Winter camping is a challenging outdoor activity. These trips give each participant a fresh, pristine natural beauty and peaceful winter scenery. However, some particular pitfalls come along with these positive aspects. And you wonder, “how to plan for safe camping in the winter?” Tips and packing lists with everything that you will need if you want to enjoy a winter camping experience. Find details about winter camping.
Related Read: How to Go Camping With Teens Without Losing Your Mind
A successful winter camping requires a detailed plan and careful preparation. To minimize the dangers and difficulties, this article will share some of the information that you need to know when planning your own excursion.
Overwhelming information can easily happen, so this section will focus on three important things that affect your whole trip: preparation, clothing, and gear.
1. Preparation
Before going on your journey, a detailed preparation will certainly help you to reach your trip’s goal.
• Research your destination: Check the basic travel information such as weather, maps, transportation, dangerous warming, emergency number, etc. Make sure you have the information about blizzards or possible storms at your destination fully and stay away from the avalanche area.
• Set up a specific plan: Write down your trip schedule and plan obviously. You must include in it the necessary information, your destination, your partners’ contact. And make sure that someone who isn’t on your team knows your plan exactly as well as your trip length.
• Have a companion or a team: The dangers always lurk the traveler who executes the journey alone. Having a buddy or a team especially the experts who have winter skills to share and experience together helps you tackle numerous problems.
2. Clothing
Since this is the harsh season and unexpected temperatures, you want to make sure that you treat yourself to a warm and dry clothing. An outfit that protects you safely through winter requires three layers:
• The basic layer: This is the foundation garment of your body or also known as your underwear (including shirts, pants, socks). By being the closest to your skin, choosing the outfit can keep your skin away from moisture and perspiration. Avoid using cotton material and prioritize the synthetic fabric or animal fiber. Normally, you may want to wear two base layers for your ideal warming.
• The middle layer: This is the insulating and warming layer that directly preserves your body heat. Find the clothing made of expedition-weight fleece or microfleece to retain optimal temperature.
• The outer layer: This is the windproof or waterproof shell that prevents natural dangers from you. The ideal product shall be made of polyurethane-coated fabrics. But they can’t expel moisture and heat due to lack of cores and underneath vents. Hence, the best option is laminate. And don’t forget to cover your head and hands by using hat and glove to keep your stable heat.
• Boots: A stepping-stone on every journey is a good pair of shoes. A typical hiking boot is widely used. However, there should be winter or mountaineering boots for better insulation and water resistance. Also, wearing snowshoes will help you to simply walk over the snowy landscapes without you sinking into the snow. According to ShoeAdviser, the right pair of snowshoes will offer the most traction, the flotation and stability are as important as the other attributes in this type of footwear.
3. Equipment
Special equipment for winter camping is also one of the essentials needed when preparing for a safe trip. Buy avalanche equipment to be extra prepared.
• Tent: Basically, it is better to carry a mountaineering tent that is much heavier than a 3-season tent for excellent snow and wind obstruction. Before purchasing, you must consider outstanding features such as an easy set-up, firm structure, solid material, dual doors. To stay away from the melting snow water, prepare two ground pads to cover your tent on the top and bottom.
• Sleeping bag: You may expect your coldest temperature when encountering is rated at least 9 degrees lower than your sleeping bag temperature. Vent it whenever you feel too warm. Its material must be ventilated but still retain the heat.
• Backpack: To fill up your safety feeling, a standard bag is lightweight and can hold as many items as possible is necessary. Do not forget to tie large objects to secure them.
• Devices: It’s almost impossible to use your mobile as well as electricity. Equip satellite phones, or two-way radios help you keep in touch with the world. Besides, to protect yourself through the night, bring along the lighting and extra batteries.
• Other gear: Depending on your purpose, the other equipment is needed (lighters for a campfire, cooking utensils, first-aid kit, etc.) Moreover, the entertainment tools such as a hiking camera to capture the amazing sceneries in winter, a hammock, or fishing poles should be carried to release your worries.
Conclusion
No matter how difficult or dangerous that will occur in winter camping, the basic knowledge mentioned above will be the key to the success of your trip without any problems. I believe you figured out “how to plan for safe camping in the winter.” Let me know if you have any comments or suggestions by leaving the message in the box below.
Author Bio: Luna Anderson is an avid camper from Phoenix, Arizona. She loves the outdoors and she wants to show people the endless possibilities of this world and open their mind to experience over possession. You can find useful tips on hiking, camping, and survival skills in her blog hikertrack.com.
