How to Plan a Winter Camping Trip

An effective way to plan a winter camping trip. I will outline what you need and how to plan an itinerary.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Axe
• Biodegradable Toilet
• Paper x2
• First Aid Kit
• Grill Top
• Large Pot + Lid (x2)
• Large Tarp
• Lantern
• Newspaper(small dry)
• Rope (100ft)
• Shovels x2
• Snowshoes
• Stirring Spoon/stick
• Tin Foil
• Tree Saw
• Waterproof Matches

1. PLAN YOUR DATES:
   A winter camping trip can be as long or as short as you and your group
   desire so add or subtract at your adventurer's desire.
   Beginners: 2days, 1 night
   Intermediate: 3days, 2 nights
   Advanced: 4+ days, 3+ nights

2. PLAN YOUR MENU:
   a) See my HOW TO: PLAN WINTER CAMPING MENU for meal ideas
   b) Buy required groceries and prepare according to meal instructions
   (it is easier to prepare food before you leave so it is easier to
   make when camping)

3. PICK YOUR CAMPING DESTINATION:
   Recommend Frozen Lakes, Check with local residents to see if the ice
   is strong/thick enough to drive on so you know it is safe to walk.
   The better and more familiar you get with winter camping the more
   adventurous you can get with where you do it.
   Good Areas Are:
   - Areas where Northern Lights may be visible
   - Provincial parks that have rangers and other patrol for safety
   - Areas with deer and other wildlife

4. PACK YOUR THINGS:
   a) Divide EQUIPMENT: (list above) amongst group members to distribute
   weight
   b) Pack prepared FOOD: from step 2 in a separate pack (set away from
   camp at night to keep animals away)
   c) Pack personal GEAR: see my HOW TO: PACK GEAR for WINTER CAMPING

5. DEPART FOR DESTINATION:
   a) Tell someone where you are going or have them drop you off at your
   departure point.
   b) Hike/Snowshoe/X-Country Ski to camping site
   Beginners: 0 – 3km
   Intermediate: 3 – 5km
   Advanced: 5km +

6. CHOOSE A CAMP SITE:
   a) Make sure site is sheltered from the wind (in a bay or against a
   wall)
   b) Make sure there is enough snow to build a Quinzee
   c) Choose somewhere that gets a lot of sunlight (bays on the North
   coast are best)

7. BUILD QUINZEE:
   see my HOW TO: BUILD A QUINZEE for WINTER CAMPING

8. SET UP THUNDERBOX:
   see my HOW TO: BUILD A THUNDERBOX WHEN WINTER CAMPING

9. COLLECT FIREWOOD & BUILD FIRE:
   see my HOW TO: LIGHT A FIRE for WINTER CAMPING

10. PREPARE SLEEPING AREA
    see my HOW TO: PREPARE A QUINZEE FOR SLEEPING

11. ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE:
    - Now it is time to enjoy!
    - Continue to get fire wood as necessary
    - Cook your meals
    - Go on a day hike in the morning when you wake up.
    - ETC...

12. CLEAN UP AND HEAD HOME
    Make sure you leave your campsite in as close to the same shape as it
    was before you were there.
    Make Sure To:
    - Knock down quinzee
    - Put ashes from fire on land
    - Putleftover fire wood in forest
    - Cover up thunderbox treats with snow
    - Make sure you don't forget anythhing