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I grew up in the Rocky Mountains where the winter is naturally long. You only get to swim in the lakes for two months, and only in the middle two weeks of this period is the water even remotely warm. So it goes without saying that you better get used to living in cool weather for most of the year. This means that skating, skiing,snowmobiling and snowshoeing are the premier pastimes in the winter. However, not to be overlooked are winter hiking and camping.
One of the most amazing experiences is to hike up into the mountains with just a tent and sleeping bag and make camp in the snow. However, breaking camp in the middle of a February night and hiking amongst the shadows brought on by the moon is one of the most eerie feelings there is. At -20 degrees your snowshoes crunch through the top layer of frozen snow and the exposed parts of your face tingle. Usually at this time of the night the wind has died down so frost-bite is quite remote.
But above the crunching of the snowshoes you can hear and feel the night. Maybe it’s a snowy owl or the far-off bark of a coyote but the night is alive and shrouded in a bluish haze. It is the stuff of horror movies but it is also mesmerizing and a full-blown zen experience.
Nova Scotia has many parks that cater to winter camping. Only the experienced should go hiking after dark but it’s amazing how quickly you get used to living outdoors in such a harsh environment. All it takes is warm clothes, sleeping bag and good tent. You don’t need a fire and, in many cases, the snow is too deep.
However, if traveling alone one should never be without an emergency kit complete with pads that heat up when the chemicals are mixed. Waterproof matches, kindling and a small stove wouldn’t hurt either, depending on where you are going camping. And it may not be what the frontiersmen used but a charged cell phone will help out greatly in an emergency.
Another great partner to winter hiking and camping is ice fishing gear. Fish are ravenous in winter and you can easily catch your supper in the right places.
Novices should always travel with other people in a party. However, even experienced campers should check with the Nova Scotia Parks before going out on their own to get the latest in weather reports and to give them a time line on how long you are going to stay. It’s comforting to know that if you are late there are people who will come looking for you.
Oh, by the way, there are neat gadgets like portable solar arrays to keep your GPS and cell phone batteries charged!
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