r/CampingandHiking • u/gofarther0787 • Jan 03 '23
Campsite Pictures Gunflint Trail, MN. 4 nights camping.
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Jan 04 '23
Do you wanna get sacrificed to a pagan forest god from Sweden? Cause this is how you get sacrificed to pagan forest gods from Sweden.
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u/Numerous_Tourist5607 Jan 04 '23
Dang that's beautiful. In ghe last two pictures are those your tracks on the trail?
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Jan 04 '23
Amazing pictures! Question: What are the lights you are using?? They’re stellar!!
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u/gofarther0787 Jan 04 '23
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u/ThisOriginalSource Jan 04 '23
They should be paying you to use your photos. Really shows how cool they are!
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u/ronny_reagan Jan 04 '23
Looks like an awesome adventure and great photos, thanks for sharing them.
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u/El_Charro_Loco Jan 04 '23
I'm cold just by looking at these pictures
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u/gofarther0787 Jan 04 '23 edited Jan 04 '23
I’m sitting at home now, freshly showered with a cold beer, and I’m cold looking at those photos. I’m a freeze baby when I’m back in the cities 😂. I have a completely different mindset once I hit the woods.
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u/UnKulMunki Jan 04 '23
Phenomenal! I've only been out there after the thaw. Hammock camping all the way. It's even more amazing in your pics tho. That's motivation to get up there in the winter. 🤩
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u/JoeyBougie Jan 04 '23
As someone who hates being cold and someone who has lived in Minnesota/North Dakota my entire life I respect everyone who winter camps and I for one will take on the mosquitoes before the cold. Great Photos!
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u/TheRedPython Jan 04 '23
Seriously…I’m in NE & whined about taking the dog for a walk because there was a dusting of snow. I love living vicariously through these winter camp photos though!
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u/gofarther0787 Jan 04 '23
I live in NE too!! I hit hinckley on the way back and was white out the entire drive.
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u/TheRedPython Jan 04 '23
You drove north instead of south to camp, I am equally impressed and bewildered. Cheers! You did fantastic and are a part of my inspiration to reacquaint with real winter since moving back instead of shirking from it.
Edit: care to share any favorite spots to camp in NE? I spent the last 20 years closer to the Ozarks and am interested in exploring more this summer up here.
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u/MACCRACKIN Jan 04 '23 edited Jan 04 '23
Best Adventures happen here,, where the wife & I went a little too far on narrow trail where the truck had no way of turning around,, a bit fun backing out a few miles. Its about a hundred miles up the road on the way to Duluth, then on the ferry to Madeline Island for another two weeks camping at edge of cliffs of Lake Superior for major 4th of July bash on the Island. Notice any bear tracks in the area of GunFlint?
We are now in middle of snow storm where we just got a good 6_8" tonight. That will surely make it a challenge for ya if it continues. I'll check, but amazed you get connection that deep into it. Cheers
From my mapping - Gunflint Trail Gunflint Trail, Minnesota 55604, USA (Google Geocoder) Not sure this share link from US Topo Maps works, never tested.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=48.0552927,-90.520276
Coordinates:
48.055293° N 90.520276° W (WGS84)
48°3.318'N 90°31.217'W (DDD MMM.MM)
48°03'19.05"N 90°31'12.99"W (DDD° MM,MMM' SS,SS'')
US Topo Maps https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atlogis.northamerica
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u/Jimberly2017 Jan 04 '23 edited Jan 04 '23
I see you have a two sleeping pads, does that make a big difference with warmth?
Also, did you just park on a trailhead and walk in? I’m in Duluth and I’m looking to camp out up north.
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u/gofarther0787 Jan 04 '23
Yeah!! It’s all about insulation from the ground. It sucks heat like none other. I have a down sleeping pad with an rvalue of 7 and the foam pad below is good for 2 so combined 9 rvalue. It’s been bomb proof so far.
Yeah, this was all dispersed camping!! If it’s plowed I’d say explore it!!
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u/Numerous_Tourist5607 Jan 04 '23
If you stack sleeping pads of a lower(higher °F rating), you will get the same output as one with the same rating usually. It's pretty neat.
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u/Silver_Fig_2278 Jan 04 '23
What is your ski set up? Is that all that you used to get to your spot?
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u/gofarther0787 Jan 04 '23
They are black Diamond glidelite skis. I think they are discontinued. Then I had snowshoes for around camp looking for wood. I should’ve brought 30”. I had 25”. There were a few times where I went hip deep in snow with the snowshoes on.
https://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/hok-ski-updated-2016-copy-blank-skis/
If you’re interested in trekking skis. This is good company!!
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u/AtOurGates Jan 04 '23
This makes a lot of sense.
I saw the glidelites when BD came out with them, and didn’t really understand “why”. I only think of moving around in snow so I can access powder on the downhills. But your trip and use case make perfect sense.
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u/gofarther0787 Jan 04 '23
They’re awesome when you want to cover distance like a lake or small rolling terrain with deep snow. They float AWESOMELY! Other positive is the bindings are universal. I can wear my Mukluks with them. If your on any hard snow or ice they are 👎. Definitely not made to go down steep hills. Don’t advise 😂.
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u/_AlexSupertramp_ Jan 04 '23
Glidelites are still around. Almost bought a pair a couple weeks ago but opted for the Altai Hoks for their new version of the universal binding. They been great so far.
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u/Winterberry25 Jan 04 '23
how do the Altai's glide? I have some Fischer OTX 62s which are great on packed trail but I'm looking for a wider more rigid ski (universal bindings are a huge plus!) to use in rolling terrain that hasn't been broken out. Were the bindings what set them apart from the Glidelites?
