Everyone to bring their own tents and general camping supplies. A tarp is recommended for over your tent and a ground sheet for under your tent to assist in dealing with snow.We will leave Riding Mountain later mid afternoon Sunday Nov. 23, and stop for supper at one of the Neepawa restaurants on the way home. For activities during the day bring hiking boots and snow shoes.
Personal items required. Flashlight (I prefer the headlamp), whistle, personal items (toothbrush and washing supplies, towel, personal hygiene materials), sunscreen, cup, plate, and cutlery, layer clothing including a parka,toque. The toque can be important. The average low for Riding Mountain at this time of year is -20. It can be much colder. So a sleeping bag rated for -50 c is essential. This can be the deal breaker for people camping this time of year. I personally use a -20 c mummy style bag that I know fits in my -30 c regular fit bag. With my toque I can be confident of being comfortable for the night. One also needs a sleeping pad. I use two foamies this time of the year. A very useful item for winter camping is to have a warm base layer that can just stay on you for the night. A layer that you don’t need to strip out of when you go to bed, so you never have to get buff naked. I find this layer must be very loose fitting or it keeps me awake. Also useful is a night bottle so one doesn’t have to exit the tent to pee. Apparently women can find this useful too. Recreation items, hiking boots, optional snow shoes, skis, binoculars, camera.
Group items I will be bringing include water, cooking pots, fire starter materials, first aid, large ax,
We will bring our own lunches, cutlery and dishes. There will be one breakfast and one supper to tend to. Suggested menu, for those that wish to be in the group food group, breakfast of bacon and eggs, toast, jam and coffee, supper, my dehydrated Sheppard's pie (basically side of dehydrated potato, with a sauce of ground beef, mixed vegetables (heavy on the corn), spiced with Italian spice with extra Rosemary, thickened with corn starch, parmesan cheese. Desert, cookies (If you have a preference, let me know, otherwise Presidents choice decadent chocolate chip). Participants have the option to be independent for food. Independents must bring cooking materials including pots.I am not sure how we could split the food for everyone to bring a portion so those that wish to be in the group food may be best to just pay me $10 toward the food costs and I will bring the food supplies. They are simple enough to pack.All trip participants must sign the Nature Manitoba liability waiver viewable atpage 3 of Transportation costs for car pooling will probably be in the 60.00 range. Driver provides the vehicle and 1st passenger pays 2/3 gas, if more than one passenger, passengers split the gas / pay all the gas. Park entry fee Adult 7.80 Senior 6.55 per person or 19.60 per vehicle, camping 15.70. per person.
There is a picnic shelter with two large wood cookstoves and picnic tables at the camp spot. The park will be deciding this week whether or not they will winter seal the picnic shelter this year. If they do this will be especially nice for storing water.
Any questions or suggestions to alter the plan please advise. Recommendations will be gratefully received and considered.
Note: If the Whirlpool Lake road is closed we will stay at Moon Lake which is more easily accessible to the main highway.