After camping for so many year straight, I've been trying to figure out new and unique ways to get out – particularly in the winter when there are fewer parking options and travel is more difficult. This led me to going out on my first hut trip! Hut is a generous word to give to a 5'x8' hunting blind left illegally in the woods on public land in the Ottawa National Forest. Either way, I found this hunting blind a couple of years prior and thought it'd be fun to stay in on a blustery night in the Trap Hills, so I did.

I brought along a few candles and sterno stoves to generate some heat and light for myself. The 1" foam insulation helped trap the heat a little, as did the feet of extra snow I piled around the shelter to block the wind and cold. It mostly helped, and for much of my time there I was fairly comfortable. It was easily 20°F warmer inside than out! Having chairs to chill in while reading my book helped too.

The next day I ventured out to enjoy some views before hiking out. Proof of concept: check! Next time I'll have to stop out here in a proper blizzard and test out its capabilities.