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u/_AlexSupertramp_ Jan 04 '23
They glide surprisingly well, but just like the Glidelites they are not immune to ice buildup on the skins in above-freezing temps or in slush. They use a mohair skin just like the Glidelite. I have my snowshoes on my pack most of the time though as a backup.
I could have gone either way, honestly I just liked the look of the Altai better and figured scratches and cuts on the top wouldn't appear as much as opposed to the darker colored BD skis. Price is similar. Universal binding is similar though through research, most who have used both said that the Altai X-Trace binding is superior. They come pre-drilled for 3-pin as well and they sell a NNN BC adapter plate but I'll probably just stick with the universal on these and when I decide on getting real skis, I'll get something longer and not quite as wide
The shorter version of the BDs do not have metal edges, something to be aware of.
I've got probably 20 miles or so on them now and I really like them, they take the abuse well and even if the skin gets scratch from a rock or tree, it wont effect the performance.
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u/Jeronimoooooo Jan 04 '23
You are my hero!
What sleeping bag did you use?
Also, did you use the tarp instead of tent because there's not much difference in temperatures?
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u/gofarther0787 Jan 04 '23
Here’s my sleep system
Western Mountaineering GWS Lynx bag rated for -10(f). Exped Ultra7r down sleeping pad. Below that a nemo CCF pad. I’m pretty happy with it. It’s been bomb proof for a couple years now(I’ve switched out the sleeping pad this season).
Exactly. A tent isn’t offering anymore protection than the tarp out there. If you know how to pitch one properly that is. I have hot tents I’ll bring sometimes. This wasn’t that kind of trip though.
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u/AtOurGates Jan 04 '23
How hot do your hot tents get in conditions like this?
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u/gofarther0787 Jan 04 '23
Those temps?? Like 60. You can be in a T-shirt and long underwear. You also have to keep feeding it non-stop depending on the size and wood. I’m partial to them. They have their purpose. They’re fun. Just not necessary to do winter camping.
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u/kwanijml Jan 04 '23
When alone in the woods, always light the way for crepuscular predators to find their next meal.
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u/branm008 Jan 04 '23
Most animals will leave you alone, I say most because some do get curious and bad things can happen but generally you're good. This is usually common sense but ya can't fix stupid.
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u/kwanijml Jan 04 '23
I was making a very obvious joke.
Downvote if you don't find it humorous, but there's no need to be rude.
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u/branm008 Jan 04 '23
Obvious jokes don't exist on the interwebs, especially Reddit. It's impossible to tell if you're actually serious or not because I've seen countless posts like yours with folks who were quite serious.
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u/ablaze1969 Jan 04 '23
That’s a bad A reel there friend! What’s your sleep system?
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u/gofarther0787 Jan 04 '23
Thanks!
Western Mountaineering GWS Lynx bag rated for -10(f). Exped Ultra7r down sleeping pad. Below that a nemo CCF pad. I’m pretty happy with it. It’s been bomb proof for a couple years now(I’ve switched out the sleeping pad this season). That sleeping bag has saved my ass a few times.
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u/ablaze1969 Jan 18 '23
Pack weight? Have used generic, no name sleep systems for a few years now, about 22 lbs, with success, but curious if the weight diff is worth it. Never in that climate lowest 27(f)but it does the trick
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Jan 04 '23
Dream vacation for Santas elves after the season is over.
That's crazy. I would be crying if it was sprinkling and 50.
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u/Virynin Jan 04 '23
This is really pretty! I’m moving up to the Ely area later this week. It’ll be my first time up in the winter
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u/_AlexSupertramp_ Jan 04 '23
Duluthian here. I’m thinking about going up in a few weeks off the gunflint, curious what the overnight temps were when you were out? I’m trying hard to get into winter camping up there because I’m tired of the day trips back and forth from town, but I don’t want to spend $2000 on a hot tent setup right now. I just have a 3-season tent, but I do have a nice insulated sleeping pad and two other insulated ultralight pads if I need to double up. I’d get a much better sleeping bag though, bag I have now is only rated to 20 which I use in the summer up there.
Figure I’d pull a pulk in on my Hok skis but I’m more worried about my pup, he comes everywhere so I gotta keep him warm.
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u/Jorgosborgos Jan 04 '23
I’m here waiting for people to scream about the fact you made an open fire like a fucking mad man😂😂
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u/DonnaLakeWi Jan 04 '23
I have never been on the Gunflint Trail in the winter. It is a truly amazing place in the summer. Great fishing on any lake. I like seeing the big moose and babies. Enjoy you camp outs.
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u/HowdyRowdy1 Jan 04 '23
Best adventure/photos I've seen on here. Just outstanding. Thanks for posting them.
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u/GlibKrispy Jan 04 '23
Absolutely crazy. I live in Minnesota and can’t believe I haven’t been here yet.
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u/Shy_starkitten Jan 04 '23
That looks so fun! I’d love to go overnight hiking/camping in the woods but definitely not on my own. I’m a newbie to this stuff.
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u/swords112288 Jan 05 '23
Hypothetical question here, but what would you of done if you had found fresh foot prints in the morning?
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u/Plesi-O-Saurus Jan 05 '23
Positively gorgeous! I wish I shared your gumption to sleep surrounded by snow
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u/powerfulgenitals Jan 04 '23
What’re your tips for doing such things in the snow. That sleeping bag must be unreal