Camping is great all year round, but plenty of people like to plan their trip during the fall season where the nature views have breath-taking hues of red and orange. Some people prefer to spend time outdoors during winter, too, as the campgrounds are less crowded.
But camping during these cold seasons is quite different compared to when you go during warmer seasons like summer and spring. There are more things to consider. More importantly, your goal is to keep warm.
Follow these effective ways to keep warm when camping in cold weather:
Know before you go
It is highly important that you know what you will be up against when it comes to the weather during your trip. The best way to stay warm is to be informed beforehand, so you know what to prepare, what to bring and what to expect.
Check the weather forecasts and trends. You can also do research about recent changes in the terrain and trail closures of your chosen location. Best if you contact the park’s ranger to be updated.
Pack the essentials
The right clothing and sleeping gear are paramount to help fight the cold outdoors. When packing your clothes, bring layers – preferably synthetic and wool base layers. Gloves, thick socks, boots and cold-weather hat are important.
When it comes to sleeping gear, a closed cell foam sleeping pad, a sleeping bag (with the appropriate temperature rating) and a warming/space blanket are ideal.
Pee Before You Sleep
You wouldn’t want to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom when it’s freezing cold. Also, your body will be dispensing a lot of energy keeping the pee inside your body when your bladder is full, so it’s best to empty it out before you hit the sack.
Keep a hot water bottle inside your sleeping bag
During winter or really cold nights, one thing you can try to help keep warm is to fill your water bottle with hot water then put it inside your sleeping bag in between your legs. Wrap a cloth around it if it’s too hot. It will act like a sauna inside your sleeping bag.
Keep yourself above the ground
For cold weather camping, it’s ideal to bring 2 sleeping pads to put between your sleeping bag and the ground. Basically, the further you are away from the cold ground, the warmer you’ll be!
Keep in mind these 5 effective ways to keep warm when camping in cold weather!
