Cold Weather Camping Tips

COLD WEATHER/WINTER CAMPING TIPS SAdriance & Rrose – updated ‘12 Before the trip-make sure: ● Two pairs of polypro long underwear-one to sleep in, one to walk in ● Lots of socks ● Warm hats, gloves, raingear…all are essential ● Water proof boots ● Extra plastic bags…some smaller ones for your feet (see below) ● Gaiters if you have them..if not, we can make them Sleeping Warm & Toasty and Other Bedtime Tips ● Tarps-pay attention to wind direction-don’t want it going under the end of tarp. Set the tarp up at a 90 degree angle from the prevailing wind ● If it’s cold or rainy-put up two tarps and split group up so that everyone is well under the tarp…put people with warmest bags on the outside ends ● Eat and drink before you go to bed. Sugars heat you up fast then your body drops below what is was originally –go for proteins or a protein bar. ● Make sure that you have dry clothes on before going to bed ● Fill a Nalgene with hot water or put a hand warmer heat pack (in a sock) at the foot of your sleeping bag before getting into it. You can also dry out socks by putting them over your Nalgene with hot water at the foot of your sleeping bag ● Do some sit ups in your bag just before you go to bed…goal is to heat up bag ● Wear a clean/dry hat or balaclava, put something warm around your neck – a fleece band (for neck/ears) warmer is great, dry socks, at least one layer of Poly….keep extra layer nearby..don’t break a sweat. ● Wear a clean/dry hat or balaclava while your sleep and 2 pairs of clean socks that are only used when sleeping or 1 pair of booties ● Go to the bathroom before you go to bed. If you have to pee…get up and do it…you will get cold if you hold it ● You can dry out some damp socks or poly in your bag…at bottom of bag, under Your arms or between your legs…but if they are making you cold…get rid of it ● Do not place your head inside the sleeping bag as this will cause moisture from your breath will get stuck in your bag. Perspiration and breath condense in the tent at night and the water will reduce insulating properties of your bag ● Remember to air out/dry out your sleeping bag and tent when weather permits ● Keep the bag in a stuff sack until you are ready to bed down, this will keep moisture in the air from finding a place on or in your bag ● Fluff out your sleeping bag before your get into it to increase the insulating characteristics ● Remove the clothes you are wearing before bedding down if they are damp with perspiration. You can lay this on top of you inside the bag to help them dry out. ● Before you get out of bed bring the clothes you plan to wear inside your bag and warm them up some before dressing ● Insulation under you is the key to enjoying a warm winter night: o first layer on the ground should be a plastic ground cloth to keep moisture from the cold ground from coming in contact with and ultimately penetrating your sleeping bag o On top of the pad, layout a folded wool blanket, your clothes for the next day or bring an extra sleeping pad to add extra insulation from the cold ground, (decrease your conductive heat loss). ● Bivy Sack -- this is an overbag that adds warmth rating to your bag. ● Sleeping Bag liner – similar to the bivy sack, but is used inside your bag to help keep the heat you generate close to you (like sheets on a bed). This adds warmth rating to your bag. Cooking Tips (some of these are winter camping tips) ● Cooking inside a tent can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning –ventilation is critical. Set up a cooking tarp with good ventilation. ● Winter Camping needs twice the caloric intake and be extra sure to stay hydrated. Dehydration makes a person susceptible to hypothermia ● Fill the Pots at night and have your breakfast stuff organized for the morning ● If you are in below freezing conditions, precut Cheese and butter into bite size chunks during pre-trip preparations. ● Condensation will form on a tarp interior walls, unless you keep the tent ventilated ● Have your tarp face the morning sun to help it dry out in the morning ● Set the tarp up at a 90 degree angle from the prevailing wind When Hiking ● Don’t sweat it…literally…don’t want to break a sweat-regulate body temp. ● Try to keep your feet dry…liner socks, heavier socks, vapor barrier if it’s really Wet…like use a plastic bag over your socks inside your boots ● Gaiters-home made…duck tape your rain pants onto your boots so wet doesn’t get inside your boots from the top down-this may mean that you will get hot…try as best as you can to regulate this ● Watch out for wet feet..not only will you get cold..ripe for blisters! ● If going through a lot of snow…let the people with best gear go first .

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