⚜ There are two ways to get the know-how of winter camping. One is the hard way, by trial and error, the other is profiting by the experience of others. We did it the hard way, which has certain advantages; once you learn a trick, you don’t forget it. But, we’re happy to let you in the easy way, so let’s take first things first:
Packing
We usually have each Patrol get personal equipment together and lay it out in neat piles. Patrol equipment and food is divided equally into as many piles as Scouts in the Patrol. We consider both weight and bulk, and try to even it up.
It’s a good idea to fill your cook pots (we use five No. 10 cans) with food or small articles which might possibly be greasy, or break or freeze, and place in the top of your pack. If blankets are on the outside (get them inside if possible) protect them from the weather by rolling in waterproof groundcloth. Don’t have the end of your blanket roll exposed. (We found we could keep the Patrol canteen from freezing by putting it in the middle of a bedroll.)
Clothing and Equipment
As you travel and begin to heat up, peel off layers of clothing. Several layers are warmer than a few heavy pieces. This goes for socks as well as shirts. Air space gives good insulation. If it’s raining or snowing, be sure to wear a water-repellent outer garment, removing the inner layers and packing them in the flap of your pack. You’ll want them—dry—later at night. In snow country, specially after a fresh snowfall, you’ll find a large amount of snow constantly dropping off trees onto your pack, your back, and down your neck. Carry a small stiff brush to remove it. Keep the brush handy in an outside pocket for removing snow from clothes and equipment. “It’s easier to keep ’Em dry than to dry ’Em out!”
Damp socks may be dried during the night by laying them flat across your stomach outside whatever night clothing you are wearing. In cold country, shoes should be dried before the fire and placed inside or under your bedroll for the night. I’ll never forget the time we had the first really cold night and left our ski boots outside the bedroll. They were like rocks and it took some time to soften them enough to get our feet in them.
We are strong believers in the Swedish bow saw in country where we do a great deal of wood cutting. We cut bed logs to hold the dead leaves, boughs, or grass. We cut poles for our tents and reflector fires. We cut large base logs on which to build the fire to keep it from burning itself out of sight in deep snow. I’ll never forget the day we “lost our fire” when we were on a day hike. We were in a large frozen swamp and had made fires to cook our lunch. You should have seen the expression on one face when, with a hiss and sputter of steam, his fire disappeared into the water, leaving his hot dog dangling above floating charcoal.