About Us

Our Origins
Early communication among members was facilitated by email.  It was during a February 1996 email exchange that Mark Hay
and Jim Muller arrived at a group moniker
Executive Recreational Outing Team Involvement Committee or E.R.O.T.I.C.
Since the inception as E.R.O.T.I.C. Web Master Mark Hay has evolved the WinterCampers.com web site to serve as a
communication mechanism to plan and document trips as well as to provide information to further our winter camping charter.
What We Believe
It’s the journey, not the destination.       While “peak bagging” has it’s place, we strive to enjoy our time in the woods.
Some of our most  memorable trips did not achieve the targeted destination.
6 P’s (Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance).  We have found that frequent communication among the
dispersed members is essential to avoid mix-ups that can threaten the success of a trip.
The Jamboree Spirit.  We have mutated the boy scout theme to encompass the notion of teamwork and individual
sacrifice for the good of  the team experience.
Leave No Trace ( http://www.lnt.org/ ).  We endorse and strive to embody the six  LNT principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize  Campfire Impacts
Respect  Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitor
Our Members
Click the above link to see our current members
Awards
Sightings and in the news
The Utica OD also ran another article in January of 2005 written by Jim Muller
titled “Winter Camping, A Liberating Experience For Those Willing To
Brave The Elements.”
The article provides some tips and insight into a successful winter camping
experience.  You can view the article here.
WinterCampers.com has recently been profiled in the USA Today!!!
The newspaper runs a daily “hot sites” section and WinterCampers.com was
profiled on Monday February 21st 2005.
Here is what they had to say….
Enter the world of outdoor enthusiasts that would rather battle sub-zero
temperatures than mosquitoes. Wintercampers.com chronicles the travels of
these too-cool adventurers, with logs and photos of their winter camping
trips. The site has gear reviews and features ideas (such as cooking meals
in a zip-lock bag), a camping application for entry into the group and a
funny winter camping poem. Informative and humorous, you’ll be
motivated either for an adventure or a good laugh.”
WinterCampers.com claims it origin as a January 1995 overnight camping trip at NYS Adirondack Park Johns Pond taken by
Founders Matthew Hay and Jim Muller.  Although individuals had experienced summer time and some winter camping prior to
this event – this event launched the practice of frequent and regular camping trips with the intent of broadening our winter
camping experience and introducing new participants to the pleasures of winter camping.
We endorse and strive to achieve the following principles:
Our very own Uncle Jim Muller had his Winter Camping Poem titled “I am not
going to lie to you”
published in the Go! Outdoors section of the Utica
Observer-Dispatch
on March 28th 2003.  Here is the link.
Our gear review of our 8-man tipi is being profiled on the Kifaru Company
Website in their feedback section.  The link to that page can be found here.
The Utica OD just picked up another story written by our very own Uncle Jim
Muller.  The article titled “When weather is frightful, winter campers are
delighted”
was featured in the December 1st 2006 edition in the Go! Outdoors
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