I know that most people see winter camping and they quickly run in the opposite direction. I understood. Cold and unpredictable weather makes winter camping look like what only crazy people do. However, if you just stop thinking about it for a second, winter camping has many advantages. Just because it is cold, it does not mean that you have to put the tent down. Winter camping means fewer crowds, fewer (or no) errors, there is no need for a cooler, and it just feels alive! After the first time you didn’t come on your winter camping trip and spend the night knocking your teeth in your sleeping bag, you’ll understand how much you take for granted the simple comfort of your daily life, as a warm, dry place to put your head on every night. .
I traveled several times to a winter camp in Alaska, where I grew up, and they were certainly memorable, to say the least. I will never forget the time when I climbed Mount Flattop, a popular place in the Anchorage area (more here), and stopped at the top in a dead winter. Even with a spatial blanket, a very expensive sleeping bag, long johns, a woolen hat and the warmest sweater and sweatpants that could buy my teenage money, I was still stuck on my ass all night. I swore I would no longer do that.
The reality is that winter camping is, without a doubt, a kind of animal. Most people do not hibernate in the camp just for this. Instead, it is usually one of the aspects of pursuing your other epic winter adventures, such as backcountry skiing, winter hunting (such as deer or elk) or mountaineering. With this in mind, we compiled this checklist for winter camping to ensure safety, survival and basic comfort in the elements. Stay safe friends!
1. Insulation
Without a doubt, this is the most important part of enjoying your winter camping trip. People naturally feel bad in a cold climate, so staying warm is important for survival. You should have the following:
-Water litter (long socks and wool socks)
- Important outerwear (sweater, pants, vest, jacket)
-Ghats and gloves
- Lifting sleeping pillow (the pillow with air helps you to catch heat)
-Cold-rated sleeping bag (make sure it is rated for lower temperatures that you expect)
-Space (just in case)
2. Fire
It is difficult to stay warm outside when you relax in the winter, if you do not have a fire. Heck! It is difficult to stay warm even in summer, especially if you are resting at higher altitudes, so you always want to carry backup copies if one of the sources of fire does not work. You need:
-Cars or lighters
- Waterproof container
-Firestarter (flint or something like that)
3. Shelter
Either a tent or a hammock will do its job. I personally am a huge fan of camping in a hammock, because everything around is much more convenient, easier to carry and customize, and it can be falsified above the ground, otherwise you would not want to put up a tent. However, if you are taking a winter camping hammock, you must make sure that you have a fully closed hammock so that you are not exposed to cold wind / air and can remain better insulated in it at night.
4. Repair kit and tools
You never know when something can break or go wrong, so there is always a repair kit and some tools close to fixing equipment or jurors. You must have:
-Book or multitool
- Whales for your tent oven, tent and sleeping area.
-Scotch
5. First aid kit
Being exposed to the elements and away from any hospital means a higher risk of injury and complications from this injury, so always keep a first aid kit with you. REI, put together this excellent First Aid Kit checklist, and here you can purchase one of the best Amazon first aid kits.
6. Lighting
Let's face it, it's very dark in winter, especially in the northern parts of North America, so lighting is necessary when your large cozy fire is not enough. You must have:
-Headlamp (for all that requires two hands)
-Book flashlight
- Beech batteries
7. Hydration
In order not to carry tons of heavy water around your trip, invest in a good water filtration system and simply refill your water bottles in a nearby stream or river before your camping. Another option, if there is a decent amount of snow on the ground, is to drain the snow to a boil and keep it there for one minute to clear it.
8. Sun Protection
If there is snow on the ground and it is sunny, your exposure to UV rays is even higher than on the beach in Hawaii. The snow reflects the sun very well, so if necessary, keep a sunscreen, sunglasses and an SPF splash shield.
9. Food
Outside of your standard scheduled fare, it is always wise to have an extra day just in case. Winter camping means burning a lot more calories to stay warm, so keeping backup rations will never be a bad idea.
10. Navigation
Make several backups, except phone. Most likely, you will not even have cellular reception, so make sure that you have a map and a compass as backup copies for digital devices.
