Winter Camping 101: How to Stay Warm and Safe in Cold Weather

Winter camping can be extremely fun, especially if you like the cold, but it’s important to stay warm while out in the cold.

The beauty of a world at peace is experienced the most when you head into the wilderness during the coldest time of the year. Once your tent is pitched and you’ve set up camp, there’s no escaping the cold temperatures and the challenges that come with being outside exposed to the elements during this harsh season. Still, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as enjoying a winter campout that gives you an unforgettable experience.

Here are a few winter camping tips to help you stay warm and safe when the temperatures drop.

Layers are a must

You need to regulate your body temperature and that means having layers on that will help keep your body heat enclosed in your clothing. You want to avoid being so warm that you sweat, because it can make you cold s it dries, which can be problematic. Make sure you have enough layers to add or subtract as needed to give you the warmth desired.

Change your clothes

Change your socks at night and make sure your feet are dry when you put on new socks. Your base layer should be changed at night and you should have a towel to dry off any sweat on your body before getting into dry clothing. You’ll need a base layer for every night you’re camping, or a method to dry your base layer from the day before. One of the most important winter camping things to remember is to stay dry. Moisture is your enemy in the cold wilderness of winter.

Sleeping requires layering too

Your sleeping bag might be rated for below zero degrees, but that doesn’t mean it will be enough for you. One of the most important things to do during winter camping is to layer your sleeping system. Some people will add blankets and extra ground insulation to stay warmer overnight. Amazingly, if your sleeping bag is warm enough, you can strip down and let your body heat keep you warm at night.

Hot water bottle in the right place

Heat radiates through your body from the core and central areas to your extremities. Although some experts suggest placing the hot water bottle at your feet, it can be much more effective if placed at your groin. This core position allows the heat to travel through your entire body and warm you much faster than at your feet.

Cover your head at night

A skull cap or beanie is necessary while winter camping. This item will keep your head warm. Most people can’t completely close their sleeping bags and expect to sleep well. Using a cap on your head will help trap some of the heat that might otherwise escape through your head. Make sure you have more than one of these warm hats because you might start sweating through your head at night and need to change to a new beanie in the morning.

Vent your tent to stay dry

Airflow is an important part of camping during any time of the year, but mostly in the winter. The most miserable campers are those who closed everything off to create their own little heat trap. In the morning, all the warm air that was breathed out will have formed condensation on the tent that drips back on their stuff. This means they have a full day of being wet, cold, and miserable ahead of them, which isn’t fun or safe. Open the vents of your tent, at least a little, and prevent being entombed in a tent covered in frost or moisture in the morning.

Eat and drink lots

Your body burns calories and loses water during winter camping more than when you camp in the summer. It seems odd, but your internal furnace is always trying to keep you warm, but you have to feed that furnace. This means you should have meals filled with fats and proteins to keep you warmer longer. You also need to drink lots of water to stay warm. Its easy to forget to drink water and become dehydrated because its cold outside.

Heated items are great

Hand warmers, heated gloves, and heated boots can make all the difference when you’re facing extremely cold temperatures during winter camping. These items help keep your hands and feet warm, which you need to use during various tasks.

Use these tips for your winter camping adventures, and stay warm, dry, and comfortable while in the cold wilderness.