Veteran winter camper wants to warm others up to his passion

Bear Paulsen is a lion in winter.

The 45-year-old from Chisago City has been winter camping for more than 25 years, in some of the most unforgiving cold-weather environments across North America — from the Canadian Yukon to Michigan's Upper Peninsula and several states and provinces in between.

For Paulsen, sublime joy is deep snow, bitter cold, numbing windchills and the possibility that something could go terribly wrong, yet being prepared enough to adapt, overcome and survive.

"Winter camping isn't for everyone, but I love it. I even love being cold," said Paulsen, a well-respected winter camping instructor and the general manager of Northstar Canoes in Princeton. "I love to camp all times of the year. But what I probably love most about winter camping is that I can go to places close by and not share them with anyone.

"Winter makes the wilderness bigger and you more anonymous. The sounds and sights are stunning in their own way, too. The trees pop. The ice booms. The snow squeaks. The sunsets in winter are more muted and shaded in pastels. It's all very compelling and different than summer camping. And there are no mosquitoes or black flies to deal with. I don't recall ever missing them."

Paulsen winter-camps two or three times a year, including one monthlong trip into the frigid inner sanctum of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. That trip involves friends and newcomers alike.

"The boundary waters trip is for warm camping, which means having an external heating source, like a wood-burning stove for your tent," he said. "That's the one trip I can actually convince some of my friends to go on. Cold camping is far different. It's basically about survival and sleeping outside with maybe a shelter. You're at the mercy of the weather. It's challenging, but that's what winter camping is all about."

• Attitude is everything. Paulsen said winter camping can be taxing, mentally and physically. Be prepared to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. "It's remarkable how much you can achieve with a positive attitude," he said. "That starts on the front side with understanding what you're likely to experience. You know you're going to be cold and uncomfortable and get exhausted. Make peace with that and you'll enjoy yourself more. Embark on the challenge with a positive attitude."

• Proper cold-weather clothing, boots and head gear. The goal is to stay warm and dry. Dress in layers with clothing that wicks moisture, dries quickly, insulates and is breathable and waterproof. "There are basically three layers you want to concentrate on, and that starts with the base layer, which is closest to your body," he said. "Money that's best spent is on clothing closest to your body. Synthetics and wools work best. They wick away moisture and dry quickly. Stay away from cotton."

• The second is your insulation layer, such as a down jacket or fleece shirt and pants. "It's all about retaining your body temperature," he said. "The third is that outer layer. You want a shell that breaks the wind and is waterproof."

• Paulsen recommends waterproof and insulating winter boots that promote good circulation. "They shouldn't be too tight," he said. Paulsen always wears a balaclava. "They're amazing," he said. "They seal off your head and neck. Wearing one allows me to wear less on my torso and lower half."

• Moisture management. "The first rule of winter camping is to never sweat, or as little as possible," he said. "So it's very important to learn how your body works and how much clothing you'll need for what you're doing. It's all trial and error, though. Everyone is different."

• Food and water. Winter camping and its many activities burn calories quickly. Eat and drink regularly to keep your energy up and to ward off dehydration. "You really have to anticipate what's happening to your body," he said. "You never want to get behind. You want to eat before you're hungry and drink water before you're thirsty."

• Fats, proteins and carbohydrates are all good energy sources. Consider meals that "don't take much cooking time and are easy to clean up." "You want to up your fat intake to stay warm," he said. "I eat a lot of nuts, meat sticks and cheese. For breakfast, I like oatmeal. For dinner, maybe a freeze-dried meal and hot soup. There are more options than you think in winter."

• Sleeping gear. Sleeping outdoors (or in a tent) requires ample ground insulation. Paulsen's system has several layers, starting with a basic tarp "so my gear isn't sitting in the snow." He then puts down a "closed-cell foam" sleeping pad and an inflatable insulated mat. "It pays to have a high-quality mummy bag," Paulsen said. "I prefer down versus synthetic insulation because it lasts longer."

• Preparation. Paulsen strongly recommends testing and assembling all your equipment (stove, tent, head lamps, etc.) before leaving for a trip. "Let it sit outside for a few hours and then go mess [with] it," he said. "The last thing you want is to be on a trip and find out your camp stove doesn't work."

• Education. Take a winter-camping class, or read a book on the subject. Paulsen recommends "The Winter Camping Handbook" by Stephen Gorman. "Both will give you a useful base of knowledge before you venture out on your own," he said.