The Other Side of Winter Camping No One Talks About

[@PaulMessner]

My kind of camping Dev. Thanks for taking us along and for all the videos this year. I’m looking forward to see what 2025 brings. Merry Christmas

[@woodchip2782]

Hey,Paul! Nice to see you here!😊

[@BackcountryExposure]

Ah thanks Paul! 2025 is going to be great! Appreciate you my friend, have a wonderful holiday!

[@jays7318]

You use the words "enjoy" and "cozy" a lot, as well as "comfortable", "good experience", "really nice". Indicates how grateful you are to be able to do what you do. Merry Christmas

[@BackcountryExposure]

In a sea of negativity it seems often, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you noticing little details like that from my experience on this super quick trip. Thank you!!

[@jays7318]

@BackcountryExposure I am glad to have countered some of that negativity directed towards you. Thank you for sharing your happy backcountry times

[@Pasequale100]

yeah very cool and chilled video - the vibe that i need in that stressed and overachieved society :)

[@ColbyontheTrail]

"A realistic winter backpacking trip" My favorite!

[@NovaScotiaSouthShore]

Found your channel Devin and really enjoy your content. Thanks for taking me along. Watching from Nova Scotia 🇨🇦

[@BackcountryExposure]

@@NovaScotiaSouthShore ah thanks for being here!

[@WalkingDevon]

"Enjoy the quiet" words to live by. Merry Christmas Devin.

[@BackcountryExposure]

😊😊

[@scottgephart9749]

Devin, my wife gave me one of your food bags for Christmas. That thing is awesome! It is green and absolutely flawless. Your craftsmanship is impressive. Merry Christmas!

[@BackcountryExposure]

Ah that’s awesome! Thanks for sharing that and hope you enjoy it! 😊

[@wyregrasser7540]

Thanks for sharing... Merry Christmas to you and yours! Yuk, that's some gruesome looking gruel...

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thank you, merry Christmas!

[@jjhikespa3600]

Great video! Looks like a very relaxing trip and spending the winter solstice camping outside is awesome. Thanks!

[@BackcountryExposure]

I’ve been trying to make going out for the solstice’s a thing each year.

[@Fellmandave1]

This looked great Devin. We long for these conditions in the UK. Rain and wind is too often the order of the day. But I think you hit the mood just right with this one, Christmas is all about relaxing and being good to yourself! Looking forward to move of your videos, who has become my favorite US 'tuber. Happy New Year and a merry Christmas!

[@BackcountryExposure]

@@Fellmandave1 thank you! I’ve just had some family move to the UK, and so maybe in the next few years I’ll be able to experience some wild camping. Appreciate you spending some time hanging out with me. Have a wonderful holiday!

[@Fellmandave1]

​@@BackcountryExposureyou'd be most welcome Devin. I am sure there are some on here, including myself, that would be happy to loan you a tent and take you to a cool spot.The lake district comes to mind. Let us know and we'll make it happen!

[@BackcountryExposure]

@@Fellmandave1there’s a short list of you guys over there I’d lean on to show me around. You, Paul, Andrew and a couple others I think would make the experience of the area pretty awesome. Fingers crossed I make it out there!

[@HikingwithRouletteRun]

As I was watching you eat your food, it reminded me of my last Mountain House meal where I was sitting there thinking, "You know? A bouillon cube would add a ton of difference to this thing." Bouillon cubes are going on every backpacking trip from now on. They're light and they pack some flavor. Merry Christmas, Devon

[@BackcountryExposure]

Yes! 100% that would make such a difference.

[@matuscuninka5011]

You put the poles wrong way. The short crossing pole must be placed under the 2 longtitual poles , not over them.

[@rockymountboy]

Knorr has a fantastic Pesto pasta sauce packet. Just add vinegar & water.

[@nabwong]

Merry Christmas to you and your family! Love your channel. Keep up the great work and wishing you a great 2025!

[@azclaimjumper]

This is the kind of weather I especially like for a winter overnight. Nothing extreme! Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada

[@BackcountryExposure]

Just good to be outside, right?

