Last week, before we featured a book about camping during the winter months, there was a bit of interoffice debate about whether anybody around here would actually do that.

Having done time in Minnesota over 10 winters, I became acquainted with a number of folks who couldn't wait for the first snows and subfreezing (even subzero) weather systems. They had new tents, synthetic longjohns and sleeping bags guaranteed to umpteen-below.

Convinced cold camping happens here, too, I made a little call out to readers at the bottom of Bee writer Allen Pierleoni's piece on "The Winter Camping Handbook" (Countryman, $16.95, 224 pages). Among the responders were three gents who can't wait for the first snows to blanket their woodsy retreats.

I rest my semi-frozen case:

Norm Smith of Rocklin

I love snow camping. I try to go at least once a year.

If I go with a friend of mine we will go up on a Sunday and come back Tuesday. We are typically out there for two nights.

We have been to Castle Valley. Up Wright's Lake Road as far as we can go, and to Loon Lake. Loon Lake is by far the best. No motorized off-road vehicles allowed, so you are going to encounter only snowshoers and cross- country skiers.

One of the best things about snow camping is you don't have to go very far to be out there by yourself. At Loon Lake I have a favorite spot I like to go to, which is about a mile from the car. We pack all our stuff in by backpack and on a pulk. We bring enough stuff to keep us comfortable no matter what the weather is. That includes a four-season tent, extra foam pads to line the bottom of the tent, winter sleeping bags and lots of extra clothing.

We have at least one gas stove with us. If it is up to me to cook, then we have (one pot) freeze-dried meals. If a friend of mine goes, then he cooks with fresh ingredients, which is fine with me. I am looking forward to going up this winter. Like everyone, I'm waiting for snow.

Ted Lenzie of Folsom

My wife and I camp a few times a year in the local Sierra off Carson Pass, Loon Lake and Yosemite.

We normally tent camp, which is colder than a snow cave, but it isn't as wet with the snow and building the cave. The tent sets up fast and is dry as long as we don't drag snow in.

Most of our trips are planned around the weather, snow conditions and aesthetic value of the area and the time of year. We have done the middle-of-winter trips, but it is a long night when it gets dark at 4:30 p.m. and sunrise is at 7:30 a.m. – that is, if there isn't a mountain in the way.

March is nice with the warmer temps and longer days. Snow camping is fantastic at night, with the clear, cold skies. The stars are amazing. Sometime we plan the trip at full moon, and with the reflection of moonlight on the snow, lights are rarely needed.

Oh yes, and a four-season tent is a must. I have seen three-season tents in storms. It looks like a miserable way to spend the night.

So, even after the gear is packed up and it is time to head out, there is always the challenge of navigating out of the wilderness. I recommend parking your car so it is easy to dig out and drive out. It is no fun to come back to a stuck car after a long night in a storm.

Jim Muller of upstate New York

I would like to recommend a winter camping Web site, www. wintercampers.com. The not-for-profit site is dedicated to winter camping and has a large collection of published articles on winter camping, tips, gear and videos, leave-no-trace suggestions.

In addition there is an active blog as well as humor including a winter camping application, poem, quotes and top 10 reasons to go winter camping.