There’s nothing wrong with only bringing out your tent after the risk of spring frost has passed, but camping in winter has its own charm. A sudden snow flurry or temperatures flirting with freezing shouldn’t hold you back from heading out with your tent. With these tips, you’ll camp even in the frost without chattering teeth.
Clothing
- Layers are always important, even more so in cold temperatures. Three layers, in particular, are key. The (thermal) base layer fits snugly against your body and wicks away sweat; merino wool is ideal. The middle layer keeps you warm—think fleece, a wool jumper, and/or a down jacket. The outer layer keeps you dry and blocks the wind.
- Speaking of sweat, if you work up a sweat hiking or cycling during the day, it will cool down once you stop and make you feel cold. Avoid sweating as much as possible by adjusting your layers as needed. Take something off when you’re too warm, but don’t wait until you’re too cold to put an extra layer on. Staying warm is much easier than warming up again once you’re cold.
- Avoid cotton at all costs. It doesn’t wick sweat, and once wet, it’ll make you cold in no time.
- When your tent is up, it’s best to put on dry clothes. Never go to sleep in clothes that have become damp during the day. It’s not pleasant to strip down in freezing weather, but dry clothes will immediately make you feel warmer.
- Avoid wet feet—the fastest way to get hypothermia. Wear waterproof hiking boots that can handle snow and mud, and bring plenty of dry socks. If you’ll be walking in deep snow, opt for winter or mountain boots, possibly with gaiters.
- A lot of heat is lost through your head, so cover it well when you crawl into your sleeping bag. Hats and hoods often slip off at night, but a balaclava won’t. Add a hat over it if needed for extra warmth.
- Wool socks will also help keep your feet pleasantly warm in your sleeping bag.
Tent and Equipment
- Layer up on sleeping mats. Beginning winter campers often think they need extra blankets, but the cold mostly comes from underneath. By placing an extra insulation mat, a fleece blanket, or a sheepskin under your sleeping mat, you’ll be better insulated. Ideally, bring a sleeping mat with an R-value higher than five.
- Make sure you have a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature significantly lower than the lowest temperature you expect. Ideally, the comfort temperature should be up to ten degrees below what the forecast predicts. A close-fitting sleeping bag, preferably with a hood that you can tighten, will make you lose the least amount of body heat.
- It’s tempting to crawl as deep as possible into your sleeping bag—don’t! Make sure you can breathe freely; otherwise, you’ll get cooling condensation inside your bag.
- A small tent warms up more easily than a large one, so take a tent that’s just big enough instead of lugging around Uncle George’s oversized army tent.
- Should you invest in a winter tent? Only if you’ll be camping in winter regularly or going on a polar expedition. Winter tents retain heat better and are sturdier in strong winds, but they’re unsuitable in summer. At temperatures around zero, you can also use a three-season tent with the necessary precautions.
- Ventilate your tent. It may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s crucial. You breathe in and out all night, spreading warm water vapour inside the tent. When it hits the cold tent fabric, it causes condensation and covers everything in a layer of frost. Open the ventilation panels to avoid waking up in an icy tent.
- If you’re winter camping with a car, nothing stops you from bringing as many extra blankets as you want for ground insulation or to put over your sleeping bag. When travelling on foot, the challenge is greater; light and warm items are often costly. Consider adding a quilt or a liner to your sleeping bag—both are featherweight and add considerable warmth.
- A hot water bottle can help—just make sure it’s well-sealed. Place it near your core rather than your feet; it’ll warm your whole body.
Setting Up the Tent
- Days are short in winter, so try to set up your tent while it’s still light. Even a weak sun can feel good, and temperatures drop quickly after sunset.
- Choose your spot carefully. Ideally, natural buffers like shrubs, trees, or rocks protect your tent from the wind. Also, consider where the sun will rise; on a chilly morning, it makes all the difference when you have to crawl out of your tent.
- Camping on snow? Pack the snow down well; the flatter it is, the better it insulates. Use snow pegs in deep snow.
Eating and drinking while winter camping
- Your body burns a lot of calories to stay warm, so regular snacking is the best way to keep your internal heater running. Eat right before bed; digestion will produce heat. Choose a high-fat, high-protein meal for the same reason—they burn slower than carbohydrates and keep you warmer longer. Keep a quick snack nearby at night as well.
- Choose simple meals that require little or no washing up, like freeze-dried food packs. Keep lunch quick and simple, as you’ll cool down quickly if you linger. Bear in mind that certain foods—like energy bars, peanut butter, and gels—turn rock-hard at freezing temperatures. Chocolate works well, though.
- Drink plenty of water. A tired and dehydrated body doesn’t stay warm as easily. If that means getting up for a midnight loo break, so be it—don’t put it off. Your body expends a lot of energy heating a full bladder.
- If you don’t have a thermos, store water bottles upside down at night since water freezes from the top down.
- A gas stove with standard butane won’t work well or at all in the cold; go for a mix with propane.
- More tips on how to cook during camping trips.
Extra Tips for Winter Camping
- Hypothermia is dangerous and potentially deadly. Familiarise yourself with its symptoms and stay vigilant.
- A sleeping bag is more like a thermos than a microwave: it doesn’t warm you but retains heat. Do some exercises before going to bed and crawl in your sleeping bag warm.
- Walk before you run. Test your gear in autumn or spring before venturing out in winter. Or, camp in the garden for your first attempt, so you can head indoors if needed.
- In this blog post, you’ll find more tips on how to stay warm in a tent.
This article first appeared in Dutch on Pasar.