Beginners Guide to Winter Camping

Solitude, beauty and yes, even comfort, await - if you go about it right.

Yo campers!
Hangin' with my relatives for the holidays has me fat, happy...and constantly looking out the window thinking about nights in the winter-silenced woods. So here's a checklist for those of you who've thought about camping in the chill season, but haven't tried it yet.

Preparation:
[] For your first camp-out, pick a scenic and sheltered destination that's not far from retreat. You don't need to go any farther than land management regulations or road noise require. If things go wrong, you can bail.

[] Choose a location with available firewood. You may not want a fire, but that way one is available if needed.

[] Camp near open water if possible, so you don't have to spend all your time melting snow. If you'll need to melt snow, plan on using three times the fuel you would for normal summer camping.

[] Know the weather forecast before you go. Don't get surprised by sudden cold, storm, wind, or even a thaw that will make for soaking wet conditions.

Gear:
[] Dress in layers, and have the gear to overdress. You'll need more clothes than you would for day-long activities like skiing.

[] Make sure your sleeping bag will suffice for long, cold nights. If you don't have a winter bag, take two 3-season bags and nest one inside the other. Check the combination at home for fit and interior space.

[] Your boots need to be warm and waterproof. If you just own light hikers, go buy a cheap pair of snowmobile/moon boots. Support is less important than warmth here. Make sure they fit well and are durable enough for your trip.

[] Don't cram extra socks into your boots unless there's plenty of room for them. Tight-fitting boots will cut off circulation rather than keeping your feet warm.

[] Many three-season tents are perfectly adequate unless you expect heavy snow or high winds.

[] White gas stoves are best for winter, but in most conditions alcohol or canister stoves work fine. For cartridge stoves, avoid 80/20 butane/propane canisters (use isobutane), and warm cartridges in your sleeping bag or parka before firing up.

[] Hats and handwear are important. Choose a thick, warm hat. Mittens are more versatile than gloves, just pull them off briefly for dexterity needs.

[] Don't forget sunglasses and sunscreen. Reflective snow can cook you, especially from late February on.

[] Bring a good headlamp with fresh batteries. You'll want lots of light to deal with long nighttime hours.

On Your Hike:
[] If the snow is shallower than about one foot, don't worry about skis or snowshoes. Keep it simple. You'll want gaiters though.

[] Turn around frequently to survey your route, so you'll recognize it more easily on the way out, should snow or wind obscure your tracks. (A good idea in all seasons).

[] It's easier to stay warm than it is to re-warm. Don't let yourself get chilled, or sweaty. Anticipate upcoming temperature and layering changes to stay ahead of them. For example, it's smarter to layer up just before reaching a windy ridge top than it is to top out, get chilled, and then fight against the wind while layering up.

[] Don't forget to drink. It's easy to get dehydrated in winter.

[] You need calories to stay warm, so don't let yourself get hungry, but don't overdo it either.

At Camp:
[] Put on all your warm clothes immediately upon arrival. Preserve the heat you generated on the hike in.

[] When camping on snow, stomp out a tent platform immediately using skis, snowshoes or just boots and a shovel. Make it larger than you think you'll need, and be fanatic about packing it flat. Then let it set up hard before trying to pitch your tent.

[] Set up camp so you can cook food and drinks from your sleeping bag. If you cook in a vestibule, prime your stove outside the tent, then bring it in. Allow for plenty of ventilation.

[] Plan to spend lots of bag time, so have an activity to pass the dark hours, like a book, good conversation, games, or simple but multi-course meals.

[] If you start to chill, don't just sit there in misery. Go on a walk, do sit-ups or deep knee bends. Generate metabolic heat.

[] Hot water bottles also work miracles for chilled campers. Placed close to your body underneath clothes or bag, they'll pump heat for about six hours.

[] Mornings are the toughest time for winter camping. Temps are usually coldest just before dawn, and you'll emerge from your bag inactive and easily chilled. Get up and go for a walk. Then come back and break camp once you've warmed up.

Got your own favorite winter camping tips? Cough 'em up in the comments section.