[@seattlegrrlie]

Smartwool sock liners. Give them a try, keeps feet next level warm without getting super hot

[@PokerMuppet]

A great video thank you. One thing... Pretty much every aspect of kit is always covered by yourself and others including the chosen 'sleep system'... but what seems to never be mentioned is what people like yourself choose to wear while sleeping. Do you pretty much keep everything on? Do you go down to first level base layers? This makes a big difference on trying to judge a sleep system and how warm it is.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Great question. For me, it’s base layer bottoms and down socks. If it’s mega cold then I’ll add down pants. On my top, temperature dependent, I’ll do base layer, then mid layer, and add my down if really really cold.

[@vernonmartin9737]

20 years ago I enjoyed trips like this in the Colorado Rockies, but now when I'm 78, and the mountains are still beckoning, I won't be soloing. Thanks for letting me come along for a great virtual outing!

[@rodoutdoors]

That's awesome. Thanks for sharing. I've been wanting to do exactly that since I started backpacking. To go on an overnight trip on dry powder snow. I don't even remember the last time I touched snow. Over here it's cold, wet, and windy. 😅 That pot looks handy. I would definitely try to cook Japanese steamed rice with that.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Totally a great application for that. I’ve done a few batches of jasmine rice at home just to get some time with it.

[@alecwolff4761]

Really sorry to hear about the scare, but extremely happy to hear he’s on the upswing!

[@bushcraftbasics2036]

If folks don't like the term "sleep system" you could "energizing ensemble"...

[@BackcountryExposure]

Ha ha! Nice!

[@MtnWanderer-TieDye-]

Why are folks not liking sleep system?

[@bihlygoat]

Good job finding snow in Utah this winter!

[@e-tumleh]

Zenbivy - this will be my next sleep system. I've heard so many good things about it so far. 😊

[@BackcountryExposure]

@@e-tumleh it’s truly an amazing sleep!

[@lolobeans]

I love these hang out vids you've been doing, really enjoyable to watch (especially with still a bit of gear nerd talk). That table is amazing. Thoughts on your Alfredo: I'm thinking maybe a steam pot was the issue, as the lack of moisture escape makes it hard for the sauce to thicken? (I have had success with keeping a few tbsp of instant mashed potatoes in my food bag in case of watery meals btw, that will thicken anything up!) Thanks for bringing us along on these. I live in the Canadian prairies and I'm sorry to say that winter camping trips here are simply an exercise in masochism but I love watching you all enjoy more moderate temps in the snow!!

[@BackcountryExposure]

Ah very cool! To be honest, I almost didn’t upload or even finish the edit of this when I first sat down after the trip. But super glad you enjoyed hanging with me! Noted on the cooking tips. Thank you!

[@SuperEarther]

nice camp! i tried my new setup in cold temps in my garden and it worked so well!

[@countrygirl63baker64]

😊 it really is amazing how one quiet evening in nature can re energize the soul....

[@BackcountryExposure]

😊😊

[@DaniDenny29]

How do you clean dishes?

[@woodchip2782]

Someone should invent a backpack that transforms into a sleeping bag!😊

[@HARDERNOTSMARTER8985]

Outstanding!

[@ChristianPaulPhotography]

No crowds in the winter! With the right gear even the extreme is fun! I haven't even been out touring yet. It's sticks and stones out there. 😱 UL Hot Tent Ka Ching! 😁

[@BackcountryExposure]

Totally! Just me and the coyotes. 😂 Man I hope the storm this week produces something and you can hit those low angle powder runs!

[@ChristianPaulPhotography]

@ I had two incredible years previously, so I’m biding my time. Hope we get a big spring cycle. 🤞

[@paul_hikiing_outdoor]

Hi Devin. Merry Christmas. That rice cooker pot came out about 2~3 years, never see any one use it to cook noodle with it. If you have time check out the new NU27 headlamp.

[@Bikepacking]

It good to see you got your self the Kieth’s mult pot you can even bake bread in it

[@BackcountryExposure]

😁😁

[@wanliyang6511]

HA! First time I saw the Keith steamer on KZbin!😊 I use it to steam rice for “real” meals in wilderness. Works flawlessly!

[@ricklundgren797]

Great weather especially with fresh snow to look for animal tracks.

[@pmh9966]

Knowing my luck I would wind up wearing thon soupy concoction... ;-)

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

I don't do much winter backpacking anymore but when the force takes over it's definitely a heavier loadout ... If hiking really part of the trek then I have changed to using a Pulk sled to handle the weight ,, there will be noticeable increase .. If a true winter outing with actual snow 12" or more ,, I would set a base camp with a canvas hot tent at or next to a vehicle .. Can still be an awesome time to be in the forest ,, and usually alone with your own thoughts .. but too much work for just 1-2 nights ... Definite thumbs up on the Nortent ,, looks like a high quality setup .. that spike table is choice also , but they seem to be hard to get , never avail. , , probably too popular .. I first saw them years ago from Shug using one with a Hammock setup ... Stay Safe ... Merry Christmas ..

