Minnesota Frozen Butt Hang - January 7-9, 2011.

[fourdog]

Fourdog, that's a HUGE offer! Many thanks. Perhaps we can see if it's needed based on who comes and where we decide to camp. It sounds REALLY tempting, enough so that I have a small concern that someone (me?) might take a "short cut" on my gear choices. Of course that would NEVER happen, right?

It's up to the group, to me its all about the try and I'm happy do what I
can to help people injoy one of my favrite times of year.

fourdog

[beep]

Hey beep .... any thoughts on the locale yet?
Shug

Fourdog has suggested we look for some Mn State Forest land. It'd be much easier to scrounge firewood and there are no designated campsites required once you are a mile away from any designated campsites. So far, we haven't zoned in on which one(s).

I've looked briefly at Chengwatana and Nemadji. Fourdog suggested Sand Dunes as a possibility.

If you've got suggestions, please get 'em out here!!

[obxh2o]

I'm doing this trip vicariously from North Carolina's Outer Banks. Sure wish I could join you. I have many fond memories of -20 degree camping while growing up in MN.

On the Outer Banks, people seem to hibernate once the temps go below 70. I cannot get anybody interested in winter camping, even at 40 degrees.

Wishin I could join y'all ....

[MacEntyre]

Four Dogs, could you pencil me in for a pair of traditional snow shoes?

I'm hoping to confirm this trip by Thanksgiving.

[fourdog]

Four Dogs, could you pencil me in for a pair of traditional snow shoes?

I'm hoping to confirm this trip by Thanksgiving.

Your on the list MacEnyre, one pair of traditional snowshoes !

fourdog

[MacEntyre]

I just received another care package from Steve in MN. It's a starter kit for MN Winter Camping. What a thoughtful fellow he is!

• "A Snow Walker's Companion"
• "The Messrs. Build Commodiously - A Guide to John Sayer's 1804-1805 North West Company Witnering Expedition to the Sname River, Minnesota"
• A SIGG water bottle shaped so it will fit in an inner pocket
• Long-wristed wool mittens that fit inside the...
• ...short wristed, pile-lined leather mittens with a right hand opening for the fingers.
• Nylon balaclava
• Three packs of 7 hour hand warmers
• Moose hide Yukon mocassins from the late '60s
• A Jon-E catalytic handwarmer by Blount, Inc.
• OR gaiters
• A synthetic black fur lined Russian style blaze orange cap, the warmest thing that's ever been on my head!
• A wonderful carved figure of a woodsman with an ax! Steve's an accomplished wood carver.

The mocs will fit Thing1, and I will use them as patterns to make Molly Mac Gear Synthetic Mocs.

Steve pointed out that the OR gaiters are narrow, but I will use them as patterns and make Molly Mac Gear Gaiters with room for winter pants.

Thank you, Steve!

- MacEntyre

[beep]

I just received another care package from Steve in MN. It's a starter kit for MN Winter Camping. What a thoughtful fellow he is!

• "A Snow Walker's Companion"
• "The Messrs. Build Commodiously - A Guide to John Sayer's 1804-1805 North West Company Witnering Expedition to the Sname River, Minnesota"
• A SIGG water bottle shaped so it will fit in an inner pocket
• Long-wristed wool mittens that fit inside the...
• ...short wristed, pile-lined leather mittens with a right hand opening for the fingers.
• Nylon balaclava
• Three packs of 7 hour hand warmers
• Moose hide Yukon mocassins from the late '60s
• A Jon-E catalytic handwarmer by Blount, Inc.
• OR gaiters
• A synthetic black fur lined Russian style blaze orange cap, the warmest thing that's ever been on my head!
• A wonderful carved figure of a woodsman with an ax! Steve's an accomplished wood carver.

The mocs will fit Thing1, and I will use them as patterns to make Molly Mac Gear Synthetic Mocs.

Steve pointed out that the OR gaiters are narrow, but I will use them as patterns and make Molly Mac Gear Gaiters with room for winter pants.

Thank you, Steve!

- MacEntyre

Wow! That's a lot of stuff!!

[RootCause]

I just received another care package from Steve in MN. It's a starter kit for MN Winter Camping. What a thoughtful fellow he is!

"Thoughtful" is right! That is an extremely heart-warming gift to get! That woodsman is very well done.

One more site to peruse: http://www.wintercampers.com/

[beep]

By way of update, Fourdog and I have made plans to go check out several potential spots for this event on December 4, 2010. We're focusing on the Nemadji State Forest at the moment. One advantage of state forests is that you can basically camp anywhere you want once you're away from the "official" campsites. That would be a good thing for us, and our scouting trip is to check out spots for hanging and for firewood supply. Water source is most likely to be snow, but I'm just guessing at that for now.

Here's a map link...HERE.

[MacEntyre]

Here's a map link...HERE.

Looks great to me! (I've never been to MN )

Here's a short video of Steve's care package. Thing1 tried on the Mocs... too big for her, but we'll make a pattern.