A few minutes ago, I checked the outdoor temperature: 8 degrees F. Earlier this evening, with snow still falling outside our home as we played games at the kitchen table, DW and I agreed that we had no desire to be out in the TC this evening. Yet I know that some of you enjoy winter camping. What do you do for outdoor enjoyment when the weather is cold and snowy?

Buzz is the reigning King of snow in a TC. But, there have been others. Over Christmas 2005 a guy named Snow Foot on here camped at Cisco Grove Campground, open all year at about the 5500 foot level and about 20 minutes from our home. He was there six days. He did lots of snow mobiling and tubing with the kids...for a while. It just kept snowing. Sixteen feet in six days! I tried to find his story but it's too long ago even for the archive. He said the proprietor ran his huge Hyster bucket non-stop and tractor with a 6 foot wide rotary broom. It worked until there was no where to put the snow. Then everyone was on their own. Snow Foot claims it was the best TC winter camp he'd ever been on.As we age, the thought of camping in very colde weather and lots of white stuff has less appeal. Nonetheless, jeanie and I love to winter camp. What makes it work, you ask?1. Lot's of board games to be played inside.2. My ex-washing machine tub fire barrel on 3 legs, and a LOT of firewood. When burning oak or Manzanita, the thing really puts out the BTU's and makes it tolerable to sit in our director's chairs around the fire.3. Snow shoeing. We still like the foot rackets.4. Deep winter preparation of the camper. We keep the tanks dry, except for the black which we use minus 40F degree anti-freeze to flush. Bottled water. Generator.Mostly it boils down to attitude. This is not Baja beach camping. There is something cozy about watching the snow come down and you're inside.jefe

yeah it is all in the preparation. I used closed cell foam on all the windows and skylights, put batts of R13 fiberglass behind every outside hatch. drained the water system and used jugs, antifreeze in the black tanks, gourmet food and drink and most of all proper high tech clothing materials in layers to stay warm and dry.A must have for us is nice flannel sheets and down comforters on the bed. We were nice and toasty inside even when it was close to zero outside.

We ride every year from Northern N.H. to Maine and VT. Being we now have more family that ride with us, we now rent a cabin for 4 weeks. Been going here since 2002, we have a lot of friends that live up there that we ride with. I only use the camper in the winter when I go alone. I stay at a winter heated CG, so I don't have the need for water in my camper at -25F .We have to watch for Moose. I figure if one runs out in front of us, we'll ride under it. :E Heading up next week for a month of riding, hope you enjoyed the pics of our past trips. Bye for now , ye-ha:)

I no longer camp in the winter. It would be no hookup situation. I, in my youth would tent camp in the winter. I do remain active as I camp in my house. I have a high energy bird dog that needs to run 4-8 miles a day. In the 3 seasons I walk. In the winter I snowshoe or my favorite CCski. we go every day 2-3 miles for me 4-6 on his GPS tracker. Its forcast for 3 degree's at 4pm we will be out there. Might cut it short if the ice builds up between his toes. We have not missed a day since we got back from our Dec SD bird hunt. If I get home late he is sitting at the door with my boot or glove or something I wear when we go. Sometimes we go in the dark. With the GPS and a loud bell I can keep track of him. I always take a cell phone and a handgun in case. 2 years ago tween christmas and new years I fell through the ice up to my waist 1/2 mile from the truck. I managed to crawl off the ice and get back. I stay off the the ice anymore.

Winter TC Camping | Good Sam Community

cleary
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014
Kidoo wrote:
Love those picture from Alaska, when were you there? I would love to go with the sled.

We go down there the middle of April every year. The days are long and mild and the nights usually below freezing so the snow holds up.
This is along the Richardson Highway on the south slopes of the Alaska Mountain Range.

Chuck
Kidoo
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014
Love those picture from Alaska, when were you there? I would love to go with the sled.
Butch50
Explorer
Jan 18, 2014
Chuck,

I was wandering if you were going to wade in here. I knew from past posts that you folks don't let winter slow you down. I was up in your neck of the woods this last summer on our Alaskan trip. You do have some beautiful county up there.
cleary
Explorer
Jan 18, 2014
Check us out HERE & HERE

Chuck

Isabel Pass, Alaska Range.

Skiing in front of the Gulkana Glacier

Sledding in front of the Gulkana Glacier in the Alaska Range.

Landmark Gap north of the Denali Highway

Following the plows as they open the Denali Highway in the spring.

High in the Hoo Doos overlooking the Gakona Glacier in the Alaska Range. Helmut Hair
realter
Explorer
Jan 18, 2014
Between looking at these pictures and hearing the house rattle with wind gusts outside up to 57mph, BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
You guys know how to have fun.
63 days to Spring
Can't wait.
Bigfoot85
Explorer
Jan 18, 2014
TCLife ... wish we could join you this weekend! I remember last year - an amazing time! Here's a picture from last year ...

Kidoo ... didn't see many class A's even in the California trip. Up north, in the snow, there is NOBODY camping in the snow (except the TCLife and us). Check the TC Life blog here.

And on the streets of SF ... absolutely no problems.
Kidoo
Explorer
Jan 17, 2014
Do you see many Class A in your winter camping travel?
the_tc_life
Explorer
Jan 17, 2014
Winter camping? Yep...up at the ski resort now until Monday morning with the camper. Above the low clouds and sunny out. Awesome.
Schweitzer resort, sandpoint Idaho.
Kidoo
Explorer
Jan 17, 2014
Bigfoot85, you say you stayed on the street of SF? I saw a few campers on the streets when I was in CA this summer, I tought they where just parked RV. Did you have any problems, police do not ask you to leave?

Interesting...
mooring_product
Explorer
Jan 17, 2014
We are going this weekend..taking the family to Orlando as a Christmas gift...Its going to be 40 degrees at night....ya...freezing.