by B. Leslie Baird

Created on: November 30, 2010

When thinking about camping most people think of camping in the spring, summer or fall. Camping in winter brings images of snow and hard frozen ground. Winter camping can be enjoyable but staying warm and dry is critical to the enjoyment of the experience. Of course you could just bring along your RV or rent a cabin and pretend you are camping but the right equipment is what really makes the difference.

Tent:

Without a good quality tent your hopes of staying warm and dry may be quickly dashed. A four season rated tent is a must and not all tents are rated for winter weather. Your tent needs to be weatherproof and have a rain fly. Ventilation flaps are also needed to keep moisture from building up inside the tent from your body heat and breathing.

Dome style tents will shed snow and water more easily than other shapes. You will also need a tent that can stand up to wind and be staked into the ground well. A ground tarp will protect the bottom of your tent from any damage caused by frozen ground and give you an extra layer from the cold.

Sleeping bags:

Make sure you have a good quality sleeping bag and check the temperature rating for it. Down filled bags tend to be warmer than other types but try to find a bag that has a waterproof exterior. Sleeping bags that zip up completely around you, mummy style, will keep you warmer than regular bags by retaining more heat. The ground itself is also colder and may be frozen during winter camping so having a good layer between you and it will make for much better sleeping. An inflatable mattress or futon type pad could be well worth taking along.

Clothing:

There are several rules to follow with regards to the clothing you need to stay warm and dry while camping in the winter. This is one case when less is not more, take extra clothing with you. Pants, shirts, socks, gloves and hats can all get wet. Having a dry change of clothing will make a big difference. In the winter clothing will take longer to dry unless you can hang it near a campfire so a few extras items can make a big difference. Synthetic materials will retain more heat even if they become wet so they are a good choice.

Dressing in layers is the best way to keep warm in winter whether you are camping or not. Layering will also help you if you become involved in any sweat producing activities. If the clothing layer closest to your skin is wet you will not be comfortable so the ability to just change out that layer will help you stay warmer. Layers can also be

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>