the forum.Have a Great Day!!!!!