Weekend snowshoe backpacking trip in Pennsylvania

[MichaelMerry]

My wife and I just wrapped a perfectly wonderful snowshoe backpacking trip on the Morrison trail in Allegheny National Forest, PA. It’s a favorite place for us to play in the deep snow because of multiple loop options, plowed parking lots and great camping. We hiked about 14 tough miles. Snow was deep. It was slushy during the day in the warmer temperatures, but would refreeze at night; not enough to create a crust. It was like chunky sand until the sun softened it. When we arrived, we hiked in a mile in the dark in a snow squall that was not forecast. It stopped as we set up camp and we didn’t even see a cloud the rest of the trip. Days were warm and calm and nights were calm, starry and cool.

 

[Robin]

I have to hand it to you, that’s a pretty hard core trip imo, 14 miles on snow shoes, and cold camp. Was it one overnight? Very nice pics, Your camp looks like you have some expedience. Wow, very “cool”

 

[MichaelMerry]

We got in late Friday and hiked out Sunday afternoon. Two nights!
Thanks for the kind words. We love to do this and spend a lot of time out there.

 

[snapper]

Looks like a wonderful trip. The majority of my winter overnights have been in tents. The only "open" shelters I've ever slept in have been lean-tos in the Adirondacks or Catskills of NYS. They're not bad unless the wind comes in from the open front. My guess is you have very good sleeping bags or there was little wind that night; maybe both!

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[MichaelMerry]

Looks like a wonderful trip. The majority of my winter overnights have been in tents. The only "open" shelters I've ever slept in have been lean-tos in the Adirondacks or Catskills of NYS. They're not bad unless the wind comes in from the open front. My guess is you have very good sleeping bags or there was little wind that night; maybe both!

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

If weather allows, we cowboy camp. We pitched the tarp for frost as the nights were incredibly still. The first night, we arrived to a brief, intense snow squall.

The only reason we ever really use a tent is to keep insects away. That is one of many reasons we love winter wilderness travel.

We do not mess around with low quality gear for winter time. Those are 0 degree sleeping bags with draft collars and zipper draft tubes and silk liners.

Also, quality sleeping pads including a foam pad under the thermarest neoair and vapor barrier ground cloth.