Christian O'Gorman's house had just burnt down and his truck was about to be stolen when he decided to leave home and venture into British Columbia's Stein Valley for a winter camping trip.
It was February 2003.
Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose.
"I'd hiked and camped the Stein in the other three seasons and always loved it so I thought I'd give it a shot," he said.
Cabby Chris (as he's known by locals) was no stranger to the cold white stuff.
He experienced the unwelcome guest on spring camping trips, fall camping trips and even summer camping trips in the alpine, not to mention his two winters living in a teepee.
He felt it was time to take this fleeting relationship to another level.
Chris and his three traveling companions hiked six hours up the Stein River and set up a base camp.
"We chose a sheltered spot under some cedar trees and stamped out a flat spot in the snow for our tent.
" But how did this bush man stay warm, I ask you? "I got a cooking pot and dug out the snow down to the dirt for a fire pit.
We gathered dead standing branches for the fire and set up benches, "said Chris, "I heated up some water and filled my water bottle with it.
Then I threw it in my sleeping bag in my tent, for a half hour before I jumped in.
I was toastier than a grilled cheese sandwich.
" Winter Camping Tips 1.
Take an avalanche course.
2.
Research the snow conditions (shallow or deep, powder, packed, breakable crust, variable..
..
).
3.
Consider buying snowshoes, back-country skis or gators, and hiking boots.
4.
Layer your clothing.
5.
Have a warm enough sleeping bag for the conditions and store it in a waterproof bag.
6.
Bring an insulated sleeping pad.
7.
Bring a camping stove in case fires are difficult or impossible.
8.
Don't eat snow! Melt it first by boiling for at least 10 minutes.
This saves your body from using energy to melt the snow, and also rids the water of potential bacteria.
9.
Be aware of ice covered in snow on the ground (i.
e.
rivers, ponds, lakes..
..
).
10.
Always carry a first-aid kit.
It was February 2003.
Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose.
"I'd hiked and camped the Stein in the other three seasons and always loved it so I thought I'd give it a shot," he said.
Cabby Chris (as he's known by locals) was no stranger to the cold white stuff.
He experienced the unwelcome guest on spring camping trips, fall camping trips and even summer camping trips in the alpine, not to mention his two winters living in a teepee.
He felt it was time to take this fleeting relationship to another level.
Chris and his three traveling companions hiked six hours up the Stein River and set up a base camp.
"We chose a sheltered spot under some cedar trees and stamped out a flat spot in the snow for our tent.
" But how did this bush man stay warm, I ask you? "I got a cooking pot and dug out the snow down to the dirt for a fire pit.
We gathered dead standing branches for the fire and set up benches, "said Chris, "I heated up some water and filled my water bottle with it.
Then I threw it in my sleeping bag in my tent, for a half hour before I jumped in.
I was toastier than a grilled cheese sandwich.
" Winter Camping Tips 1.
Take an avalanche course.
2.
Research the snow conditions (shallow or deep, powder, packed, breakable crust, variable..
..
).
3.
Consider buying snowshoes, back-country skis or gators, and hiking boots.
4.
Layer your clothing.
5.
Have a warm enough sleeping bag for the conditions and store it in a waterproof bag.
6.
Bring an insulated sleeping pad.
7.
Bring a camping stove in case fires are difficult or impossible.
8.
Don't eat snow! Melt it first by boiling for at least 10 minutes.
This saves your body from using energy to melt the snow, and also rids the water of potential bacteria.
9.
Be aware of ice covered in snow on the ground (i.
e.
rivers, ponds, lakes..
..
).
10.
Always carry a first-aid kit.