In continuation of my 12 month challenge here is my second video. Early January I took a day off from work and made my way out to the trails of Wild River State Park. It was overcast the whole time I was there which gave the park a quiet gloomy feel. The temp was around 20ºF in the day and 10ºF at night. I went to test a new borrowed stove for colder weather in preparation for a upcoming February trip. I also wanted to be close enough to the car if my 20º quilts failed me in the cold night out in the field. Testing at home just isn't the same as testing in the woods. Wind and tarping are noticeably different.
Most of the park is ski trails I found out. I didn't realized there were only two trails to hike/snowshoe until after I made my reservation sadly. I hiked them both anyways and found them very short but covered with ice. It was nice to see tracks of so many different animals out there and made me wish I had a pair of ski's so I could see more of the park in the winter.
The wildlife was out and about for sure. I had some deer run right through my camp again!(the last time i was there it happened as well) Always a little scary when you hear a larger animal crunching through the forest towards you. I got to see the trumpeter swans that the park is famous for and of course plenty of squirrels and rabbits. At night the coyotes were howling up a symphony which was nice to listen to. In the early morning I heard something on my tarp on the ground moving around which woke me up. I made a little noise and it moved along. I figure if I don't want animals around me while I sleep I shouldn't camp at all.Made it hard to go back to sleep though.
Having to get back to work the next day I packed up early and made my way out of the park. Gear worked out great except the MSR pocket rocket struggled at 6am when it was 3º windchill. I am glad I borrowed it first and didn't buy one.
Here is the video of the trip.
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