http://www.wintercampers.com Celebrating the winter camping experience. Thu, 08 May 2008 19:17:51 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Esquire Magazine has published it's list of 50 essential skills that every Man should possess.  They range from being able to tie a bow tie to jump starting a car to describing wine.  #51 jumped out at me - starting a campfire! #51. Build a campfire.  There are three components: The tinder ... http://www.wintercampers.com/2008/05/08/essential-skills-for-men-esquires-fire-building-omission/ We hadn't heard anything about our WinterCampers.com poem "I'm Not Going To Lie To You" that we submitted as in the Timex Expedition "Return to the Outdoors" contest.  The poem won the most votes in the 1st round but we hadn't heard anything about the awards or next steps.  ... http://www.wintercampers.com/2008/05/07/status-of-wintercamperscom-poem/ Kevin, over at the Adirondack Forum, has a lengthy post on his recent arrest by a DEC Ranger for being in violation of the snowshoe regulation in the High Peaks.  The post consists of two components - the initial  violation cited by the Ranger and Kevin's "civil disobedience" in trying ... http://www.wintercampers.com/2008/05/07/snowshoe-regulations-in-the-high-peaks/ From our exchange with the Outside Online Gear Guy- We do a reasonable amount of winter camping in both Adirondack lean-tos and in tents. Typically I use some combination of an emergency space blanket, a closed-cell pad, and an inflatable Therm-a-Rest pad. A couple years ago I had a hip ... http://www.wintercampers.com/2008/05/05/exped-downmat/ Mark, Jay, Scott, Maddux and Jim. Once we got the requisite group photograph at the summit it was time to head back down Mount Blue, re-join our backpacks and hike the remainder of the trail to Lizard Pond lean-to. If the way up was steep and slippery and the way ... http://www.wintercampers.com/2008/04/30/mount-blue-the-descent-and-overnight/ Mark’s plan was to drop our packs along the trail to Lizard pond, bushwhack up Mount Blue, then return to our packs and hike along the shore of the Lizard pond to the lean-to sited on the western shore of the pond. The mile-long trail to Lizard pond begins ... http://www.wintercampers.com/2008/04/30/mount-blue-implementing-phase-i-of-the-plan/ It was easy and straight forward crossing over Garnett Lake. But as soon as we hit the shore line Mark pulled out the trail guide. Now I am all in favor of excessive planning but it is with some trepidation that we watched Mark consult the trail guide. ... http://www.wintercampers.com/2008/04/28/destination-mount-blue/ I guess it is always a good idea to check the trail guide when you are sure which way to go.  Given that Mark has dropped his pack it looks like a long study session is in order. http://www.wintercampers.com/2008/04/27/proper-planning/ Been there and almost been there. http://www.wintercampers.com/2008/04/25/peaked-mountain/ In planning for our Dug Mountain Waterfalls trip Matt offered this useful ice crossing information: As a general guideline, 1 inch of black or white ice will probably hold you up. Two inches is safe, and six inches will hold up a moose. Thickness of suspect ice can usually be determined ... http://www.wintercampers.com/2008/04/24/crossing-ice/