Serious Question - Winter Backpacking!!! !****!!!!

“Hello. I'm rather new to this "Trail Talk" and it seems like the happening place. My question is about backpacking in the backcountry during the winter, and the risks or dangers involved in that. I am aware of the obvious: thin ice above streams/lakes, hypothermia....but I was wondering if any of you have come across any more dangers or risks while all by yourselves in that beautiful white backcountry. I'm planning on an expedition to the Superior Hiking Trail near Canada in Minnesota, which is where I live. I have rather extensive experience with snow up here, as it snows 7 months out of the year. In fact we just an inch or two last week, and another inch 2 weeks ago.
Anyways...thanks for any input.

Keep Trekking!!
lucas”

“I might add that I plan to do this solo. All by myself.

Thanks again.”

“No specific advice, but you might want to check this site:

Princeton Outdoor Action-Winter Activities Page”

“Thanks, I thought I had that one bookmarked.... hmmm.....”

“Welcome theostudent!!

(is "theo" for theology? Or just "the O" student?? lol... )

There's a few Minnesota people here. I'm at the SE MN/NE IA border myself.”

“Lucas,

I thought about solo snow trips. But, last spring there were a few things that changed my mind. The fresh snow gave under me. The other 2 guys had to dig me out. The snow under me was around a tree and the snowshoe got caught in the branches under the snow. I couldn't have gotten out myself. I couldn't even get the snowshoe off.”

“Welcome Lucas!

I was thinking about that one too Snowy! Of course I had the same thing happen to me too later on...good thing you guys were there!

I agree with Snow Nymph, getting stuck in the snow by yourself can be fatal.”

“I soloed in winter last year..on backcountry skis and on snowshoes. They were 2 day trips.

The most important thing to do is leave an agenda with someone. Stay on the hiking paths and only go off trail to set up camp.

I had the "snowshoe under a branch" thing happen to me last year too. Took me a few minutes, but I got it out by sliding it backwards and lifting it out. The more I struggled, the harder it became stuck.

Every winter, thousands of people go ski touring or snowshoeing...only a rare few get into accidents. Enjoy the winter wonderland.”

“I think it was Walker talking about falling through to his armpits, hoping he was over a bush and not a stream...

There was someplace in the Pac NW he said there was so much snow (one year in particular) you could be in the top a tree.”

“Arizona”

“Stay dry.

Watch out for snow snakes.”

“what you are referring to are "tree-wells." Underneath a tree (firs and evergreens in particular) are the worst places to be. The snow accumulates DEEP and doesn't get packed down. Skiers have died by skiing into them. The harder they try to get out, the more they sink in. As you struggle to get out, the snow from the branches falls down on top of you and you become buried.”

“Hi wolfman!

I thought they were called "spruce traps"”

“I caught my ski under some brush buried under deep powder on a trip in Yellowstone and broke my leg just above the ankle. I was headed downhill, tried to turn and spiraled over the front of my skis, breaking my fibula; we were about half-way through an 8 mile loop. Luckily, I could still ski out on it before dark. Just something to think about....”

“I was downhill skiing (in the glades)2 years ago, when my left ski went under a root. I made like superman...luckily the binding released...unfortunately I struck the butt of the handle of the ski pole with my chest when I crashed. It hurt so bad, I thought I was having a heart attack. Lesson learnt...always keep the hands apart, in front and to the side (I knew that...but I got sloppy).”