Customer Reviews

Paradise Below Zero: The Classic Guide to Winter Camping (Fesler-Lampert Minnesota Heritage)

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Winter offers a beauty that is at once spare but stunning. Often it's charm eludes us because we don't know where, or more frequently, how to look. Our excursions are usually too brief to grant the appreciation that comes from real familiarity. An afternoon skating or sledding, a day on the ski slopes may whet our appetite, but such relatively brief outings limit our appreciation of this environment. To be sure, it's not an environment that is terribly forgiving of ill preparation or ignorance. Calvin Rutstrum is a wonderful guide, not only offering his vast experience in practical matters, but enhancing our appreciation of the winter environment with his knowledge, his opinions (and has has definite opinions!) and his experiences. This should be in the library of every wilderness traveller who wishes to go on outings in the winter.

Needless to say, no single book is sufficient to turn a greenhorn into an experienced snow camper; but this is an excellent start. The language may at times reflect the times in which it was written, but Rutstrum offers solid experience; the stories alone are worth the read, even for those who don't anticipate ever sleeping in the wilderness in the snow. One caution; reading this book may prompt you to push beyond what you consider to be your comfort zone!

An interesting book to read even if you have no interest in winter camping or travel. Mr Rutstrum traveled most of his life in the Canadian wilderness on snowshoes or by dog sled. He tells many interesting stories about his dealings with the Cree, trappers, and hermits, I am assuming the time frame is the 40's through the 60's. I love to read how people used to live before the days of snowmobiles and plowed roads. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a sense of adventure, it is a true classic.

Reading the book is a bit like wading through thick brush at times, though there is plenty of good solid information in it. The author gets long-winded and preachy at times, but the overall value of the book makes it worthwhile. Not all the good information is laid out in a linear fashion. One often has to dig and think about what's being said to uncover the gems in the ramblings. I found I liked that. A bit more fun than a "winter camping for dummies" book. If you're a "dummy" you might consider a different book.

I always enjoy Calvin's books as they peer into the yesteryear and give me a look at how things used to be and soemthing to compare them to now. I find them informative and it gives a really unique perspective from someone who was "there" when the old country was truly old. The information is enjoyable too as it holds value even in today's high tech days.