How to suck less and be more better at…. is a monthly series designed to help facilitate ongoing peer learning. Speakers are volunteers who feel somewhat knowledgeable and are willing to help others achieve basic knowledge in an area- they are by no means experts, and may in fact not be the most knowledgeable person in attendance. The goal is to help improve the knowledge and skill level of all members who participate on mountain trips through regular skill updates. DIscussion and participant input is welcomed during sessions.

Both Mike and Rebecca have extensive experience living inside a snow drift, from a single night, to weeks out in the frozen wilderness. They have learned many tips and tricks over the years, from both a male and female perspective, that will be useful for ACC members of all experience levels.

This seminar will consist of one classroom session to go through standard back-country winter camping strategy (focused on rank beginners), followed by a weekend of real winter camping where an “easy” objective will be attempted. This isn't going to be wussy winter camping, steps from your car, but wilderness camping 5+km from the road (also because Parks tell us that we have to).

Probable topics that will be discussed are:

• How to stay dry and how to dry things out when you fail to stay dry
• Useful equipment and clothes. Ways to minimize weight because your bag is going to weigh a ton.
• Stoves, fuel, water and your kitchen
• How to stay warm. This is a bad joke, you’ll freeze your ass off, but maybe there are ways you might be a little less cold.
• Shelters, snow walls

Accessible by train, bike or walking! Parking is also available.