Snow Camping Trip
Troop 11,
When: March 8 and 9, 2008 are the
rescheduled dates for the snow camping trip. We say
"planned
dates" because we have to be flexible to adjust to changing weather
conditions. We are planning a two-day, one-night
trip.
Where: location is Carson Pass on Route 88. There is a Sno-Park where we can park our cars. See places listed at right.
Who: anyone is welcome and invited, but be prepared to step up for a challenging trip like this. You should be in good shape and prepared to spend the time to get all of your gear organized (see checklist below right). We will need parents to drive and also camp overnight.
What: our trip will include the basics of snow camping, including snowshoeing, setting up camp, snow shelters, cooking in the winter conditions. As time and conditions permit we may work on building igloos and other types of snow structures.
Why: Snowcamping gets you out into the beautiful winter outdoor environment. The air is crisp, the scenery is beautiful, the sun is often clear and bright.
Where: location is Carson Pass on Route 88. There is a Sno-Park where we can park our cars. See places listed at right.
Who: anyone is welcome and invited, but be prepared to step up for a challenging trip like this. You should be in good shape and prepared to spend the time to get all of your gear organized (see checklist below right). We will need parents to drive and also camp overnight.
What: our trip will include the basics of snow camping, including snowshoeing, setting up camp, snow shelters, cooking in the winter conditions. As time and conditions permit we may work on building igloos and other types of snow structures.
Why: Snowcamping gets you out into the beautiful winter outdoor environment. The air is crisp, the scenery is beautiful, the sun is often clear and bright.
Greg's Snowcamping Tips:
Our own Greg A is an avid snowcamper. Here are some of his tips to make snowcamping fun and safe:Snowcamping Essentials -
- 
(1/10/08) One page list of key rules to
observe in dressing properly and being safe when snowcamping. Soba Noodle Recipe -
- (1/10/08) Greg's acclaimed recipe for
soba noodle dinner. Greg's Snowcamping Pointers
(1/22/08) This is a distillation of
Greg's best advice for staying warm and understanding the hows and whys
of snowcamping. More Winter Camping Resources
Igloo-Making Movies
-
this fellow sells a brand of snow saw
and he has posted some time lapse movies of himself building
igloos. It is instructional, if only it was this quick! 
Allen
& Mike's Book - this book has been recommended by
various people, it has a bunch of great winter camping tips and is
illustrated with a series of funny yet educational cartoons.
[title is: "Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book,
Revised and Even Better!: Traveling & Camping Skills for a Winter
Environment" (Falcon Guides) (Paperback)] (click on link or cover to
see it at Amazon). (1/22/08)Freezer Bag Cooking:
This
book has a collection of recipes and tips for eating well when
backpacking, while minimizing the mess and clean up. This book is
recommended by the SnowHAT course directors from SFBAC. The
website associated with the book has some recipes, and you can order
the book there; that website is linked here: Freezer Bag Cooking
Website . (Note we made the "cozys", as described in
this book, using "Reflectix Insulation"
from OSH, Orchard
Supply Hardware, in Berkeley). (1/22/08) Dick's Snow Shelter Manual
(1/24/08)Dick T got this handy 14 page manual when he was a Scouter in Seattle, it explains how to build snow structures and even how to make your own snow saw. A large PDF file, with lots of drawings, diagrams and even some cool cartoons.
last updated: 1/24/08