To set the stage, Brave The BRRR was conceptualized as an opportunity to test our stuff (both material and mettle). In natural winter conditions. We set off on making the trail and vehicle camp spots in August. A group of us got together the last weekend of every month, wielding chainsaws and sharing ideas around a campfire – to get to this point. The event is planned to be a social hang-out, allow people to test themselves, their gear and their systems for cold weather camping. We did NOT want to over program this to make it feel like guests were bouncing from presentation to presentation, nor did we want this to feel like a manicured campground. We DO want people to get the experience of pulling into an untouched snowy spot, and completely setting themselves up to camp comfortably for a few days.
Below is a list of things to consider bringing with you for Brave The BRRR. This list can serve as a guide, checklist or reminder as you are preparing to make you way to Adventure Acres.
Some factors I am considering when compiling this list are: activities I plan to do, how and what I plan to cook, eat and clean up, how I plan to stay warm and organized, etc.
To get right into it, the list below will allow you to read or just scroll and pick out anything that catches your eye.
The List:
1) Activities / Comfort:
a. Warm boots
b. Spare Shoes/boots
c. Warm Jacket
d. 2x Winter hats
e. 2x Winter gloves (mittens and gloves for dexterity/warmth options)
f. 4x pairs of warm socks (on top of ones worn entering event)
g. 1x pair insulated pants + those worn
h. 1x pair snow pants
i. 2x upper/lower base layers (to adjust layers based on activity/temperature)
j. 3x sets of Hand/Foot warmers (per person)
k. Snow shoes (activity + packing down camp site)
l. Hockey/Ice Skates
m. Sled(s)
n. Human waste disposal (shovel, bags, portable toilet). Consideration paid to if you have a portable toilet with a flush feature – something that prevents freezing needs added. Pop-tent for privacy may be desired. We will designate 2x ‘bathroom’ areas for those not using private means within their site. Future years MAY have portable public toilets.
2) Winter skills / tools / devices:
a. Fire starting (flint, lighter, dry fuels – TP roll with dryer lint)
b. Knives/hatchet/saw/multi-tool (small wood prep, sharpeners)
c. Shovel (small to level camp area, clear spaces for table/chairs/etc)
d. Chair (sit on dry spot, off snow)
e. Battery pack(s) and cables (keep devices charged, especially if needed for any medical purposed)
f. Camera (if wanted)
3) Feeding:
a. Food (dry, proteins, sauces, toppings. I prefer items that are less prep, clean up and easy storage. Items like sausages, chicken breast, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, rice are all easy to store, can be cooked whole or cooking from storage packing). I will share an easy DIY pizza pocket recipe at the bottom.
b. Cooking device (stove, fuel source – weather rated fuel source, butane made to function in cold)
c. Cooking tools (frying pan, pot to boil water, utensils, plates, knives, mug to drink boiling water)
d. Water (body and activity level dependant, but need to plan for enough water for consumer, cooking and cleaning. I plan for 2L/day per person to consume, 2L/day for cooking, 1L/day for cleaning) So for 1x adult male, I would plan for 10-15L every full weekend.
e. Misc cooking (freezer bags to store left overs, tin foil to cover cooking, or cook on top of to keep dishes clean, paper towel for easy clean up)
f. Tools to aid in cooking over the fire (or just carve a quick stick)
4) Staying warm:
a. Diesel heater (with proper power source, plus charger to keep it topped up it needed (via car or solar), extra fuel and funnel or other items needed to maintain heater)
b. Propane heater (adequate propane, carbon monoxide detector)
c. All fittings/connectors, hoses to run from heater to where you want the heat
d. Heated blanket (adequate power source)
e. Good sleeping bag (recommend layer system or -40C sleeping bag)
f. Layers of blankets (blankets do not hold heat like a proper winter sleeping bag, so layer up if that is your plan)
g. Put next days close inside your sleeping bag so they are warm when you wake up
h. Insulate your sleeping area (layer fabric walls on tent, soft/rigid insulation inside hard wall campers, etc)
i. Layers during the day (during high activity this allows you to strip layers so you do not sweat, get wet and then get cold later). Adding layers when you are less active means you do not need to carry many styles of outer layers. Layering works best on your upper half, so you can regulate temp by adjusting (lower level needs you to remove boots to change pant layers, which invites risks)
5) Vehicle:
a. Booster cables
b. Shovel/recovery system (recovery point, GoTreads/traction board system, soft shackle and strap to connect vehicle to recovery vehicle
c. Good tires
d. Adequate fuel (keep your tank as full as possible during winter) There is a gas station 2km from camp location, diesel is 12km away
e. Emergency kit in vehicle (spare clothing layer, gloves, flashlight, candle, battery pack, emergency warmth blanket)
6) Final thoughts:
a. Your camp site is not plowed. There is fresh snow (max 1.5ft). You can pack this down with walking, snow shoes, shovels, etc. This is a great chance to learn what it takes to make a spot comfortable for winter camping. Boots and pants should keep snow out of your shoes
b. The trail around camp is dragged and pretty easy to walk
c. There is a lot of fire wood, but do not rely on camp fires to cook all your food or stay warm. Firewood is not perfectly seasoned, fires will be maintained by volunteers and guests, but these are a comfort/social feature, not survival
d. Keep care of your garbage
e. Be mindful of others
i. Be aware of your noise/time of night so people can sleep and feel comfortable in their space
ii. Be aware of your outputs (smoke, exhaust, etc), do you best to ensure smoke you or your vehicle/heaters exhale are not diminishing another person’s experience
iii. Know where your dogs (and kids) are. Other guests should not have to keep another person’s dog away from their food, or feel threatened by a dog that may not like men, people with hoods or faces covered (my old pup did not like people acting suspicious or faces covered – could make people scared). Even the friendliest dogs could take food off a stove or persons hand, nobody wants to pack just enough food, to have a meal wasted. If your dog is attracted to another dog, but they do not seem to get along, you will have to ensure your dog gives that dog it’s space.
1. Everyone is expected to be respectful of others. I love dogs, kids and people (in that order HA!), so as long as everyone is willing to be accountable, every person & pup will have an awesome time.
f. Ask for help. If you need anything at all, speak with myself (Nick) or Nigel. If you need help levelling your vehicle with some pieces of fire wood, some of the guys will help, if a tree is in the way of your awning, we will help cut it safely, if you can’t figure out something with your heater, we will band together and figure it out.
7) Pizza Pocket recipe:
a. Ingredients:
i. Dough – Pilsbury pizza dough (unwraps to rectangles to form 2x pizza pockets)
ii. Sauce – can/jar
iii. Cheese – pre-shredded (purchased or prepared like that)
iv. Meat – pre-sliced pepperoni, cooked ground beef, vegetables, etc.
b. Preparation:
i. Cut dough into 2x rectangles
ii. Pour sauce/place toppings just off center
iii. Fold dough, pinch along sides
c. Cooking:
i. In a clam-shell style cast iron cooking for over the fire, put some butter or Pam spray inside. OR, wrap in HD tin-foil and cook near fire;
ii. Cook over the fire for 5+ minutes, rotating half way through, checking every 2 mins
d. Enjoy! No mess prep, cook or clean up.
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