Winter offers a beauty that is at once spare but stunning. Often it's charm eludes us because we don't know where, or more frequently, how to look. Our excursions are usually too brief to grant the appreciation that comes from real familiarity. An afternoon skating or sledding, a day on the ski slopes may whet our appetite, but such relatively brief outings limit our appreciation of this environment. To be sure, it's not an environment that is terribly forgiving of ill preparation or ignorance. Calvin Rutstrum is a wonderful guide, not only offering his vast experience in practical matters, but enhancing our appreciation of the winter environment with his knowledge, his opinions (and has has definite opinions!) and his experiences. This should be in the library of every wilderness traveller who wishes to go on outings in the winter.

Needless to say, no single book is sufficient to turn a greenhorn into an experienced snow camper; but this is an excellent start. The language may at times reflect the times in which it was written, but Rutstrum offers solid experience; the stories alone are worth the read, even for those who don't anticipate ever sleeping in the wilderness in the snow. One caution; reading this book may prompt you to push beyond what you consider to be your comfort zone!

An interesting book to read even if you have no interest in winter camping or travel. Mr Rutstrum traveled most of his life in the Canadian wilderness on snowshoes or by dog sled. He tells many interesting stories about his dealings with the Cree, trappers, and hermits, I am assuming the time frame is the 40's through the 60's. I love to read how people used to live before the days of snowmobiles and plowed roads. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a sense of adventure, it is a true classic.

Well written, very informative. An excellent resource for anyone looking to construct their own cabin. A bit dated, but nothing you can't get around. Covers all the important concerns of construction, site layout, food storage, heating, plumbing, etc. An excellent read.

Originally written 20 years before GPS was even a concept, Rutstrum shows that determining and tracking your location in the wilderness using traditional methods is no mystical "black art", but can actually be easy and fascinating. The book covers map reading, route finding, detailed use of the compass, how to get "unlost", and an in-depth discussion on using a sextant to determine your position on land. While some of the information is a bit dated, if you are a traditionalist who enjoys heading off into the woods without relying on a "black box" to help you find your way (or if you want to find out what to do when your batteries die) then read this book! It belongs in every serious outdoorsman's backpack. My copy is 20 years old, and I cherish it!

A thorough explanation of the equipment and
techniques of winter camping before the advent
of synthetic "miracle" fibers and gore-tex™
While the style is at times boosterish, the
author covers the subject well while managing
to give warning of the dangers involved.

The style of camping discussed is still in use
in the far north among trappers and dog sledders
but as far as I have been able to determine, this
book is the *ONLY* detailed handbook of this
style of camping ever published.
Books on lightwieght winter backpacking abound
and several practical as well as travel memoir
style books on dog sledding are available,
however no other book so thoroughly covers the
mundane day to day techniques of living outdoors
at fourty degrees below zero in canvas tents.

Eloquent, thoughtful description of the elusive beauty and inherent worth of winter camping. Difficult to believe it's written by someone who dropped out of school in sixth grade! Rutstrum spent much of his life living with Indians, cowboys, lumberjacks and others whose lives depended on being able to function in double-digit-below-zero weather. He learned his lessons well: some of his procedures are used in Outward Bound courses in Minnesota's Boundary Waters. Even though I'm a walking popsicle, this book inspired me to start spending a lot more time outdoors in the winter. Thanks, Cal.

This book shows the very basics of navigation and covers map, compass and even finding your position with a sextant. Though the equipment shown is certainly outdated, most of the information is timeless (except the map section which could have been more thorough and UTM Grids are not mentioned). As a casual navigator I liked the book but if you have serious needs for navigation skills there are better and modern books available.