The Little-Known Fun of Winter Camping
story by Joshua Packard and Gunner Stuns, photos by Joshua Packard, and design by Madilyn Larsen
The glowing, comfortably warm fire blows in every direction as wintry snow and chilly wind howls through pleasant-smelling pines and Douglas Firs. Meanwhile, crystalline frost begins to form on the lens of my glasses. What may sound harsh to most people (that is, camping in the winter months) has always invigorated both myself and the Boy Scouts.
Little known to most, snow camping is an activity meant to test one’s outdoorsy spirit, and unexpected fun can easily arise from it.
I was introduced to the hazardous hobby of snow camping by Yakima’s Troop 268 of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). We camped in snow caves atop frozen lakes and snowshoed up mountains. It was, in fact, not for the faint-hearted.
Joining up with Troop 268 once again, I noticed that other boys in the troop, especially the younger ones, were frequently nervous when it came to braving the wintry outdoors. Dissimilar to other months of the year, snow camping introduces a litany of extra challenges to the popular activity. Getting snowed in, having a difficult time finding food and wood, struggling to keep warm to build a fire and the list goes on. So, why do people choose to partake in it?
One reason, besides the overall challenge of survival, is the profound sense of peace that one may feel even more so than when camping in fair weather. When the land and trees are blanketed with snow, the flakes absorb sound and the air gets much quieter; this, coupled with the fact that there are less animals and people roaming about, makes for a beautifully serene landscape. There also exists the opportunity to access many activities that are not feasible in the summer. To name a few, snowball fights, sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and igloo building are all activities that one can immerse themselves into.
David Huycke, one of the leaders of Boy Scout Troop 268, is a big advocate for the scouts pushing themselves on trips. Huycke is an experienced outdoorsman, having once been a scout himself. “I was awarded Eagle Scout [in Troop 34, Mill Valley, California] at age 16, then left scouting when my family moved to Washington,” says Huycke. “After 40 years away from BSA, I returned as an adult volunteer. I've been with Troop 268 in Yakima for the past 14 years.”
Although Huycke is not as active as he used to be, he still makes it a priority to join the excursions as often as possible. “In the late 1960s, I did some winter camping as a scout in California, and also when I was in college a decade later,” says Huycke. “In recent years, as a scout leader, I have winter camped [either in a tent or an igloo] about once per year.”
Interestingly, what few people may think about is the reality of temperature. It may seem strange, but from my experience, it’s much more solicitous attempting to stay warm by a handmade fire than failing at cooling down in near-triple digit temperatures during the summer. What’s more comforting than drinking hot chocolate while bundled up next to a campfire?
Still, the thrill of primal survival may be a driving reason for most adventurers who choose to partake in the activity.
“I love being outdoors in winter and find camping in the snow exhilarating,” Huycke explains. “[It’s] hard to describe why it's so enjoyable for me. Maybe partly because of the satisfaction of surviving [and] thriving in harsher conditions. Also experiencing nature up close in winter; if you're not camping, you're fundamentally detached from the natural world in winter.”
Hyucke, of course, has his own opinions on the best parts of winter camping. “I think building a snow shelter is my most enjoyable activity," says Huycke. “Either building a snow cave or an igloo. One of my fondest memories was when, in 1975, a buddy and I dug a snow cave into a deep drift with ice axes and slept soundly in it with a blizzard raging outside.”
My personal favorite memory of snow camping happened on top of frozen Bumping Lake. It was a distressing experience at first. Adrenaline was rushing, partly due to the near-zero temperatures, but mostly because we walked spread far apart at least a half mile into the heart of the lake, depending solely on the advice of forest rangers.
That night, we built caves in the snow and could see the ice below us as we slept surprisingly soundly. Accidentally walking over someone’s cave was always a risk, so we had to keep our heads even more on our shoulders.
Huycke emphasizes a concern that should always be on one’s mind: be prepared for the worst. “Perhaps more than with any other experience, winter camping necessitates being prepared. There's little forgiveness in harsh winter conditions if you venture out lacking adequate skills or gear.”
Hiking, backpacking or snowshoeing to your camping spot is particularly noteworthy when it comes to preparation. It’s quite easy to prepare for the worst when having a vehicle or trailer nearby, but risks get much more serious when one ventures into the heart of the woods with only the gear on your back.
If heading out without a vehicle, make sure to always bring a tent, spare warm clothes not made of cotton, reusable fire starters, extra food and packable emergency blankets. Emergency blankets are a must; they can even fit in your pocket. In case of losing your way amidst the frosty landscape, always stay put. Besides that, don’t go into the experience worried.
The first time may be new and foreign, but once you give it a go, there’s a good chance you’ll see the uncommon appeal in it..
The thrill of breathing in the crisp, icy air while being alone amidst the forest, one with nature, has always driven the intrepid; at least, it has with the Boy Scouts. Though you may be too old to be in the Scouts, you’re never too old to try new things that can turn out to be surprisingly fun.
“I believe everyone should venture beyond their comfort zones at least occasionally,” says Huycke. “If you don't take on new adventures, all you can say is you didn't try.”
