Camping in the winter can be pleasant but it requires a bit more planning then warm weather camping would due to the extreme coldness and probable wet weather due to snow, rain or sleet. Some important information is necessary to have a safe and enjoyable experience. The following is some information that is imperative for camping in the winter or cold weather climates.
Preparation is key, your basics are as usual for any camping or survival situation. Shelter, food, water clothing, however, during the winter more preparation has to go into these key items.
- Water: The use of water bottles is more ideal than hydration bladders during cold weather because they are difficult to keep from freezing so pack water bottles instead. Store bottles upside down because the surface water freezes first leaving the top easier to open and retrieve water from.
- Layers: Layering of upper body clothing keeps your body temperature regulated. Begin with a base layer or a light skin-tight layer (thermals); follow with a sweater or a fleece; a down filled (insulated) jacket or coat; and lastly a hard shell jacket to break the wind preferably with a hood to protect from rain. This system of layering can also be followed for legs with two or three layers most snow or cold weather pants will have insulation or a lining followed by a hard shell, so that and a thermal layer is sufficient. Thick cold weather hiking socks and insulated boots are necessary because frost bite is easy to occur on toes. When packing keep your down jacket near the top of your pack for easy access during rest stops when hiking. It may get too hot to hike or do camp chores (like chopping firewood) to wear the down coat and you do not want to sweat in freezing weather.
- Sleeping bag: You will need to purchase a warm weather sleeping bag for the cold. Depending on where you plan on camping I would recommend a mummy style sleeping bag preferably that is for below zero weather. Pack your bag in a water proof sack (compression sack or a touch black garbage bag with waterproof down). If this gets wet in the snow or rain it is your best protection against hypothermia and without a water proof sack you’re looking for disaster to strike.
- Food: Snacks should be kept in your jacket or pants pocket for easy access. If kept next to torso the body heat will keep them from freezing. Always good to use a bear resistant canister for main meals.
- Traveling: As always plan your path carefully! Avoid climbing 3–45 degree slopes in the snow. Avoid ice and watch for branches or rocks that are under the snow that could trip you. Use a walking stick or trekkers. If you are planning on hiking in heavy snow shoes are your best bet for easy travel and in some parks it is required.
- Cooking: To use snow as a water source it takes up to about 10 cups of snow to melt into 1 cup of drinkable water. You’ll need up to a gallon of water per person a day to stay hydrated. Gather dense snow in a large compactor bag and put about an inch of water in the pot so debris in snow won’t burn and make the water taste burnt or ruin the pot. Add snow slowly. Cook out of the wind. Get your fire very hot as it may take longer than usual to cook foods in cold and freezing weather. Remember you will need about three times as much firewood as you might in the summer if you are planning to use the fire to stay warm and cook. After dinner take a night hike (not far from the campsite) that way you’ll go to bed warmer from exercise and sleep better.
- Campsite: Find a site where no trees that look like the snow is weighing them down too much or has dead branches over hanging which could fall on your tent or campsite and seriously injure or kill someone. Frozen sap and snow are more liable to snap branches. Pack down a trail to use the bathroom to a sheltered area about 150 to 200 yards away from your campsite, water and main trails. Stomp out a level platform in the snow (use wood or bark to make flat) let sit for about an hour before pitching the tent so that the snow can become more solid, and pitch the tent with the door facing downhill or away from the wind. Build snow walls around the tent to block the wind. Insulate against the cold ground by placing a pad (inflatable or foam or both) first before laying out your sleeping bag. At least an hour before sleeping shake out the sleeping bag in order to loosen the down insulation inside. It is best to sleep in just base layers and a hat. The bag should heat up sufficiently with your body heat. Fill a bottle with hot water and put in the foot of your sleeping bag to keep your feet warm at night. Make sure to use the bathroom before bed. you won’t want to get up in the cold to relieve yourself, you may also want to keep a pee bottle in the tent just so you won’t have to go back out in the cold.
I hope this information proves to assist you in your winter adventures. Stay safe everyone and keep watching nyweekendwarrior for more information on winter adventures.