[@BackcountryExposure]

Each year I tell myself this will be the year I get a pulk. Still haven’t done it.

[@brianadventures9622]

I also took advantage of the longest night of the year and slept outside, it was just the backyard though but it was a good reacquaintance with some of my winter gear. Had a 14° night and stayed toasty!

[@BackcountryExposure]

Love it! That’s a solid way to put gear to the test.

[@jamesmccreery250]

I wan't the -5 light quilt! I have the light convertible and a core sheet for summer camping. I'll be getting the -5 soon!

[@michaelstoddard1606]

You took a steamer camping. On the winter solstice. And DIDN’T take tamales with you!? For shame! 🤣

[@jamesmccreery250]

I only backpack to fish, so the stream would be plenty of entertainment for me!

[@commonfan5230]

What are the gloves you're wearing in this video?

[@BackcountryExposure]

They are from outdoor designs. I forget the exact model.

[@tarekith]

Would love to see a video on how to clean up a dinner like this while still following LNC principles. I always see people cooking these great meals in a pot, but even if you rinse with water and drink the rest don’t you inherently still need to pour some of it on the ground (or any snow you use to scrub?) attracting animals?

[@tarekith]

Sorry, meant LNT, KZbin won’t let me edit my post.

[@BackcountryExposure]

That’s a great question. The simple answer without a video is to dig a hole and dump your dirty water into the hole. If you can strain out the big chunks and put into your garbage bag, then do that. And always broadcast your water as much as possible. Away from your camp and water sources too.

[@JarradShaw]

How would you compare that pack used to the shadowlite 65 for this specific trip?

[@BackcountryExposure]

Ah good question. Hard to answer as I’ve never carried the Shadowlite. The thing about the Big Wild is its purpose built to carry heavy loads of gear. It was initially designed to be used for carrying a pack raft and kit. So it’ll easily carry 65 pounds and 30 pounds in it feels like 10 pounds in a UL pack. It’s unreal.

[@JarradShaw]

Ok, that sounds amazing. OV’s Shadowlite can’t do that. Thanks Devin

[@amandathomas9580]

Thank you for this! Make more products for etsy! Like making detailed KZbin videos isn't enough 😅... Eric H didn't send me, promise.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thank you! Much more in the works… possibly launching a whole new store front in 2025. 🤫😁

[@ISPhotographic]

Why didn’t you just pour a bit of the water out if you felt like there was too much?

[@BackcountryExposure]

@@ISPhotographic 🤷🏻‍♂️ in the moment, I don’t know.

[@tom70]

I don’t trust that table.

[@piotrwydmuch9413]

Awesome :)

[@MtnWanderer-TieDye-]

That chicken looked like a cow tongue. 😂

[@BackcountryExposure]

That definitely did not aid in the taste of the meal!

[@davidcooper8390]

My favorite part of this video might have been the food commentary. It's not terrible.....it's not great...it's food.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Yeah… it was calories. 😂

[@glennwatson3313]

Where was the part that no one talks about?

[@BackcountryExposure]

Ha ha, the point was that so much of the videos you see on KZbin of people winter camping is all about survival, extreme weather, surviving a snow storm, winter camping in a blizzard. The other side was the point that the buzz words are fun, but it’s not always realistic for us to be winter camping in those situations.

[@bencruz563]

Fire, you spend your time managing a fire. Do you even burn shit bruh?

[@user-no2ei6dp2q]

I would never go winter camping without a fire and don’t understand people who don’t

[@BackcountryExposure]

@@user-no2ei6dp2q sometimes it’s just not needed, or the area isn’t conducive to having a fire.

[@asmith7876]

I'm with you, I only did one winter camp in my entire life where I didn't have a fire. The only time we don't have a fire is during a burn ban but that's always drought conditions in summer.

[@user-no2ei6dp2q]

I’m curious, why didn’t you make a fire. Did you forget your silky! It seems your trip would have been so much more enjoyable with one. Freezing your a$& off while eating dinner and having to retreat to the tent. 😂