3 Days Solo Winter Camping - deep snow, no tent, below -20°C

2 nights out in the woods and some seriously difficult snowshoeing and cold weather in Ontario, Canada. The first-day temp was around -12C and dropped to -20C overnight, by far the coldest I have ever experienced sleeping outside. My tarp shelter worked against me this night, an experience I will never forget.

The second night stayed around -9C through the night with light snow so I went without my tarp, a beautiful relaxed evening beneath the stars.

Instagram: @XanderBudnick

My Camera Gear:

Camping Gear:
Winter Sleeping Bag - Mec Talon -10
Summer Sleeping Bag - Mec Talon +5
Sleeping Bag Liner - Sea to Summit Fleece liner
Sleeping Pad - Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra
Sleeping Mat - Nemo Switchback
Axe - Grandfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe
Frying Pan - GSI glacier frying pan
Backpack - Gregory Baltoro 75L

------ Commonly asked questions: ------

Why are you cutting down trees?
The trees I cut down are all dead, trees that die and remain standing dry out and prevent rain and moisture from saturating the wood so it makes great firewood.
Live trees contain a lot of moisture and don't burn, I also love trees and I don't cut down live trees

If you are alone who's filming?

Are you scared of wild animals?
Bears are Hibernating over winter and wolves aren't an issue in this area, so no

-20C wheres your jacket?
The first-day temp was around -12C and dropped to -20C overnight. Pulling the sled sawing/chopping wood and working hard creates a lot of sweat. If I sweat it will eventually freeze which is bad news so when I'm working I wear a long sleeve a small sweater than a big wool sweater which is on the cooler side but prevents sweating and is perfect for the conditions.

Spoon? Why not Chopsticks?
I ate oatmeal, soup and rice not shown in the video, the sausage spoon thing was a joke :p Yes, chopsticks would work better and are easier for sausage, and yes I am proficient with chopsticks :p

What's with the Poo?
It was some animal Scat I found, I was curious and I didn't recognize it, was hoping someone would point out what animal it was. Its likely Fox scat

[XanderBudnick]

Most asked questions:
(1) Why are you cutting down trees?
(2) If you are alone who's filming?
(3) -20C wheres your jacket and gloves?
(4) Are you scared of wild animals?
(5) Spoon? Why not Chopsticks?
(6) Why?

(1) The trees I cut down are all dead, trees that die and remain standing dry out and prevent rain and moisture from saturating the wood so it makes great firewood.
Live trees contain a lot of moisture and don't burn, I also love trees and I don't cut down live trees.


(3) The first-day temp was around -12C and dropped to -20C overnight. The second day hovered around -10C. Pulling the sled sawing/chopping wood and working hard creates a lot of sweat. If I sweat it will eventually freeze which is bad news so when I'm working I wear a long sleeve a small sweater than a big wool sweater which is on the cooler side but prevents sweating and is perfect for the conditions. I wear gloves here and there when needed, my hands are usually pretty cold and numb but easier to use than wearing gloves.

(4) Bears are Hibernating over winter and wolves aren't an issue in this area, so no

(5) I ate oatmeal, soup and rice not shown in the video, the sausage spoon thing was a joke :p Yes, chopsticks would work better and are easier for sausage, and yes I am proficient with chopsticks :p

(6) Winter is beautiful, camping is fun, adventure is rewarding

Have a nice day

[mansi]

Let’s appreciate how he managed to do all of that in a -20 weather while recording from multiple angles, and alone.

[gcruishank]

You have my utmost respect. I’m 58 and did a winter camping trip into the interior of BC, Canada about 3 weeks ago. I drove up a logging road and had to park at the start of a steep side road because the snow was too deep. 4x4 got stuck and had to dig it out. I had to use snowshoes and a pulk to haul all my gear up the road about 200 meters, on 4 trips. I started this hauling around 4:30pm. After that, having to keep a fire going to keep my dog and me warm (got down to -18C at night) and all the setting up, I finally managed to get to sleep at 1:40am. I can’t remember ever being that tired 😴. Snow was at least 3 to 4 feet deep (the fire made a hole 3 feet down) So stayed two nights and headed home. It was a great experience and will do it again. Wife thinks I’m crazy. Sure makes you appreciate a warm shower.

[CrowCowz]

Can’t imagine what it’s like to sleep out in nature, let alone in a snowy terrain. Never been camping before but man this looks worth it.

[rgwernert]

The way it should be, NO MUSIC, just natural sounds. Thank you for that.

[GeorgeZimmermen]

Just knowing he had to set up the camera for those shots, walk, then turn around and do it again is the best psrt

[nemo]

I love that snow on the face: alone in a mountain hut high in the Pyrenees, the drifts higher than the windows, toasty in a down bag, listening to music as the finest snow found its way in to land on the tiny bit of face exposed. Truly sublime. The fact I may not have been 100% sober probably helps the memory too!

[WhiskeyCrack]

So glad to see all the success and exposure this video has had Xander. Keep'em coming!

[kevindick]

Used to do this when I was in my early 20s on my land in Kentucky. Most peaceful weekends ever. Then I got married. 🤦‍♂️

[amirriddle]

I think he would be surprised at how many people would watch this footage unedited and have it on in the background

[powerdrivennn]

This is probably one of the things every man wants to do at least once in their lifetime. Thank you for your effort.

[thames_music]

I'm from the south, where we see snow maybe once every 3 years. Xander, you have inspired me to get off my ass and experience nature as it was intended, raw and unfiltered. I will try desperately to do as you do, to live and exist in nature without any help from the outside world. Hopfully soon I can live this dream. God speed and thank you for these amazing videos, we all love you

[killeguy]

Once again youtube gave something i didnt search and i still watch it

[yanihani]

Does anyone else just feel like they are at peace when watching the fire at night

[phaarqueue]

Wow!! Kia ora from New Zealand. What an awesome clip ! Balls of steel to do what you do, Iparticularly like the end where you point out and emphasise the fact that even though the setting looked very relaxing and serene, it was still a hard slog. The cold, the fatigue, the snow on you during your slumber is so nice to watch from the comfort of a cosy home. Even giving thanks to the universe(God) was a nice touch. Thanks ....Jah Bless.

[sofiamarth]

I was feeling really really down today thank you for making me feel better ❤️❤️so relaxing to watch

[lifezap]

There is something just so peaceful about this

[AP-qusl]

YouTube recommendations are the 8th wonder of the world

[JimmyJimmyEnglish]

The sound of good bacon crackling & frazzling always brings me great joy!

[yourenotthatguypal]

Praise God for these natural systems of camping. Lighting fires, cooking, staying warm, collecting very necessary fire wood. All of these things feel so good to accomplish, especially when it's a challenge. I'm watching this video from New Zealand and honestly mate, it looks so chill. Makes me want to go camping tomorrow! God bless you brother!