Winter Camping Tips for Beginners
So this is it โ youโve read our previous article on why you should be camping this winter and you canโt believe you havenโt done it sooner! You canโt wait to embrace the cold temperatures and leave your hustling home life behind in search of some peace and solitude. Youโve picked your campsite, packed your bag and youโre ready to embark on your winter adventure.
As a novice winter camper, we want to help you prepare for the wintry conditions and make best use of your equipment and camping gear. Hereโs 8 handy tips and hacks for a more enjoyable (and warmer) winter camping experience:
1. If in doubt, pack some more
Unlike other weekend trips (unless youโre me who will squeeze a weekโs worth of clothes into an overnight bag) winter camping requires back-up for every possible scenario. What if you drop a glove in the fire or a fierce wind blows your hat down a canyon? Spare essentials are always a blessing. You can never have too many hats, gloves or socks.
2. Your winter kit checklist
Alongside your essential essentials, here is a short list of other basic gear to pack for this time of year:
- Waterproof gaiters will help prevent snow from drenching your socks and will also help to trap warmth.
- Hand/feet warmers are great if you need to get heat to your fingers and toes fast.
- Sunglasses will protect your eyes from the wind and bright winter sun.
- A pair of mittens are ideal for tasks that require fingers as they can be pulled on and off quickly.
- Layers are vital in cold weather and will help regulate your body temperature. Make sure you have base, mid and outer layers โ you can always remove clothing as you warm up. Avoid cotton and instead opt for breathable synthetic or wool materials as your base layer.
- Thermal underwear. Trust me, youโll appreciate it.
3. Stock up on fire-wood and batteries
At this time of year, firewood is limited but chances are you will want to build a decent sized fire. It is useful to bring your own supply of firewood, plus plenty of paper and fire starters. Your winter camping experience will be much more enjoyable next to a roaring fire.
Forgotten your fire starters? Not to worry. Read our article on how to make fire using ice and not only will you learn a key winter survival skill, you will also have an impressive party trick.
As for batteries, lighting is very important for those dark early nights. Headlamps, torches and lanterns are all good items to pack. Those spare batteries will be a lifesaver if your old ones run out (and in winter conditions itโs highly likely).
4. Layers arenโt just for clothes
It is a good idea to bring an extra sleeping pad or two to prevent the cold air coming up from the ground and through your sleeping bag. If you still feel the chill, you can layer some clothes underneath you โ choose the next dayโs clothes as they will be nice and cosy before you put them on.
Another pro tip โ keep your mobile and any other electronics with you inside your sleeping bag to help prevent moisture from the air damaging them. It will also help preserve their battery life.
5. Improvise with a DIY bed heater
Boil some water, fill your day bottle (I recommend Tritan), seal tightly and voila! โ You have a make-shift hot water bottle. You can then place at the bottom of your sleeping bag for a toasty nightโs sleep.
NOTE: Don’t try this with a plastic water bottle. Make sure the material can withhold hot water
6. Winter means carbs, protein and more carbs
In contrast to summer where salads and light meals are sufficient, winter calls for more nourishing meals to boost your calorie intake. Remember, your body needs between 3,000 and 6,000 calories a day replenish your energy levels in this colder environment.
Hearty stews, pasta and rice dishes are good examples, as long as you have a balance of carbohydrates, protein and fats. Take a look at this article for more food ideas that are ideal for winter camping.
Donโt forget your hot drinks too – not only to keep you hydrated but for extra warmth on those cold nights. You can thank me later!
7. Boil snow for drinking water
You donโt need a water filter for winter camping if you are surrounded by snow. Plan to bring around three times more fuel if you plan on doing this so you can share between cooking and boiling snow.
Camping hack โ At night, fill a large water drum and store it upside down. If it is a particularly cold night, ice will form from the top down which means the opening is less likely to be frozen when you wake up.
8. Stay safe with Pocket Rangerยฎ
The Pocket Rangerยฎ app is a free guide for every state which provides information on campsites, state parks per region, trails, weather, fees and much more. You can download GPS maps for offline use and if you run into trouble, an alert button can be activated which locates your GPS coordinates and sends to a designated emergency contact.
Conclusion
This list is by no means exhaustive โ people will pick up plenty of their own tips after experiencing winter camping for the first time. One thing that I did in preparation was testing out my equipment beforehand so that I wouldnโt struggle in the cold. It was much easier to put my tent up/down knowing where each pole went and a lot quicker rolling up my sleeping bag after Iโd worked out the best way to get it in the carrier.
Most of these things depend on your location, the weather, campground facilities etc. Check all of these things in advance so you can properly prepare for your individual trip. If there is anything you would change about your winter camping experience, you will know for next time (Iโm confident there will be a next time)!
Do you have any camping tips to share? Iโd love to hear about them in the comments!
Hayley is from the UK and has a passion for the outdoors, taking regular hiking trips with her Australian fiancรฉ. When she is not hiking, she is working as a freelance writer in Glasgow or travelling the highlands in Neil, her campervan.ย