Next weekend we head up north to do some winter camping and knock off the rest of our winter to-do’s from our dwindling to-do list; we still have to snow shoe, dog sled, skate on a lake, build an ice sculpture, and cross country ski. (We’re starting off 2013 ambitiously.)

It’s funny because I used to hate the snow. I couldn’t stand the stuff. I hated my socks falling off my ankles and bunching in my boots. I hated getting snow up my arm sleeves. Mostly, I just hated being cold all the time. It took me years to realize that the reason I was cold all the time was because I never wore a real winter jacket or winter hat. (The psychotic things we do for fashion.)

Having the right gear can make or break an outdoor experience. Camping teaches you this. If you’re well prepared, weather should never deter you from having a good time. If it rains, throw on your rain paints. If it snows, add some more layers. If it gets hot, take some off.

This here winter picnic (with our friends Holly, D & Z) was perfect practice for next weekend’s trip. With the right gear, some soup, some coco, some protein leftovers, and a stove, we had everything we needed to withstand and enjoy the snow.