--Steve Howe

(Photo by Mark Carroll)

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READERS COMMENTS

I have enjoyed winter sports for years. I have been out in temps below a neg. 40 before Ice fishing and I have found that clothing and boots make all the difference. If you are headed into the woods or mountains in winter I would highly recommend wool clothing. Wool works as an insulator even wet. During hunting season my wool coat that I sit in would keep me warm even in the coldest and wettest conditions. After two weeks of being in the woods all day my coat would gain 10 pounds of water and about the same for my wool pants, still kept me warm even close to zero F . Same with long underwear. Be careful of the synthetics they are not created equal. Always test your clothing before taking it in the field.
Posted: Feb 07, 2012 Pete

Winter is a good time, especially if you are in an area new to you, to keep a compass in your pocket. It is easy in snowy conditions to get turned around. Tracks get covered, the sun is not visible, light is diffused, & landmarks can't be seen. I carry a pocket compass & occasionally look at it to verify & recalibrate my internal compass. I also turn around to view my return route. Free Tip: Be aware of sinus pressure. I notice that when I have a sinus headache, the needle on my internal compass doesn't turn as freely.
Posted: Feb 07, 2012 Steve Cash

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Thanks for the write up! I found it really helpful! You covered some things I definitely would've forgotten for my trip! I just recently purchased a new sleeping bag (ARCTIC 800 PRIMALOFT by liberty mountain) for my trip from www.pkcampingequipment.com. The website has alot less expensive sleeping bags but I went for the top grade since I really feel the cold! If you're like me, I recommend this sleeping bag because I stayed warmer than I anticipated and had a great trip!
Posted: Dec 27, 2011 Jack

Posted: Nov 13, 2011 Anonymous

That�s a pretty thorough write up, lot of helpful information there. As kind of a newbie to camping (it was never a �thing� in my family), it�s wonderful how many great camping tips you can learn from others who are happy to share their experiences for free on those blogs. I don�t know if you guys have heard of it but as a DISH Network employee and camping self-proclaimed �camping enthusiast�, I�m trying to get the word out on this awesome new piece of hardware that I think a lot of folks are going to enjoy. It�s called the Tailgater and it�s an awesome little self contained, self-pointing dish that gets you HD television wherever you go. Check it out here: http://goo.gl/vd4M4, it�s definitely worth a few minutes of your time.
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Posted: Jan 20, 2011 Camping in Rishikesh

http://wintercampinggear.org has name brand winter gear at reasonable prices
Posted: May 22, 2010 Anonymous

Great winter camping gear is available at http://wintercampinggear.org
Posted: May 16, 2010 hans

The biggest problem I've experienced with winter camping is that good gear sometimes gets pretty expensive. Is <a href="http://wintercampinggear.org">discount camping gear</a> or used gear as good as the new stuff?
Posted: May 07, 2010 Anonymous

Avoid 80/20 canisters? I don't get it. Most 80/20 canisters are 80% isobutane and 20% propane. An 80/20 mix is going to burn better than 100% isobutane. Now, if the 80/20 is just regular butane then what you're saying would make sense, but most of the canisters I've seen are pro-iso (MSR, Jetboil, Snowpeak).
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 Hikin' Jim

sleep on the stove cook ur self dumb good eatin
Posted: Feb 12, 2009 jumper cable 21

well ur not retarted durdurudururur. Camp in sleepig bag stupid bleep head
Posted: Feb 12, 2009 ilyunuyhbbth

great site need improvement tho
Posted: Feb 12, 2009 dfgdf

"Cook from your sleeping bag are you serious? First, if you're in bear country this is beyond ridiculous and second, if your stove falls over in your tent good luck"

You do realize bears hibernate in the winter? Many people put the stove in the vestibule and their body in their bag, in the tent while they cook. If the stove falls over all you did was melt/season some snow.
Posted: Jan 26, 2009 Brad

When doing winter day hikes (no snow or precip) from a campground with electricity, I have run a extension cord to the tent with a heating pad in the foot of a 35 degree sleeping bag. Slept comfortable and toasty. Tossed in a water bottle at the bottom and had water for the morning as well. Pee bottle is a must in cold weather.
Posted: Jan 24, 2009 MC

Cook from your sleeping bag are you serious? First, if you're in bear country this is beyond ridiculous and second, if your stove falls over in your tent good luck
Posted: Jan 23, 2009 Matt