Do you enjoy the outdoors all year round?
Do you like to relax outside, just enjoy nature?
Well, winter is pretty cold, but it doesn’t have to stop your camping.
Set your mind at ease because it’s not as hard as you might think.
You will need to take some extra supplies, so I’ve made a checklist for you.
Here are some items you’ll want to consider taking on a cold-weather camping trip.
Table of Contents
Items To Take On A Cold Weather Camping Trip
There are some staple items for any camping trip, such as a tent, food, water, etc.
The following items are mainly for cold weather camping:
- Appropriate lower-limit temperature rating sleeping bag
- Foam closed-cell sleeping pad
- Avalanche transceiver
- Coupler strap (and a buddy)
- Wool-based or synthetic layers.
- Thick socks, gloves, and a cold-weather hat
- Wind-resistant and grooved tent stakes
- Highly-nutritious snacks
Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparing for Cold Weather Camping
Check out this video for 10 useful tips about camping in cold weather.
Step # 1 Check the Weather
Before you go, check the weather not only for the days you plan to be camping but for a few days prior and after.
Be aware of the weather for the area you’ll be staying in and at least a 20-mile radius of that area.
If a storm is nearby, there is a chance that it may change direction.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
So if there is a winter storm coming, do not go camping.
That’s the best way to stay safe.
However, if you’re like me, then you’ll want to be prepared for any situation.
Should you find yourself in a situation where you must camp in a winter storm, then try to have at least one other person with you.
Also, let others know of your whereabouts as well.
Additionally, if you find yourself in the middle of a winter storm, stay put!
Don’t try to travel on foot during a storm.
Check out my article on camping in a winter storm to learn more about being prepared for camping in a winter storm.
Step # 2 Layers
You’ll need to dress in layers to keep warm.
You should have at least three layers for your whole body.
The innermost layer should be warm and comfortable.
The second layer is for insulation. Down or synthetic insulation is best for insulation.
Although, keep in mind that down loses its effectiveness when it’s wet.
The third layer should be water and wind-resistant and provide more insulation.
There’s a rating to look for when purchasing camping gear for your winter camping trip.
This rating is called the R-value.
The R-value refers to the product’s conductivity.
For winter camping, you should have gear that is rated at least at 3R, but 5R would be the most ideal.
The goal is to keep body heat inside your clothes while preventing cold from entering them.
For more information about R-values, check out this article which goes into more depth about it.
Step # 3 Pack Other Winter Camping Gear
In addition to winter gear, you should also take extra clothes and supplies.
That is just in case your clothes or blankets get wet.
If your clothes or supplies become wet, R-value items may lose their effectiveness to keep you warm.
Step # 4 Take Plenty of Food and Water
Because of the chance of worst-case scenarios, like getting stranded in a storm, etc., you should make sure you’ve got more than enough food and water.
If you become stranded, you should keep yourself hydrated and full to have enough energy to produce body heat.
That is enough body heat to get you through until help arrives, or you can get to a safe place on your own.
Let Others Know Your Whereabouts and Expected Return Time
If you have friends with you, not only can you enjoy the outdoors with your loved ones and your friends, but you can help each other.
At the same time, you’ll have company if you would happen to get stranded.
Not to mention, having extra hands around to help carry essential items isn’t a bad idea either.
By alerting others of your whereabouts and your expected time of return, they’ll be able to send help if it’s needed.
You could also stop in at the closest ranger station to check current weather conditions and inform them that you’ll be camping nearby.
Depending on where you’ll be camping, taking an avalanche transceiver is another good idea.
If you’re in an area where avalanches can occur, an avalanche transceiver can save your life!
A rescuer will likely have a transceiver as well.
Then they’ll be able to locate you by connecting to your transceiver’s signal if you happen to get buried in an avalanche.
If you need to purchase an avalanche transceiver, you can find one here from Amazon.
How To Prepare For Cold Weather Camping On-Site
Set Up Your Tent and Sleeping Area
After you have found your camping site (somewhere reasonably dry, flat, and protected from the elements), set up your tent.
Setting up your tent and sleeping area first is easier than waiting until later to do it.
The ground is colder at night time, so it would be harder to manipulate the dirt, snow, and ice.
If there’s snow or ice under your tent and sleeping supplies, it’s harder for your body to keep warm.
Pro winter campers will dig out a small and shallow trench for their sleeping pad.
Doing this makes less space inside the tent, meaning there’s less space for your body to keep warm.
Flatten the area for your sleeping pad by kneeling and using your knees. Another to do this is by using your boots to flatten the ground to your preference.
Using a small shovel will make the process easier to manipulate the dirt and flatten it as well.
How Does Your Body Lose Heat?
Evaporation: You may lose body heat through evaporation. Increased respiration and wet, sweaty clothes can trigger a loss of body heat.
Radiation: The body naturally gives off or radiates heat. It can happen in temperatures as high as 68°F (20°C).
Most times in winter weather, temperatures can be much lower than 68°F (20°C).
Conduction: Sleeping on the cold ground causes conduction to occur.
Evaporation Solution: Maintain temperature comfortability.
You can always vent your sleeping bag for a few minutes if you become too hot.
Radiation Solution Reduce the ambient space inside your tent. You can store your things inside your tent to insulate it even more.
If you have less space in your tent, then you have less space to heat.
If you’re traveling with your significant other, you can connect your sleeping bags or purchase a bag that’s big enough for you both.
When you’re only camping with a friend, then using a coupler strap will also work to prevent radiation and keep you both warm.
Experts recommend also keeping a bottle filled with hot water inside your tent.
It can work like a sauna stone and give off some heat while you sleep. Use a stainless steel non-insulated water bottle.
Conduction Solution Use a foam closed-cell sleeping pad. If you need to purchase one, you can buy the Therm-a-Rest Ridgecrest SOLite Solar from here through Amazon.
This sleeping pad is lightweight and durable, so it can help you to keep warm with a 3.5 R rating.
Can I Curl Up in a Ball Inside my Sleeping Bag?
Yes, but keep an opening to breathe through.
Your clothes might get wet if there is condensation.
Condensation can develop from your breathing.
What Should I Do if There Are High Winds?
Experts recommend sleeping in shifts so that one person can ensure the tent stakes are still secure with high wind gusts.
Use grooved, wind-resistant stakes, and if possible, change the placement of the tent. Set up a tent with the smallest part of it facing the wind.