Overview
This wild camping trip lasted for several days. For my previous camping experience (in summer), check here↓
Winter Wild Camping
I've done wild camping for months at a time. But winter was uncharted territory for me. Technically, I tried it as a kid. Back then, I had little knowledge and only a sleeping bag for camping gear. I didn't really understand tents, and I'm not even sure if I knew the word "camping" as a leisure activity. As a kid, I bundled up in really thick clothes and lay under the cold sky in my thin sleeping bag, but couldn't fall asleep. Eventually, I would sleep during the warmer day and travel at night. That was tough (I think). That's why I couldn't confidently say, "I can do wild camping."
But now, my knowledge and wallet are on a different level. I set out with adequate gear and the mindset to buy more along the way if necessary.
Well, in Midori's case, there's the limitation of what can be carried on her trusty Cub.
Waterfront and City Snapshots
Usually, I only use my snow boots for city walking, but this time they also got to tread along the waterfront...
And crunch through some snow.
However, they struggled with the main roads' snow melting pipes. Although the melting snow was helpful, the splashing water soaked my boots. Snow boots are not rain boots, after all.
Underprepared for Wet Conditions
I think I did well preparing for the cold. However, I was underprepared for getting wet.
This photo was taken at the onset of a blizzard. Getting my gloves wet was a bad move. In summer, getting wet is just a bit uncomfortable, but in winter, it chills the body to the bone.
During the trip, I often kept a diary and noticed something interesting: my mood was linked to the weather. Bad weather made my future plans vague and meek. Good weather brightened my writing and led me to plan not just for the trip but also for what I'd do after returning home.
This is a personal lesson for me: think about the future when the weather is good, warm, and dry.
