"As I viewed the slides of our trip last week, I found myself longing for the heart of winter. Thanks for helping to open my eyes to the wonder, beauty and comfort of winter."
Peter Wright
Winter Travel: A Day on the Trail
Traveling in winter with North Woods Ways introduces participants to the spectacular winter environment of the boreal north in a luxurious manner that is impossible to achieve by the more spartan and rigorous mode of winter backpacking. By adopting the snowshoe and toboggan techniques of the native peoples of the sub-arctic we can explore the waterways of Maine, Minnesota and virtually all of the Canadian north in extraordinary comfort. The frozen waterways become our winter highways, and with the weight of our gear on the toboggans rather than our backs we can afford the luxury of camping in cotton wall tents heated with sheet steel wood stoves.
Not only do the wind-packed waterways provide easier travel for us, but the wildlife too is concentrated along riparian corridors for the same reason - increased mobility and ease of passage.
Our days start in the warm wall tents with a hearty pancake or hot cereal breakfast cooked on the wood stoves. Lunches of cheese, salami, crackers, dried fruits, and candies as well as cups of steaming hot teas are enjoyed along the trail. We are happy to share the recipes for some of the most popular snacks such as homemade jerky, 'lassy toutons and cranberry fruit cakes. Suppers in the candle lit tents are usually fragrant stews and stroganoffs complete with biscuits and dumplings. Pineapple upside-down cakes, gingerbread and pies are just a few of the desserts we enjoy on these winter trips.
North Woods Ways provides all group gear such as toboggans, wall tents, sheet steel stoves and food. In addition we supply footwear which is not readily available elsewhere and snowshoes. We supply participants with a detailed equipment list to assist in assembling the proper clothing, sleeping bags, and other winter-related gear.
Trip participants are expected to arrive by 1:00 PM on the first listed day of the trip for a gear shakedown and introduction to trip procedures and safety. Time permitting, a slide show will introduce guests to the nature and routine of winter travel. The remaining days will be spent in the field with a return planned for the evening of the final day.