Why I Had to Abandon My Crater Lake Winter Camp at Night

Things didn't go as planned on my solo backcountry winter camping trip at Crater Lake National Park. What started as a beautiful, sunny snowshoe trek turned into a late night exit and a valuable reminder about winter survival.

In this video, I’m sharing the beauty of a blue sky, sunny backcountry day at Crater Lake, 3 "classic blunders" of winter camping and adventures I made while breaking trail in deep snow and why I ultimately decided to pack up camp in the middle of the night to hike 3.5 miles back to my car.

📍 In This Video:
Breaking Trail: The reality of being the first person to snowshoe past the Rim Village lodge after fresh snow.

The Mistakes: Why water bottles, under-fueling my body, and misjudging conditions led to trouble.

Night Hiking: Retracing my tracks under a crystal-clear Oregon night sky full of stars and crisp winter moonlight.

Safety First: Why I called the after-hours ranger and how it helped me make the right call.

Crater Lake is one of the most beautiful places in the world during the winter, but it demands respect. Whether you're planning to snowshoe the full 33-mile rim or just looking for a quick overnight trip, I hope my experience helps you stay safe and fueled on your next adventure!

🕒 Timestamps:
0:10 - The drive in - Diamond Lake to Crater Lake Visitor Center
0:31 - The Plan!
1:09 - Getting Backcountry Permits
1:57 - Raven Trail to the Rim from the Visitors Center
3:03 - Almost to the rim!
3:11 - First lake views!
4:07 - Crater Lake Lodge
4:34 - Snowshoeing through Rim Village
6:15 - Starting around West Rim Ski Route on Rim Drive
6:36 - Migraine attack :(
7:07 - Breaking trail
8:04 - Discovery Point views
8:31 - Check in before bed
8:51 - Deciding to bail and pack up at night
9:10 - Snowshoeing out in the dark
9:23 - Debrief - The mistakes I made
9:37 - Hydration - 3 mistakes
10:36 - Proper diet and fueling mistakes
10:54 - Conditions preparation mistakes
11:47 - The positives of snowshoeing at night

🎒 Resources & Gear:
Permits: A free backcountry permit is required. There are regulation around where you can and can't camp. And, be sure to talk to the rangers about known areas with avalanche risk. Check the Crater Lake National Park website for winter backcountry regulations.

Safety: Always carry a Garmin InReach or similar satellite communicator. I had 1 bar of cell service where I camped, but I wasn't in cell range the whole trip. Let other's know where you're going, and if at any point you don't feel comfortable, turn around or call for help.

Coming Next: I’m returning in the spring to attempt the full 33-mile rim trek!

Are you a winter camper? What’s the one piece of gear you never leave behind? Let me know in the comments! 👇

Gear: MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes, Jet Boil Stove, Peak Refuel dehydrated meals, Black Diamond trekking poles & snow baskets, OR Gloves, OR and REI jackets, Patagonia long underwear, Darn Tuff socks, Danner Crag Rat EVO boots, OR Gaiters

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