I’ve always found camping to be one of those great activities to help ease and relax the mind, while enjoying nature and Earth’s beauty. Now while I prefer to camp in the Spring or Fall, sometimes I just want to pack up and head out to the wilderness, even in the Wintertime.
Now whether you are camping with a group or solo, your safety, especially in frigid temperatures, should be your main focus and top concern. Not only must you be completely aware of your surroundings, but please remember to take extra precautions in Winter condition. Here are some tips to keep in mind when preparing to take a winter camping trip:
Tips for Winter Camping
It’s okay to reduce your plan. If you are like me, you’ll want to fit in as much as possible in each trip. Please remember that in the wintertime, your travel will be slower and the daylight hours are shorter. Reduce to your mileage goal, and don’t try to push it.
Dress in layers and bring those extra gloves and hats. Dressing in layers is an easy way to not only adjust your clothing situation, but also to help regulate your body temperature and moisture. Go with a liner layer, an insulation layer, and then a water-proof outer layer. AVOID COTTON! It doesn’t matter how careful you are, hats and gloves can easily be lost. Bring back up! It doesn’t hurt to keep a couple of inexpensive hats and gloves in your pack for when your good pairs go missing.
Not too tight! Don’t tie the laces to your boots too tie. This can constrict the blood flow to your feet. Same with your gloves, especially if they have liners. Constricting blood flow won’t allow your hands and feet to warm up properly. You may want to skip those extra pairs of socks too.
Grab those Hand and Toes Warmers! Make sure you purchase those Hand Warmers and Toe Warmers packs you see at sporting goods and outdoor gear stores. These gel packs work wonders and are great way to keep your hand and feet warm without constricting any blood flow you may experience in layering socks and gloves.
Drink, drink, drink, and keep drinking water. The dry air of winter will dehydrate you quicker. You may not notice until it is too late. Even if you don’t think you are thirsty, still drink that water!
Need water? Boil snow! Go ahead and leave your filters at home. Your filter may crack in the wintertime anyway, and sometimes those chemical filters take forever! Boiling snow is probably going to be your best bet.
Don’t forget the Vaseline! You should try to cover any exposed skin with Vaseline. Yes, this means on your face, ears, neck, wrists, etc. When covering your skin with Vaseline, it will be less prone to frostbite and windburn.
I’m not an expert. This is simply 100% my own opinion. Camp at your own risk! Photo image provided by Steve Ackerman for article use.
This is awesome! We love to go camping in the winter!!
With the temperatures outside I get cold even thinking about camping LOL
I never thought about using vaseline to protect exposed areas. Great tip! I won’t be going camping in the winter on my own free will though. :-)
Wow. You are so brave! Winter camping is not for me, but it does sound like fun!
My cousin lives in Alaska and she does all kinds of mountaineering. She hikes in tough areas with crampons, climbing gear, the works, and camps in cold, ice, snow. I can’t even imagine!
We are relatively new to camping and I’ll admit – I’ve never even thought about camping in the snow! I have a brother-in-law, however, who loves it!
I could not imagine going camping in the winter. However, my family disagrees with my outlook! Great post.
Good set of tips! Don’t forget to bring a lighter or matches to build a nice big fire!! :)
I have never camped in the wintertime, but have always wanted to give it a try. Thanks for allowing me to share this post on my Camping Round-Up.