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BPX 2-Day: Burning Bear Campground (RMNP)

Trip

Camp – BPX 3-Day: Burning Bear Campground

3rd Annual BPX Winter Camping Gear Check: In anticipation of more serious winter camping and backpacking trips after the holidays, we will test out our winter camping gear in sub-freezing temperatures. A two night option is available for those wanting to see how their gear fares on a multiday trip. Optional snowshoe trips or spike hikes will be available during the daytime. Participants must be graduates of CMC's Winter Camping School or have equivalent experience.

Contacts

Daniel Schweissing
Daniel Schweissing
Primary Leader
  • Fri, Dec 6, 2024 — Sun, Dec 8, 2024
  • Backpacking Section
  • Camping
  • Adults
  • Moderate
  • High Point Elevation: 9,813 ft

This is, first, an opportunity to test out our winter camping gear in sub-freezing temperatures—albeit under somewhat different conditions than full-on snow camping. And second, it will be an opportunity to socialize, swap stories (or tell tall tales), learn from one another's vast repository of outdoor experience, and complete an overnight practice run in anticipation of more serious winter camping trips after the holidays.

This trip takes place in an established campground (which will require payment of a campsite fee) so that we can drive in, setup our winter gear, and test it out.  That way, if something doesn't work as expected, we can always retreat to the warmth of our vehicles, if needed.

  • Leader permission is required to register for this trip.  Please let the leader know if/when you completed Winter Camping School and give a brief summary of your recent winter camping experience.
  • Please let the trip leader know if you plan to participate for both nights or just one night (and, if so, which night).
  • The trip leader reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or change the trip destination if potentially severe weather conditions threaten to impede our ability to safely complete the trip as officially scheduled.
  • We will NOT be hiking or camping in avalanche terrain.

Sample Itinerary: 

Day 1 - Drive to Campsite, Set-Up Camp, Optional Hike > 5 miles

Day 2 - Optional Hike 5-10 miles

Day 3 - Break Camp, Optional Hike 8-10 miles, Drive Home

Special Notes:

BPX is a community of backpackers who respect, trust, help each other, and honor our commitments.  By registering for this trip, you are committing to going on the trip and will cancel only for a true emergency.  And if absolutely necessary, you agree to cancel as early as possible so another member may take your place on the trip.

"JOIN THE PACK"

CMC BACKPACKING SECTION (BPX)

https://www.cmc.org/groups-sections/special-interest-sections/backpacking-section

Meeting time, location, driving directions, and carpooling info will be provided via email prior to the trip date.

Route/Place

BPX 2-Day: Burning Bear Campground (RMNP)

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

  • Standard winter camping gear or appropriately repurposed three-season backpacking gear is required.  Review the links below if you need a refresher on what to bring for this type of trip.
  • Gear should include snowshoes and microspikes; extra-fuel canisters, a 2L pot, and a winter-worthy stove suitable for melting snow into water; and sufficient layers and insulation, both daytime clothing and sleep system, to stay warm down to ZERO degrees Fahrenheit, if needed, while remaining nimble enough to adapt to possible "warmish" daytime temperatures in the 30s. 
  • Food should include at minimum  three lunches, two dinners, two breakfasts, and LOTS of snacks and hot drinks.  (Reduce accordingly if you plan to participate only one night.)
  • Avalanche gear is not required as we will not be traveling in avalanche terrain.
  • A sled is not required for BPX winter camping trips but can be helpful, particularly, if you are carrying older, heavier winter gear.
  • If you are thinking about building or buying a sled for winter camping, let me know and I'll forward you diagrams and build instructions from CMC's Pulk Building webinar.

For more info on Winter Camping Gear:

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