Camping is great all year round, but many people prefer to plan their trip during the fall season when the landscape has breathtaking reds and oranges. Some people like to spend time outdoors during the winter as well, when campgrounds are less crowded.
But camping during these cold seasons is very different compared to when you go during the warmer seasons like summer and spring. There are more things to consider. Most 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 very important to know what you are going to encounter when it comes to the weather during your trip. The best way to stay warm is to be informed in advance, so you know what to prepare, what to bring and what to expect.
Check the weather forecast and trends. You can also do research about recent terrain changes and trail closures for your chosen location. Best if you call the park ranger to be updated.
Pack the essentials
Proper clothing and sleeping gear are of utmost importance to help fight the cold outdoors. When packing your clothes, bring layers — preferably synthetic fleece base layers. Gloves, thick socks, boots, and a cold-weather hat are important.
When it comes to sleeping gear, a closed cell foam sleeping pad, sleeping bag (with the right temperature rating) and space/heating blanket are perfect.
Pee before bed
You don’t want to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom when it’s cold out. Also, your body will expend a lot of energy to keep urine inside your body when your bladder is full, so it’s best to empty it before you hit the bag.
Keep a hot water bottle inside your sleeping bag
During winters or really cold nights, one thing you can try to keep warm is to fill a water bottle with hot water and then place it inside a sleeping bag between your legs. Wrap a cloth around it if it gets too hot. It will be like a sauna inside your sleeping bag.
Keep yourself above the ground
For cold weather camping, it is ideal to bring two sleeping pads to place between the sleeping bag and the ground. Basically, the farther you are from the cold ground, the warmer you will be!
Consider these 5 effective ways to keep warm when camping in cold weather!